Carlisle United win Sky Bet manager and player of month awards
Carlisle United manager Keith Curle has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for October.Not content with breaking a club record for unbeaten games to start the season, Curle inspired his side to claim sole possession of Carlisle history with five wins from five and 13 goals in a perfect month as they moved into second place.
Curle said: “It’s recognition for the whole team, and when we say team we mean the fans and all staff at the football club, everybody who helps us do our job. They can all take a lot of pride in the awards that have come our way.
“There is massive pride to be in charge of a team like this. My immediate staff allow me to work as a manager how I want to work and that is massive to myself. It means I can keep my focus on what I think I can do to the football club in aid of the football club.''
George Burley chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “Keith has had a tremendous month with Carlisle United, winning all five games and collecting 15 points while scoring 13 goals.
“They are playing some great attacking football scoring three goals away at Morecambe and another three at home to Hartlepool United.
“These results have pushed them into an automatic promotion position which is a great testament to the job Keith is doing.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “It was a flawless month for Keith Curle’s side as they moved up to second in the table, just four points behind Plymouth Argyle.
“Thirteen goals in five games tell the story of a side who are firing on all cylinders and with games against lower-half opposition coming up, Keith will be confident of extending their record-breaking unbeaten run.”
Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “Carlisle haven’t lost a game in League Two since April, and it’s about time Keith Curle was recognised for his fantastic achievements at a club that are definitely on the up.
“Hopefully now over the effects of the massive flooding that threatened their season last year, Carlisle have made great use of their new playing surface at Brunton Park, scoring multiple goals in each of their October home games.
“Before a ball was kicked Carlisle were 7/2 to be promoted this season, but a club record run of 15 league games undefeated sees Curle’s men now just 2/5 to be playing in League One next season.”
The Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel comprises former Ipswich Town manager George Burley, Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Marketing Director Drew Barrand, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery.
Carlisle United midfielder Jason Kennedy has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for October.
In the goalscoring form of his life, Kennedy found the net five times in five October games, the highlight of which was an overhead kick against Morecambe.
Always a box-to-box midfielder, he has improved the timing of his runs into the area.
Carlisle manager Keith Curle said: “There are certain players within the group that have been challenged for their position within the team. Jason Kennedy is one of the stand out characters.
“He faced an immediate challenge and the level of his performances has been exceptional.
“Jason couldn’t make the starting 11 at the start of the season, he has worked his socks off and he is now able to implement his natural ability and play the game how he wants to play it, but still be within the team structure and framework.”
Kennedy said: “We’ve all worked hard this month, it’s a nice personal award for me but it’s a team award really. Even though I’ve already scored more goals this season than I ever had before I’m just taking each game as it comes. I’ll keep trying to build on that tally and see where it takes me towards the end of the season.
“I’m feeling good at the moment and confidence is high within the team. There’s great belief in what we’re doing within the football club and we’re getting the backing from the fans who are coming out in bigger numbers, hopefully that will continue.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Kennedy only failed to score in one league game in October, and it’s this consistency that the team have been relying on as they climb the League Two table.
“He’s already surpassed his goalscoring tally for any season in his career and is showing no signs of slowing down.”
Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “Jason Kennedy has never previously scored more than seven goals in an entire league season, so to hit five in one month for a team in red hot form shows why he was the obvious winner of this award for October.
“Given his previous propensity for being more of a provider than a goal scorer he wasn’t even quoted in our original top scorer betting for this season.
“Added at 100/1 in mid-October his odds have now tumbled to 40/1 after his goal glut of epic proportions and with goals coming from all over the Carlisle team their quote of 5/2 to lift the League Two title in May could offer a lot of appeal.”
The judging panel for the Sky Bet Player of the Month comprises Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Communications Director Mark Rowan, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery.