The September nominations for the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month Award are:
Steve Cooper (Swansea City)
As befits a former national age group coach, Cooper is accustomed to rebuilding a nucleus every year. It allowed him to make a seamless transition between seasons, collecting seven points from nine despite losing key players from his play-off squad.
Dean Holden (Bristol City)
A perfect three wins have transformed the mood at Ashton Gate which was one of trepidation given City’s summer tailspin. For reasons, look no further than Holden’s shrewd recruitment policy and his tactical deployment of players.
Veljko Paunovic (Reading)
Paunovic was another managerial appointment which left the Reading fans nonplussed. That was until his new team earned nine points from nine in September. His players’ attitude and battling style have won them over, too.
Jason Tindall (Bournemouth)
For all that he learned from Eddie Howe, Tindall is still a novice manager tasked with regaining Bournemouth’s Premier League status. The squad’s best players were sold, too, so seven points from three difficult fixtures is an impressive start.
The September nominations for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month Award are...
Craig Cathcart (Watford) – central defender
The Northern Ireland international has been the lynchpin to a Watford back three which didn’t concede a league goal in September. His reading of play is often underrated, while he also found time to head home the winner against Middlesbrough.
Bradley Johnson (Blackburn Rovers) – midfielder
The driving force behind Blackburn’s rampaging start to the season, scoring three goals all from outside the area and being involved in the moves that led to three more from a more advanced midfield role than he enjoyed last season.
Jamie Paterson (Bristol City) - striker
Two goals and an assist for a player who has spent most of his career searching for the consistency to match his mercurial talents. Always willing to stretch a defence and try something different, as with his curler against Sheffield Wednesday.
Jed Wallace (Millwall) – midfielder
Encouraged to come in from his wing more, Wallace scored both of Millwall’s September goals. As well as his usual supply of runs and crosses, his clinical finish earned victory at Rotherham while a rare header brought a point against Brentford.