Sky Bet EFL: Manager and Player of the Month winners for September 2019, including Sabri Lamouchi and Joey Barton

Sky Bet Championship

Sabri Lamouchi (Nottingham Forest)

Nottingham Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for September.

Lamouchi has made Forest hard to beat and added two more clean sheets, which set the foundations for 1-0 wins over Swansea and Barnsley.

The resilience he has instilled was shown in the 3-2 win at Stoke, adding up to a perfect nine points from nine.

Lamouchi said: "I am very proud and happy because what we have done in September was just amazing. Thank you to the club, to the fans for your support and of course the staff, but the players because they make the difference and they did a great job.

"We had three games in September but in the last six games we took 16 points, this is not nothing; it is amazing. Now we need to keep going and keep working to keep this rhythm.

"We know it is very difficult but we have given the players a lot of rest as they deserved it, but now we will start again and focus on Wigan, Hull, Reading, Luton and then the most important game for the fans against Derby.

"It is a good moment and we will enjoy it but we know the trip is long and tough. We know that we will face some bad moments but we have to keep working. We will enjoy now because what is done is done, and now we will focus on the future and that is Wigan away."

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

He said: “Sabri has turned the fortunes around at Forest. After a decent start to his tenure, Forest look like a team that could challenge for one of the top six places come April, if this form continues.

“Impressive away wins at Swansea and Stoke and nine points from the three games in September has given Forest fans a belief that good times may be on the horizon once again.”

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Forest managers have struggled to reach the levels their fans expect of them for some time, but in Sabri Lamouchi, they finally have someone who looks capable of bringing the good times back to the City Ground.

“Given a full close season with the squad, the Frenchman has brought pride and passion back and has Forest in an unfamiliar position, fighting at the top end of the table.’’

• Lamouchi exclusive: We must keep working

Chey Dunkley (Wigan Athletic)

Wigan Athletic defender Chey Dunkley has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for September.

In a goal-shy team, Dunkley’s three goals in as many games proved just as important as his commanding presence in defence.

Against Charlton, they showcased his talent, too, with a well-timed volley and a towering header.

Wigan Athletic manager Paul Cook said: “‘It’s excellent recognition for Chey, who scored some important goals for us.

“His overall performances have been strong.

“He continues to learn all the time and is a really important member of our squad, we are really pleased with his progress.”

Dunkley said: “I’m really proud to win the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for September.

“It was an OK month for the team in terms of results and on a personal level getting the three goals was nice.

“I have been working hard on that aspect of my game (scoring goals from set-pieces) with our first team coach Anthony Barry, so it is pleasing to start reaping the rewards.”

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Sky Bet League One

Joey Barton (Fleetwood Town)

Fleetwood Town manager Joey Barton has been named the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for September.

It was a free-scoring month for Fleetwood, with their ten points from four unbeaten games matched by ten goals, three in each of the away games at Southend and Shrewsbury.

Barton has bedded in his summer recruits impressively.

Barton said: “It’s really nice that we get outside recognition for the work that we have done. The players have been tremendous this season, and this award is for all our staff who work hard every day across all our departments.

“I think the award is a big vindication for all of the work that everybody has done and I collect this for everybody at the football club.”

“There is a lot of trust in the environment, and everybody feels that they have a role to play, from the kitchen staff, to the people who do the grass, to the laundry room, everything.

“It’s a really unique club at this moment and I proud to be head coach at Fleetwood Town.”

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

He said: “Fleetwood Town boss Joey Barton and his players have really enjoyed this period of the season.

Ten points from four games in September and 10 goals scored has propelled them into third place and with confidence high, they will hope to keep the pressure on their promotion rivals in League One.”

Jonson Clarke-Harris (Bristol Rovers)

Bristol Rovers striker Jonson Clarke-Harris has been named the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month for September.

It was not just his five goals in five games, including a spectacular overhead kick against Accrington, which stood out, but the fact that every one of his efforts was either an equaliser or the goal which gave Rovers a lead.

Clarke-Harris said: “I’m delighted to win this award on the back of what was a good month for both the team and myself.

“Throughout September, the lads really clicked on the pitch and we are now striving to carry this good momentum forward.

“The goal against Accrington was probably my personal highlight. I couldn’t really remember how I ended up attempting the bicycle kick, but it just sort of happened and the next thing I knew the ball was in the back of the net!

“It’s been a positive month and now we look to build on that across the upcoming games.”

Sky Bet League Two

Michael Duff (Cheltenham Town)

Cheltenham Town manager Michael Duff has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for September.

The foundations Duff laid last season have been built on spectacularly so far this campaign.

Traditionally strong at home, it was their 2-0 victories at Salford and Plymouth which demonstrated his tactical nous, making 13 points from five games.

Duff said: “The staff are only a reflection of what the players do. It's obviously a nice award but it's more for the whole club really because the board, the staff, the supporters, the players - and I've always said it - if the team on the pitch are doing well and winning, we all win.

“It is a nice award to win but I think it is more a sign of recognition that other people outside of Cheltenham are starting to recognise the work that has been going on for a long time."

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

He said: “What a great September for Michael Duff and his Cheltenham troops. Thirteen points from a possible 15 has lifted Cheltenham into third place from a mid-table position in August.

“Goals have been plentiful and their strong home record suggests Michael’s team will be tough to shake off as the season progresses.”

James Clarke (Walsall)

Walsall defender James Clarke has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for September.

Central defenders aren’t supposed to score goals like his acrobatic late bicycle kick winner against Scunthorpe or his 30-yard thunderbolt at Crawley.

Clarke’s presence was also vital at the back as Walsall kept four clean sheets in five games.

Walsall manager Darrell Clarke said: “James is a fantastic professional and somebody who I have worked with for a number of years now.

“I always demand high standards from my players and he sets the perfect example. He doesn’t score goals like that, so for him to score them and for him to win the award is great for him.”

Clarke said: “I’m delighted to win the award. It’s the first time I’ve won something like this in my career and winning it means a lot.

“To pick up three wins and three clean sheets was a fantastic effort from the team and to add a couple of goals into that as well was the cherry on top of it all.”

• The Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel comprises former Barnsley manager Danny Wilson, Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Communications Director Mark Rowan, and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.

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