Reading FC Duo Up For Football League Awards

Steve Clarke and Nick Blackman have been nominated for Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month and Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month awards respectively.

It was an impressive September for The Royals as they kicked it off with a 5-1 thumping of Ipswich Town, before following that up with a 1-0 defeat by Derby (after Orlando Sa's red card doomed the Biscuitmen). Impressive victories over Bristol City and Burnley sandwiched a Capital One Cup defeat against Everton.

On Steve Clarke's nomination, the Football League website reads:

A month that began with a rousing 5-1 victory at home to Ipswich Town ended with convincing away triumphs at Bristol City and Burnley, for three wins in four games as Clarke’s style brought impressive consistency to his side.

Clarke will need to fend off Paul Clement (Derby), Chris Hughton (Brighton) and Aitor Karanka (Middlsbrough) to win.

And on Nick Blackman they say:

What a difference a season and your manager’s faith make. With three clinically taken goals in the month and two assists in the 5-1 win over Ipswich Town, Blackman is using his pace, movement and new-found confidence to devastating effect.

Blackman will need to fend off Daniel Ayala (Middlesbrough), Emyr Huws (Huddersfield) and Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn) to win.

The winners for the awards will be announced on Friday, October 9.