Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca has been named Sky Bet Championship Coach of the Month for August.
New manager, new team, new department. Maresca has also instilled a new style of play and re-established the mentality that has led Leicester to a perfect month with four wins all secured by winners in the last 20 minutes of matches.
Maresca said: “I’m very happy, but as it happens in football, you can never reach something on your own, you need people behind you. First of all, the players, they are the most important and then the back staff of course.
“We started two months ago – one month for pre-season and one month for the official competition. We started in the right way in terms of results and the way we play. Of course, there are many things to improve but this is the right way.”
Norwich City striker Gabriel Sarra has been named Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for August.
A great August for the Norwich playmaker, especially considering he had appendix surgery in the summer. A goal and two assists don’t tell the full story of his touch, vision and passing ability, which created 17 chances in four matches.
Sarah said: “The whole team is part of this, we never play alone, we are always together.
“This is for my teammates, my team and all the supporters. We are together and this is for us.”
Sky Bet Premier League
Player: Charlie Wyke, Wigan
Wigan Athletic striker Charlie Wick has been named Sky Bet League Player of the Month for August.
Fortunately, Wyke is back to full health and fitness after heart problems last season, and has benefited from a full pre-season and has led Wigan’s attack superbly by scoring five goals in as many games, including individual efforts at Derby and Bolton.
“Obviously I’m happy to win the award, personal accolades are always nice, but I couldn’t win it without the help of my teammates and the general manager,” Wyke said.
“We started the season well and the results in August were a team effort. We now want to get going after the international break.”
Director: Liam Manning, Oxford
Oxford United boss Liam Manning has been named Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for August.
Manning has shaken off any preseason pessimism after last season’s struggles and not just the style of play he calls for. Of their four wins from five games that put Oxford ahead, two were at Derby and promotion favorites Barnsley.
“It’s great for the club,” Manning said. “I actually think the title should change because it’s not just about one person. The award reflects the hard work everyone is doing at the club: the coaching staff, medical, sports science, recruitment, equipment staff and the chefs.” On the training ground: all the staff who provide incredible support to the players.
“I’ve been aware of the gap since the last time the club won the title, so it’s good to see Oxford United being recognized again, and now it’s up to us to build on what has been a very promising first month.”
Sky Bet League Two
Player: Jake Young, Swindon
Swindon Town striker Jake Young has been named Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for August.
A dream month for Young who scored seven goals, including four in 24 minutes against Crawley, in just four matches. Learning from Charlie Austin alongside him and forming a dynamic understanding with fellow loanee Dan Kemp, he added three assists.
Swindon manager Michael Flynn said: “It’s a fantastic achievement for Jake to win League Two Player of the Month for August, I’m sure he’ll appreciate all the help his team mates have had over this period and I look forward to seeing him score many more goals for us in the future!”
Young said: “I am very happy to win this award and am grateful to the team and the staff at the club for the efforts that allowed me to have a good personal month.”
“It has been an exciting start to the season for the club and we are all looking forward to building on our good form from August until the next round of matches.”
Director: Graham Alexander, MK Dons
MK Dons manager Graham Alexander has been named Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for August.
Turning around a relegated team when you’re new to the club and having to put together a squad quickly is no easy task, however Alexander puts the attacking Dons side top of League Two with 12 points and 12 goals from five matches.
“It’s a testament to the results the club has achieved,” said Alexander. “It’s always the club’s effort. It’s the players who go out there and perform but are also backed up by a fantastic group of staff and fans, who have played their part.” also.
“I’d never fool myself that it was about what I did – it’s the result of a group of people coming together to make sure we started the season right. It’s a credit to everyone.”
