Saddlers' boss in running for January Manager of the Month award...
SADDLERS' boss, Dean Smith, has been nominated for the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month award for January 2014.The short-list of four comprises of the following:
Joe Dunne (Colchester United)
The Irishman has quietly built an attacking side at Colchester. The U’s picked up seven points from three games which included convincing 3-0 and 4-2 wins over Gillingham and Carlisle United, respectively, to move up the table.
Russell Slade (Leyton Orient)
Made astute transfer window signings to cover injuries in his squad and fitted in the new arrivals so seamlessly that Orient picked up a maximum 12 points from four matches, conceding just a solitary goal in the process.
Dean Smith (Walsall)
A difficult-looking January fixture list was made to look easy in a month unbeaten. The highlight was a 5-1 away win at Notts County. Has drawn consistency from his players which helped to lift Walsall into the play-off places.
Mark Warburton (Brentford)
He is making Sky Bet Football League management look easy, picking up another 13 points from five unbeaten matches in January. Has made a confident transition into the job, quickly earning the respect of his players.
THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH 2014
The judging panel comprises of massively experienced Football League manager, Dave Bassett; Sky Sports Football League expert and former Saddler, Don Goodman; Football League Chief Operating Officer, Andy Williamson; League Managers’ Director, Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Head of Football, Paul Wiggins.