Sky Bet EFL: Manager and Player of the Month winners for October 2019, including Danny Cowley and Aleksandar Mitrovic

Sky Bet Championship

Manager of the Month: Danny Cowley (Huddersfield Town)

Huddersfield Town manager Danny Cowley has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for October.

Any doubts that he could gain the respect of highly paid Championship players and instil his methods were swept away as Huddersfield gained 11 points from five unbeaten games, re-connected with their fans and moved out of the bottom three.

Cowley said: “I’m happy to accept this award on behalf of every member of staff and every player at Huddersfield Town, because our form over October is down to an incredible team effort.

“When Nicky and I arrived at the club, we found a superb set of skilled, dedicated people who have a deep care for Huddersfield Town and this run of form is down to their hard work and dedication.

“Equally, the players deserve so much credit too. Their attitude and application has been good and we’ve enjoyed their full commitment. We’re all humble enough to know that we are still a work in progress and there is a lot more work to do, but we’re looking forward to the hard work in front of us."

Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.

He said: “Danny Cowley has certainly turned the Terriers’ fortunes around since his arrival in September.

“Sitting with only two points in early October and entrenched in the bottom three of the Championship, things looked rather gloomy, but Danny and his team have instilled

confidence and discipline to the squad and an 11 points return took them out of the relegation places.

“There’s still a long way to go, but the green shoots are there to be seen and there’s an onwards and upwards mentality from the Huddersfield faithful.”

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “The Cowley brothers’ record of sustained success continues at Huddersfield, but should we really be surprised?

“From Concord Rangers to Braintree and Lincoln, they have improved performances, consistency of results and previous seasons’ league positions wherever they have managed.

“The man management skills and dedication that the pair bring will be a surprise to no-one but what may surprise some, is the speed in which they’ve instigated the turnaround of fortunes at Huddersfield, taking them from candidates for relegation to mid table in just over a month.”

Player of the Month: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham)

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for October.

A hungry, aggressive striker in supreme form. Six goals in five games for Fulham (and another two for Serbia) included a poacher’s hat-trick against Luton and the cheekiest of finishes to rescue a London derby point against Charlton.

Fulham manager Scott Parker said: “I’m am delighted that Aleksandar has received recognition with this award for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for October.

“He continues to work hard in training each day. While he deserves this award on a personal level, I know he’d be the first to recognise the contribution of his teammates.”

Mitrovic said: “It’s always nice when you win personal awards. It means that I did something right, that the team did something right as well, so it’s a nice feeling.”

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “No player has won this award more than Mitrovic’s three in the past six seasons, a reflection of his guaranteed quality and, more importantly, goals, at this level.

“October was one of those run of games when Mitrovic was unplayable, notching six goals in four games. It’s clear that if Fulham are to do the business this season then “Mitro” will be absolutely central.”

Sky Bet League One

Manager of the Month: Darren Ferguson (Peterborough United)

Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson has been named the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for October.

His side continued their free-scoring ways with 13 goals in five games, but it was Ferguson’s ability to marry that with improved defensive solidity that was crucial to remaining unbeaten in the month.

Ferguson said: “We had a really good month, going through it unbeaten and obviously we scored a lot of goals.

“I have read about the Manager of the Month curse and we haven’t started November particularly well, but we know that there is plenty of improvement within the group.

“We are currently third and obviously during the month we went top, but it is a long season. I look at the points total rather than the position at this stage and after the last couple of games we are behind the eight ball when it comes to points per game that we wanted.”

Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.

He said: “It was a tough call this month, with Gareth Ainsworth, Karl Robinson and Glyn Hodges all posting very good results in October. However, Darren Ferguson at the Posh just had that extra edge, not only by securing 11 points from their five games but also scoring an impressive 13 goals in the process.

“Darren’s attacking style has made Peterborough one of the teams to really respect and they are enjoying the consistency any promotion contender needs to have.”

Player of the Month: Ian Henderson (Rochdale)

Rochdale striker Ian Henderson has been named the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month for October.

Having recently scored his 100th EFL goal for Dale, Henderson has made a quick start on his second century. His five in three starts included close-range finishes, a header and an impudent lob for his second goal against Accrington.

Rochdale manager Brian Barry-Murphy said: “The award is testament to Ian that, at the age of 34, he is still improving his game and still fine-tuning his craft.

“One of the major beliefs of this group of players is that the team is much stronger than one individual and Ian has displayed that in its perfect form.

“It’s great to see someone who has put so much into the team getting the chances at the end of that, and, as we know, there is nobody better in the division at finishing those chances.”

Henderson said: “It is an honour and privilege to receive this recognition and award.

“Undoubtedly this has come about from the support, hard work and performances from the team at Rochdale.

"Special thanks have to go to the players, Brian Barry-Murphy, the coaching staff and the fans. It is greatly appreciated.”

Sky Bet League Two

Manager of the Month: Graham Alexander (Salford City)

Salford City manager Graham Alexander has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for October.

The adjustment to life as a Sky Bet EFL club has been gradual for Salford. Through it all, Alexander has maintained a consistency of approach that began to reap proper rewards in October with 10 points gained from five games.

Alexander said: “It’s a great credit to everyone involved at Salford City. The award is off the back of results for the first team, and the players and staff involved in that are the ones that deserve the award. The team have performed excellently well over the last month."

Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.

He said: “After a historical promotion from the National League, Graham Alexander has really helped Salford adapt to the rigours of a League Two campaign.

“After a little bit of ‘feet finding’ in the early part of the season, 10 points from a possible 15 in October has seen them move into mid table for the first time and within a couple of wins off the Play-Off positions.

“The managerial experience from Graham really has helped Salford settle into the league but it also suggests that he will want to continue the good form and push his troops even harder.”

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “In their first season in the EFL, Graham Alexander picks up Salford City’s first ever EFL award, thanks to three wins in five games.

“Alexander’s experience at this level and above – he has three previous Manager of the Month trophies from his time at Fleetwood and Scunthorpe United – has been the driving force behind their brilliant start to life in the EFL.”

Player of the Month: Eoin Doyle (Swindon Town)

Swindon Town striker Eoin Doyle has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for October.

It made no difference to Doyle that he was unable to play against parent club Bradford. The four appearances he did make brought six goals, including a hat-trick at Crawley. The

Irishman showcased all his talents - tight control, deft finishes, clever movement and calmness.

Doyle said: “It feels great. It’s been an enjoyable season so far. It feels good to play in a team with a lot of flair, a lot of talent. It’s pretty beneficial to me.

“I don’t think it’s me to be honest with you. None of my goals have been spectacular, I think most of them have been inside the box! It’s just the talent that’s in the team around me. It’s a very good forward, attacking team and great for any striker.”

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Doyle is enjoying his best goalscoring spell in football for a long time, and has got off to a flyer at Swindon - currently going at a goal a game in Sky Bet League Two, an extraordinary record.

“He last won this award way back in September 2014 while at Chesterfield, and it’s the mark of Doyle’s mentality that despite some lean spells, he’s turned his fortunes around and is producing the goods again over five years later.”

Sky Bet EFL: Weekend preview

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