The October nominations for the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month Award are:
Daniel Farke (Leeds United)
Guided Leeds through an unbeaten month worth nine points and packed with difficult fixtures as they maintained their momentum in spite of injuries to key players. His side’s energy was notable in a fierce derby win over Sheffield United.
Paul Heckingbottom (Preston North End)
Preston began October in the bottom three. They ended it in 16th place with a fresh vibrancy now that Heckingbottom has implemented his high-energy, front-foot style that brought nine points and nine goals from five unbeaten games.
Roger Le Bris (Sunderland)
Le Bris continues to guide Sunderland’s young players on their upward trajectory, harnessing their attacking instincts while equipping them with the means to cope with difficult moments. It added up to 13 points from five unbeaten games.
Omer Riza (Cardiff City)
Cardiff had managed one point from seven games prior to October, but picked up 11 from five unbeaten games during it. More than that, interim manager Riza has brought excitement back to the club with his free-flowing attacking football.
The October nominations for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month Award are:
Tom Cannon (Stoke City) - striker
Cannon’s four goals against Portsmouth made him the first Stoke player in 24 years to score four in a match. Three were left foot shots, one with his right, all after clever movement and direct running. Added an assist against Bristol City.
Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City) - attacking midfielder
One goal and three assists for Colwill, whose physical development has seen him add strength to his natural technical ability. A powerful, direct dribbler with the ball, he has assumed responsibility for making things happen for his team.
Borja Sainz (Norwich City) - midfielder
Last month’s winner remains locked into a rich vein of energy and belief with a trio of stunning strikes in his four goals and two assists in five games, including a 25-yarder and an angled drive, both against Middlesbrough, for the rampant midfielder.
Ao Tanaka (Leeds United) - midfielder
Given his opportunity through injury, the Japan international played every minute of Leeds’ unbeaten month, bringing a steel with his tackling in front of the defence, boundless energy, superb reading of the game and an eye for a pass.