Manager up for September award
The nominations for the Sky Bet League 1 Manager of the Month Award for September are:
Darren Ferguson (Peterborough United)
Even more impressive than his side’s 10 points from four games is that three were away from home, while two of the wins - against previously unbeaten MK Dons and Rotherham United – came through the team spirit he has instilled.
Simon Grayson (Preston North End)
A perfect month with a maximum four victories and a goal differential of 8-2. The experience he brought in through the likes of Kevin Davies this summer began to pay off and brought belief back to the Deepdale faithful.
Graham Kavanagh (Carlisle United)
An impeccable audition for the Carlisle United post, leading to his full-time appointment. Succeeding Greg Abbott, he infused the Carlisle team with a confidence that had been missing, leading them to three wins out of three and a mid-table position.
Dean Smith (Walsall)
Masterminded an outstanding sequence of results in an unbeaten month given the opposition. It included ending Leyton Orient’s perfect record and winning the Black Country derby against Wolverhampton Wanderers, both on their travels.
The winners will be announced on Friday 4 October 2013.
Carlisle United manager Graham Kavanagh said: "This nomination is a pat on the back for the players for the way have they have applied themselves over the last three games.
"They've had a difficult start to the season and to turn the disappointment of the opening six games into three very successful results is testament to their character and to the way they are buying into what the club is trying to achieve.
"There is a real togetherness and unity at the club at the moment and the results we've had show what you can achieve when you get that level of team spirit."
The judging panel comprises former Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley; Sky Sports Football League expert Don Goodman; Football League Chief Operating Officer Andy Williamson; League Managers’ Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Head of Football Paul Wiggins
Click www.skybet.com to visit the Sky Bet website.