The winners of the Sky Bet EFL Manager of the Month Awards for October are:
Sky Bet Championship: Scott Parker (Bournemouth)
Bournemouth manager Scott Parker has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for October.
Parker led his team to a perfect 15 points from five games, with 10 goals scored and four clean sheets as they dominated the Championship. Even the one goal they conceded led to a confidence-building comeback win over Sheffield United.
Parker said: “I have to give full credit for this award to my staff and players for their efforts throughout October and the season as a whole.
“To secure a 100%-win record in a month and concede just one goal in the Championship is a fantastic achievement and it is testament to the hard work and mentality of everyone at the club.
“We’re also extremely grateful for the backing we’ve been given from our supporters, who have followed us in great numbers home and away this season.”
Sky Bet League One: Ryan Lowe (Plymouth Argyle)
Plymouth Argyle manager Ryan Lowe has been named the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for October.
Lowe has underlined to his players the importance of turning Devon into a fortress this season. A perfect three wins from three at Home Park were part of a 14-point haul from six unbeaten matches which took Argyle to the summit of League One.
Lowe said: "I’m delighted to win the award, but it is not just recognition for me – it also reflects the work done by my back-room staff, players, our fans, and everyone involved at the club throughout the season so far.
“Of course, I am always proud to pick up any honour, but there is a lot of the season still left to play and we will keep working hard and have our feet firmly on the ground.”
Sky Bet League Two: Darrell Clarke (Port Vale)
Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for October.
A stellar month for his swashbuckling side, who scored at least three goals in five of their six games. That made 17 in total to add to their 13 October points. Clarke’s tactic of trying to out-score the opposition appears to be working.
Clarke said: “I’m really pleased to win the award for a second consecutive month, once again it’s all down to a great collective effort from everyone involved in the club, from my players and backroom staff, to the owners and supporters."
The winners of the Sky Bet EFL Player of the Month Awards for October are:
Sky Bet Championship: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham)
Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrović has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for October.
Four goals in August, six in September, eight in October. A hat-trick against West Brom, a brace against QPR and Nottingham Forest, Mitrović is simply bullying Championship defenders into submission with his power in the air and strength on the ground.
Mitrovic said: “I have a lot of quality around me in this team, a lot of creative players who make a lot of chances for me, so I have to thank them for helping me to score as many goals as I did in October.
“Thank you also to the Manager for his trust in me, and the fans for their support. It is a nice award to win, but the most pleasing thing was that we also won lots of games.”
Sky Bet League One: Michael Smith (Rotherham United)
Rotherham United striker Michael Smith has been named the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month for October.
Enjoying one of his most prolific seasons, Smith scored five goals and assisted two others in five games, using his physicality in the box to hold off defenders. His cheeky backheeled goal against Sunderland underlined his current confidence.
Smith said: "I'm obviously delighted to get the award but I think it isn't just recognising my efforts, but also the team's in what has been a great run for us.
"I've managed to get a few goals which has been really pleasing but everything we do here is a collective effort and without the lads behind me it wouldn't have been possible.
"The Gaffer and the staff have always been brilliant with me since the minute I walked through the door here, but they've really got me believing in my ability, perhaps even where I wouldn't have.
"I've said it before though, no personal success will mean anything if we can't achieve what we want to this season, so we'll all keep our heads down, continue to work hard and hopefully the results keep coming."
Sky Bet League Two: Dom Telford (Newport County)
Newport County striker Dom Telford has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for October.
It was a month of transition for Newport in the dugout, but one to die for on the pitch for Telford. He contributed an assist and eight goals, including a clever shot on the swivel and a brilliant solo run against Carlisle, as well as a hat-trick against Stevenage.
Newport County manager James Rowberry said: “I can't take any credit for [the form], that's down to Wayne [Hatswell, assistant manager and caretaker after Michael Flynn's departure] and the guys that were here before me. He's scored a few since I came in against Bristol Rovers and Stevenage.
"First and foremost he's a great, great lad. He's 24, he comes in every day with a smile on his face - I see him and he makes me smile and makes me laugh! He's a great lad and the lads love him.
"He works every day, always wants to get better, he's always asking questions, asking me questions. He's engaged and he deserves. I know Dom will continue and that journey and continue wanting to get better and better."