The winner of the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month award for October is...
Neil Warnock (Middlesbrough)
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for October.
Not content with ten Manager of the Month awards already during his storied career, Warnock picks up another after guiding Boro through an unbeaten month with 14 points from six unbeaten games and into the Play-Off places.
Warnock said: “It’s been such a difficult time up in the north east, so it’s nice to be a bit of good news put a few smiles on faces. It’s a talking point for the fans, and the sooner we can get them back into stadiums the better.
“We’ve played some cracking football, and there’s great camaraderie in the squad. I can’t stress it enough how much I’ve enjoyed working with them. Everybody in the dressing room wants to listen, and the way some of them have improved, that’s what I enjoy most in management.”
Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “After surpassing 1,500 games in management this month, Neil Warnock continues to show his experience with Boro going unbeaten in October with a 14 point return and only two goals conceded.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “No stranger to this award, Neil Warnock seems to bring the best out of any group of players he’s given to work with.
“The 71-year-old has been a breath of fresh air at Boro so far and it was great to see his side go undefeated during the month of October.
“The Teessiders have the look of a side capable of a Play-Off run and in this kind of form, why not?”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough went undefeated in October, winning four games and drawing the other two to leave them fifth in the table going, as the veteran manager aims for what would be a record extending ninth promotion in English football this season.
“Boro were 8/1 for promotion with Sky Bet at the start of the season, but on the back of Warnock doing an excellent job at tightening up their defence, they’re now 5/1 for promotion and 18/1 for the title.”
The winner of the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for October is...
Ivan Toney (Brentford)
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for October.
Any doubts about his ability to replicate League One form in the Championship were dispelled in a blistering spell of eight goals in six games, showcasing his positioning and poaching instincts, bravery in the air and underrated link-up play.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank said: “Ivan is growing and his goals are of course the talking point, but for me goals are one thing.
“They are hugely important and it’s massive that he has already got into double figures. However, in terms of his link-up play and his workrate and the pressure, he is getting better and better on that and getting fitter and fitter so I’m really pleased with him for that as well.”
Toney said: “It is my job to score goals. I've come to a club where the striker gets a lot of chances.
“I am thankful to the players around me because they are putting it on a plate for me and it is just my job to finish those chances.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Ivan Toney, has burst on to the Championship scene and Brentford’s recent tradition of showcasing young, attacking talent is on full display yet again, with Toney performing exceptionally well over the last month of action. Eight goals in six games says it all, the Bees have yet another star on their hands.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Having scored just once in his first five matches for Brentford, Ivan Toney hit his straps in October with eight goals in six matches.
“This has reinforced his place at the head of the betting for Sky Bet Championship top scorer this season. He’s now 6/4 from 10/1 at the start of the month.
“Sky Bet rate Brentford as the best side in the division and looking at our expected goals table they sit top and, meaning The Bees can count themselves a little unfortunate to be sitting in mid table.
“We will be keeping a close eye on them going forward and Toney’s goals could be the difference this season in firing Brentford into the Premier League for the first time.”