Sky Bet Championship Manager and Player of the Month: December nominees
The December nominations for the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month Award are:
Enzo Maresca (Leicester City)
To his talented squad, Maresca has added an effervescence, energy and desire which is proving irresistible to their Championship opponents. Only an injury-time Ipswich equaliser denied them a perfect seven wins with 18 goals scored.
Russell Martin (Southampton)
Martin’s team turned draws into victories, gaining 17 points from seven unbeaten games with a 16-3 goals differential. They swept aside Blackburn and Swansea, 4-0 and 5-0, respectively, and showed their resilience against QPR and Plymouth.
Mark Robins (Coventry City)
If Coventry began the season slowly after a play-off final defeat on penalties and losing Viktor Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer, Robins is bringing his calmness and tactical nous to the fore again, earning 12 points from seven games.
Danny Rohl (Sheffield Wednesday)
Rohl has masterminded a remarkable turnaround at Hillsborough. He has introduced high energy and a high press into a previously statuesque side, giving youth a chance and freeing up key players. His sharper, hungrier team won four of their seven games.
The December nominations for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month Award are:
Asmir Begovic (Queens Park Rangers) – goalkeeper
Begovic was central to the upturn in form at Loftus Road in December, keeping four clean sheets and conceding just five goals in seven games. Particularly impressive were a series of stunning saves against both Hull and Ipswich.
Stephy Mavididi (Leicester City) – wide attacker
Scorer of five of Leicester’s 18 December goals, Mavididi’s confidence has surged with every curler that has found the back of the opposition net. Positionally adept at finding the space he needs and calmness personified in front of goal.
Kenny McLean (Norwich City) – central defender/midfielder
Thrust into an unfamiliar role in the centre of the Norwich defence, the Scotland international brought a stability alongside Shane Duffy, but was still able to step out and contribute going forward with key passes for two assists.
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (Coventry City) - winger
Relieved of his defensive duties with Coventry’s switch to a 4-3-3 formation, Sakamoto has been freed up to take on defenders at will, providing two pinpoint crosses for assists and scoring three goals, including an angled curler against Sheffield Wednesday.