The October nominations for the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month Award are:
Rafa Benitez (Newcastle United)
His side swept all before them as a perfect five wins from five games took them to the top of the Championship table. As impressive as the variety of their attacking play was the delight his players took in conceding just two goals.
Simon Grayson (Preston North End)
Made light work of fixtures against the top four in the table to guide his side to three wins and a draw from five games as they climbed into the upper half. Most impressive of all their results was a 1-0 win away to Norwich.
Chris Hughton (Brighton & Hove Albion)
What looked to be an awkward fixture list turned out to be anything but as Hughton led Brighton to a 13-point haul from five games, including a first-ever win away to Sheffield Wednesday and a 5-0 gallop past promotion rivals Norwich.
Garry Monk (Leeds United)
The pressures at Elland Road come largely from within. Monk has shown a calmness in dealing with them while introducing his own methods at the club. Ten points from five games have Leeds fans looking upwards again.
ALL WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 11 2016
The judging panel comprises former Ipswich Town manager George Burley, Sky Sports’ EFL League expert Don Goodman; EFL Marketing Director Drew Barrand, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery.