Michael Skubala has made the list for manager of the month for September, after a stellar run of results.
It’s not the first time he’s been nominated, missing out when he’s looked a nailed-on cert, and this month he has some stiff competition. He’s joined on the list by Graham Alexander of high-flying Bradford City, Tom Cleverley at Plymouth Argyle and Darren Moore at Port Vale.
Darren Moore is something of a surprise pick at Port Vale. His side played six times in September, winning against Leeds Under 21s, Exeter City, Mansfield Town and Barnsley. They were beaten twice, once in the league against Leyton Orient and once in the League Cup by Arsenal.
Bradford City currently sit second, and that’s a result of a solid September, another side with two defeats in six. Newcastle beat them in the League Cup, and Doncaster did them 3-1 in the league, while they beat Grimsby (EFL Trophy), Huddersfield, Cardiff and Blackpool in League One. Big results, all three.
Plymouth have picked up since their early struggles. His side won five of their six matches, although two were EFL Trophy, against Tottenham Under 21s and Cheltenham. They registered three league wins, against Stockport, Luton and Burton, losing just once, at home to Peterborough.
That brings us to our horse in this race, Michael Skubala. He’s long overdue for a Manager of the Month award, and he has to be the favourite. We have three League One wins (Luton, Peterborough and Burton), plus two in the EFL Trophy (Man Utd Under 21s and Notts County), with a draw against Wigan and that defeat against the World Champions.
It’s important to note this is the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month, so it feels like we’ll be judged on our league wins. Will putting three past Luton and the same past Peterborough be enough to edge him ahead of Cleverley? Will being unbeaten in the league be key? We’re the only side on the list that didn’t lose a league game in September, which has to be a factor.
Surely, this is Michael’s time. Surely.
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