Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month: Sammie Szmodics
Blackburn Rovers attacking midfielder Sammie Szmodics has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for November.
What a month for Szmodics with a new contract, the captain’s armband and six goals in four games to add to his prodigious work-rate. The focal point of Blackburn’s swift counter-attacking play with his breaks, his finishing continues to be sublime.
Blackburn manager Jon Dahl Tomasson said: “Sammie has a real willingness to get better and he is now playing at a really high level. He has a fantastic attitude and a great work ethic, and is now adding more and more goals to his game, which is great to see.
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“He’s very good at finding space, running in behind, creating chances and he knows how to score goals. Above all, he works hard for the team, which is one of his biggest qualities.”
Szmodics said: “I feel like I had a really good month, scoring six goals in four games.
“My confidence is high, I’ve been playing well, the team’s been playing well and I think I deserve it. I’m over the moon with it.
“I think I’ve hit a real purple patch and I’m playing the best football I’ve ever played. That’s down to my team-mates and down to the manager.
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Szmodics was the real standout performer in the Championship in November. Blackburn had a mix of results, but Szmodics never stopped firing.
“He was handed the captains armband and repaid his manager by scoring six goals in four games. He carries a constant threat and is showing no signs of slowing down, with 14 goals so far, he looks capable of making a real run to finish top scorer this season.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Newly appointed Blackburn captain Sammie Szmodics enjoyed another fine month in front of goal after scoring six goals in November to take his tally to 14 Championship goals so far (two clear of the chasing pack).
“Sky Bet have him as the the 9/4 favourite from 16/1 at the start of the month to finish the season as the league’s top marksman.”
Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month: Daniel Farke
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for November.
If Leeds’ 1-0 win at leaders Leicester to begin the month showcased the potential of Farke’s side, the remaining games demonstrated the consistency to mount a tilt at automatic promotion. In all, they gained 10 points from four matches.
Farke said: “It’s great to win the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month, but it is a real collective effort. I am lucky to have a fantastic backroom staff and a great group of players and I share this award with them, for their hard work and dedication throughout the campaign to date.”
Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “Daniel and his Leeds team raised a few eyebrows after a fantastic result at Leicester. They continued the great work in November amassing 10 points from 12 and are now hot on the heels of both Leicester and Ipswich.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “After a stuttering start, Leeds now look like one of the favourites to get promoted from the Championship this season. Daniel Farke has to take a huge amount of credit for this, he’s now getting the best out of his players and they’re scoring plenty of goals.
“Leeds picked up 10 points from four matches and sent out a message to the rest of the league with a 1-0 win over leaders Leicester. The Whites now begin a busy Christmas period that sees them face Blackburn, Ipswich and West Brom.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “After a slow start to the season Daniel Farke’s 4/1 pre-season favourites Leeds United have finally come good.
“Sky Bet currently have United priced as the 3/1 second favourites to finish the season as champions and as short as 4/11 now to be playing top flight football again next term.”