The winner of the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month award for November is...
Sky Bet League Two: Ian Evatt (Bolton Wanderers)
Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for November.
Evatt’s first task at Bolton was to halt and then turn around a juggernaut of doom by instilling a winning culture. He did that so successfully in November that 13 points were won from five unbeaten games with a 9-2 goal differential.
Evatt said: “We had some great results and performances in November and the award reflects that.
“We need to build on that momentum and continue improving.
“I’ve got a great staff alongside me and this award recognises their contribution just as much as mine.”
Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “It was a great month for Ian’s Bolton Wanderers. The team gathered 13 points in November which lifts them to just outside the play-offs after a difficult start to the campaign.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Prayers were answered in November, as it was vital to turn the tide after an unexpectedly poor start to the campaign. Ian Evatt deserves a lot of credit for turning the ship around during a difficult period.
“A run of five unbeaten games was the perfect tonic and the 13 points collected has left the outlook looking much rosier for the Wanderers.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “The original feeling was that Bolton would take to life in League Two at a canter and gain promotion straight back to League One at the first time of asking.
“Going into November however, Ian Evatt’s 5/1 pre-season favourites had won just two games from ten and found themselves in 19th place with just nine points.
“After a solid month though, which started with a win against Salford in front of the Sky cameras, things have slowly started to turn around for Evatt’s side, who put together four wins on the bounce to ease them away from the relegation zone and into mid table.
“This has got them looking up again and The Trotters are back into 7/2 for promotion from 11/2 at the start of the month. They can be backed at 25/1 to win the title this season.”
The winner of the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month award for November is...
Sky Bet League Two: Jevani Brown (Colchester United)
Colchester United striker Jevani Brown has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for November.
Thrust further forward from his usual central midfield role brought remarkable dividends with five goals in successive games against Stevenage and Leyton Orient. His finishing instincts may make the positional switch permanent.
Colchester manager Steve Ball said: “There was talk at the beginning of the season that we might have to go into the transfer market, but we felt that with Jevani’s talent and ability, he could do the job up there for us. From the off, he was excellent and he has really taken to it and accepted the responsibility.
“I have always thought that good goal scorers score different goals, and JB has proved that - he’s scored all kinds of goals: headers, chips, 1V1 with the keeper, a back-heel at Reading.
“When he was first told he had won, he was very quick to thank the rest of the lads and that shows how balanced he is. He had a fantastic month and fully deserves this award.”
Brown said: "To be honest, I was a bit lost for words when I first found out I’d won it. I know the award is for me and the goals I scored, but I’ve got to thank the lads for the assists and for their performances, without them I wouldn’t be getting this.
“Hopefully, I can continue in the coming months, help us to get more victories and win this award again.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “A slight tweak to the responsibilities a player has on the pitch can make all the difference sometimes, and Colchester’s decision to give Jevani Brown a more advanced role has had an instant impact.
“Pushed forward to create more chances for his side, Brown went further and took it upon himself to get amongst the goals. Five strikes in two games put Brown firmly on everyone’s radar, and put him in the driving seat for this deserved award.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Jevani Brown scored five goals during November including the first professional hat-trick of his career in a 5-1 win against Stevenage.
“Brown’s goals and performances have helped Colchester move up into the Play-Off places after a solid run of form last month and with not much between any of the teams in League Two they will be hoping to keep themselves in the promotion picture for as long as they can.
“On the back of Brown playing in a more advanced role recently - taking his total for the season to seven goals – we have cut his price of winning the League Two Golden Boot Award to 33/1 from 200/1.
“He would be an unlikely winner but might appeal to some each-way backers as there are a cluster of players on seven and eight goals respectively.”