After the opening month of the season we have seen upsets, routs and plenty of quality football across the Football League. This week saw the first Manager of the Month nominations take place and the winners were announced on Friday. We detail why the winners were selected for their respective divisions.
The Championship
Chris Hughton – Brighton & Hove Albion
Many feared it could be another difficult season for Brighton and Hughton, but they have made a cracking start to the Championship season. Brighton are one of just four sides to remain unbeaten in the Championship after the opening month of the season. Four wins and a draw is near perfection and the 3-2 win at the end of the month at Ipswich was the pick of their results. Could this be the season that Brighton reach the promised land?
Hughton told the Football League’s official website:
“I think it speaks volumes for what the players have achieved after a good pre-season and we were fortunate that we didn’t have any injuries in August.
“The players have been excellent and worked very hard in pre-season. We’ve changed a few things from last year. We’ve looked to play two up front which we felt would give us more opportunities to score goals and get the ball in that final third.”
League One
Dean Smith – Walsall
Not many would have predicted Walsall as table toppers after the first month of the season, but credit to Smith and his players. After an opening day draw against Oldham, the Saddlers have been ruthless in their play winning their other four league matches. With 11 goals scored and just three conceded, Smith has found a winning formula and to net six goals in two away games is some going to say the least.
Speaking on the Football League website, Smith said:
“It’s really pleasing but it’s not just for me, it’s for the whole team. The players have to go out there and perform and get the results.
“And for the staff behind me – this is for all of them as well. It’s not just an individual accolade, because you can’t get them without the rest of the team working well together.
“It’s really pleasing and it just shows that we’re doing well at the moment.”
League Two
Ian Hendon – Leyton Orient
It is never an easy job taking over a side that has been relegated the previous season. Well it normally is. Ian Hendon has made it look easy to get Leyton Orient back on the winning track. A perfect record of five wins from five league games is only matched in the top four tiers by Manchester City. As always with Leyton Orient is remains entertaining with 13 goals scored and it could be an immediate return to League One for Orient. There was no real competition for the award after five wins from five games.
After being given his award, Hendon spoke to the Football League website:
“I am delighted to pick up this award, but really it is an award for the team and we wouldn’t have achieved this without the hard work of everyone at the club. Everyone is on board and the support we have received is fantastic.
“While we are fully aware of the good start we have made, it is only a start and we are five games into a 46-game season. It is now my job to try and maintain that good start over the course of the campaign.”
