Rotherham United skipper Richard Wood has narrowly missed out on landing the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for August, with Hull attacker Óscar Estupiñán landing the award.
The evergreen Millers captain has been in fine form at both ends of the pitch and had his August contribution recognised with a nomination in the four-man shortlist for the Player of the Month award for the second tier.
Despite his best efforts, the 37-year-old has been pipped to the prize by the Hull frontman, who has admittedly been in red hot-form himself.
Estupiñán said: “Firstly, I should say that I am extremely happy and proud to win this prize. It is a prize that reflects the teamwork, starting from the goalkeeper up to the attacking players, and the manager.
“I am surprised with the amount of goals I’ve scored! My teammates are the ones who have enabled me to have chances to score that amount of goals. This is a prize for the whole team.”
Head coach Shota Arveladze commented: “First of all, it has been a great start for Óscar. I’ve been very impressed with how he’s adapted to the Championship and I hope he will continue this form.
“Second, we should thank all the boys in the team for giving him this opportunity. I hope to see this more often – a Hull City player winning an award.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “If August is anything to go by, then Hull have bagged themselves an out and out predator in Óscar Estupiñán.
“Seven goals in six appearances is a phenomenal effort for anyone but when you consider we’re talking about a new player in a new team, a new league and a new country, it’s an astounding effort.
“Hull’s biggest problem last season was a serious lack of goals but in Estupiñán, they may have just solved that problem.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “The Colombian striker was one of Hull’s big summer signings after netting 15 times in the Portuguese top flight last season.
“Estupiñán has made the transition looks seamless and is showing a real liking for the Championship with braces against promotion hopefuls Norwich and West Brom and a fine hat trick in Hull’s 3-2 victory over Coventry.
“An unconsidered 33/1 chance in the top goalscorer market after joining the Tigers, he’s averaging a goal every 89 minutes so far this term and quickly making a mockery of those early odds! Keeping him fit and scoring will be key to Hull’s success this season.”