The winner of the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month award for November is...
Sky Bet Championship: Vladimir Ivić (Watford)
Watford manager Vladimir Ivić has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for November.
His liking for a back five didn’t hamper Watford’s ability to attack with verve, matching 11 goals and 11 points from five unbeaten games. Successive home fixtures against Stoke, Coventry and Preston were won by a combined 10-3 scoreline.
Ivić said: “It’s very important for all of us, this is the work of my players and without them it’s impossible to be Manager of the Month.
“I’d also like to thank the coaching staff that worked with me through this really strong period and it’s important that we continue now.
“I can’t choose one game that stands out, because we had games where we had to survive to win – against Coventry & Stoke for example – and I believe that all of the games are a separate story.”
Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “Unbeaten in November, with an impressive 11 goals scored, Ivić propelled Watford into third position in the Championship.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Watford faced a pretty tough run of fixtures in November, but the Hornets passed the test with flying colours, accumulating 11 points from five games and going unbeaten in the process.
“Ivic arrived here with a huge reputation for moulding a water-tight defence that lead to success in previous jobs but it was scoring goals where they excelled in November, particularly at home where they netted 10 in three games.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Watford manager Vladimir Ivić had to rejig his formation last month due to injuries but his side were still impressive and went unbeaten in November, winning three and drawing the other two to take the Hornets up to third place in the Championship.
“This saw Sky Bet cut their title odds into 5/1 for the title from 7/1 at the start of the month.
“Ivić’s side were one of the favourites for the title prior to the season and they look to be well placed to be promoted straight back to the Premier League (7/4).”
The winner of the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for November is...
David Brooks (AFC Bournemouth)
AFC Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for November.
The midfielder is making up for the time he lost to injury last season. His dribbling skills allied to his desire to take on opponents brought him two goals and three assists in a three-game run in November – all of which Bournemouth won.
AFC Bournemouth manager, Jason Tindall, said: “David is fully deserving of this award.
“His injury problems last season were well-documented but he is fit, sharp and is consistently displaying the ability that we all know he possesses.
“David has the quality to unlock defences as well as chip in with goals – as he proved during November – and I’ve been delighted with his contribution to the team.”
David Brooks said: “The team have been doing well and although I’ve been chosen for this award, it could have gone to a few of our players, as we’ve had some excellent performances.
“I feel like I’m getting better with each game. I’m shaking off the rustiness with every minute on the pitch and enjoying being part of a winning team.
“Hopefully there’s more goals and assists to come and we can continue to stay near the top of the league.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “David Brooks was pivotal to Bournemouth’s success throughout November, and he really enhanced his reputation for being one of the very top players in the Championship.
“The dribbling ability of Brooks is a joy to behold at times, and he had the numbers to match last month, picking up a pair of crucial goals and three assists in games that his side went on to win.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “David Brooks was the catalyst for Bournemouth’s rise up to second in the Championship during November.
“Brooks missed all of October through injury and in his absence it was evident that the Cherries lacked creativity and struggled to break teams down.
“On his return to the team though Brooks scored two goals and assisted three more as he helped his side win three games on the bounce and on the back of this good form in turn we saw Bournemouth’s odds of winning the league slashed from 4/1 (at the start of November) into 2/1 favourites.”