The winner of the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month award for October is...
Michael Flynn (Newport County)
Newport County manager Michael Flynn has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for October.
The spirit Flynn has engendered in his Newport team continues to amaze and lead to remarkable feats. Three of their six victories in October, which lifted them top of League Two, were secured by winning goals from the 88th minute onwards.
Michael Flynn said: "It’s a reward for all of the players and the staff because I couldn’t do it all on my own. It’s a good appreciation and shows the togetherness that we’ve got.
"Every win is just as important because you can only get three points but, looking at it over the month, you would have to say that the 3-0 win against Bradford City was the most convincing in October. I thought we were very, very good against a good team at a tough place to go. That was very pleasing.
"We’ve installed belief into the players and our philosophy is keep going until the end. We never know when we’re beaten, but I think the way that we’re playing has been fantastic. We’re creating a lot of goalscoring opportunities and dominating possession now, which is very pleasing to say because we’re doing it our way. We’re playing attractive possession-based football and it’s given our just rewards. The players that have come in have adapted to that really well, and the players that were already here have taken it on board.
"You have different moments in different parts of the season, with the likes of the FA Cup runs, the play-offs at the end of the season and the excitement around the first game of the season. But looking at the points total, I think it’s the best we’ve had since I’ve been in charge. 18 points in a month is a fantastic effort and everyone involved with us deserves huge credit for that."
Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “Mike Flynn’s Newport County sit at the top of the table in October with an impressive 18 points gained from a possible 21.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “As a head coach, you need to be able to improve players and get them to buy into your philosophy, inspire them and get them to dig deep to gain rewards.
“As well as playing some great football, Michael Flynn can get his players to truly battle until the final whistle - that’s a combination that has them flying high in Sky Bet League Two.
“With three of their October victories coming inside the final moments, you can never count this team out.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Michael Flynn’s Newport are the surprise package in Sky Bet League Two this season and won five of their six games in October to finish the month top of the league.
“Newport were 33/1 to win the title before the season started but after an excellent start they are now into 9/2 favourites.
“Michael Flynn has done an excellent job so far this season with his side backing up their good results with the strongest key shot data in the league. They are as short as 11/10 to be promoted from 6/1 before a ball was kicked.”
The winner of the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month award for October is...
Paul Mullin (Cambridge United)
Cambridge United striker Paul Mullin has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for October.
After a second straight nomination for the hard-working forward, he picks up the first EFL Player of the Month award of his career. He scored eight in seven October games alone, even pirouetting for the third goal of his hat-trick against Port Vale.
Cambridge United manager Mark Bonner said: “He's had an outstanding start to the season. To be nominated month one and to win it in month two is a real credit to him. He's really continued his momentum and is always desperate to get back onto the pitch to maintain his current form.
"He'll be the first one to credit the players around him for creating the opportunities, but I have to say his goal return has been exceptional in the short period we have played so far and his overall contribution to the games have been excellent."
Mullin said: "I'm made up to win the award, but it's more a reflection of the team as a whole. It's the players around me who have created me the chances, and I'm very grateful that I've been able to put them away through October.
"I scored four goals in September but that wasn't enough to win that month's award, so I thought I'd double it in October! I'm obviously really pleased to have continued the strong start to the season, and to come back and win the award in the following month after being nominated in September is a good thing, but more importantly we've been picking up the points.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “It’s impossible to ignore a striker in the kind of form Paul Mullin enjoyed in October.
“The Cambridge front-man is playing the football of his life and everything he seems to touch in the 18-yard box turns to goals.
“Mullin was a nominee in September too, but a fabulous record of eight goals in seven games means he goes one better this time and the award is richly deserved.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Paul Mullin was in sensational goalscoring form during October.
“The Cambridge striker netted eight goals in seven games to take his tally to eleven for the season and move to the head of the betting for the Sky Bet League Two top scorer award at 11/4 - not bad for a striker who had never scored more than nine goals in a season before this one.
“Mullin started the season at a huge 100/1 before a ball was kicked to finish as Sky Bet League Two’s leading marksman.
“He’s already opened up a lead of five goals at the top of the tree, so we’ll see if Mullin and Cambridge can keep up their good form in the coming weeks.
“The U’s currently sit in second place and Sky Bet make them odds on at 8/11 to finish in the promotion picture within the top seven.”