DARREN Moore and Dwight Gayle have been nominated for the Sky Bet Championship’s top monthly awards.
Unbeaten-in-September Moore has been put forward for Manager of the Month, while free-scoring Gayle is shortlisted for Player of the Month.
Gayle netted five goals in as many games during September, kicking off with a spectacular brace against Stoke City on the opening day of the month, beginning a run which saw Moore’s men claim 13 points.
The winners will be announced at 6am on Friday, October 5 after a judging panel including former frontman Don Goodman and experienced manager George Burley have made their decision.
Sky Bet’s shortlist for the awards and their reasons for each nomination can be found below.
Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month
Paul Cook (Wigan Athletic)
Football management can be about opportunity. Cook has had to earn his way to the Championship the hard way, yet he has quickly proved that he and his side belong there. Nine points from five games lifted them into the top half.
Daniel Farke (Norwich City)
The German’s cautious style hasn’t always pleased the Norwich faithful, but a haul of 13 points from a possible 15 in September certainly did. His side demonstrated they have no problems winning close games, with four single-goal victories.
Darren Moore (West Bromwich Albion)
Handing a first-time caretaker-manager the job on a permanent basis can be fraught with danger, but Moore has eased into the role impeccably. His attack-minded side collected 13 points from five games, scored 12 goals and went top.
Chris Wilder (Sheffield United)
When United lost their opening two games, the words ‘sophomore jinx’ were aimed in their direction. Wilder knew differently and led his swashbuckling side to 10 points from five September fixtures and into the play-off places.
Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month
Bradley Dack (Blackburn Rovers) – midfielder
Injury restricted Dack to four appearances in September, but it failed to limit either his impact or the audacity to show off his technical ability at every turn, no matter where it is on the pitch. Three goals and an assist proved him right.
Dwight Gayle (West Bromwich Albion) - striker
Five goals in five games showcased Gayle’s range as a goalscorer. A magical individual effort and a rapier-like finish against Stoke, calmness against Bristol City, predatory instincts against Millwall and a stunning free-kick at Preston.
Neal Maupay (Brentford) – striker
The Frenchman didn’t miss a beat after returning to the side. Four goals in as many games for the Championship’s leading scorer whose movement, positioning and reactions are proving too clever for opposing defenders to handle.
Teemu Pukki (Norwich City) - striker
Used every part of his anatomy to score in September, toe-poking home against Middlesbrough, then chesting in at QPR. Those were both winners, while the Finn also scored the opener at Reading and won the decisive penalty against Wigan.