Published Date:
02 October 2008
By Leon Wobschall
Gary McAllister will find out this afternoon whether he has scooped his first manager of the month award with Leeds United – following a stellar September.
McAllister's Leeds are vying with fellow high-flying nominees Oldham, Millwall and Scunthorpe for the Coca-Cola League One gong.
McAllister and Leeds will be hoping that their six-of-the-best victory tally last month – a peerless four out of four wins in the league, allied to League Cup and Johnstone's Paints Trophy victories over Hartlepool and neighbours Bradford will have done enough to swing the panel's vote.
It represents the first time since the David O'Leary era in 1999 that United have won six on the bounce with the side eyeing a magnificent seventh win at Peterborough on Saturday.
Along the way, the Whites have plundered an impressive 16 goals, five of which came against Crewe, while McAllister's troops claimed a noteworthy 3-1 win with 10 men at Swindon and a 2-0 success at Carlisle, only their third home loss in the regular League One season since September 2007.
McAllister secured the monthly prize once during his time as boss at Coventry – early in his Sky Blues tenure in December 2002. But he will need no reminding that following that award, City won just once in their remaining 21 matches of the Championship season.
McAllister's predecessor Dennis Wise bagged the award twice last term, in August 2007 following a hat-trick of league successes, while he was beaming almost exactly 12 months ago after pocketing the September prize on the back of four wins and a draw.
McAllister's chief rivals for the honour are Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins and Millwall chief Kenny Jackett.
Iron, in third, have won five matches – four in the league and one in the JPT Trophy, headlined by a 4-1 success at Brighton.
Millwall have propelled themselves firmly in top six following four league wins, the pick of which saw them prevail 1-0 at current leaders Leicester, although the Lions did lose to Colchester in the JPT Trophy.
Second-placed Oldham, managed by former Whites' 80s midfield icon John Sheridan, have won two and drawn two league matches, while losing to Morecambe on penalties in the JPT Trophy.
Meanwhile, Saturday's opponents Peterborough are on course for the first sell-out for a Football League match in their 48-year league tenure with a near 15,000 crowd set to pack into London Road – including 4,200 Whites fans.
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Last Updated:
02 October 2008 7:57 AM
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Source:
EP Leeds First & County
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Location:
Leeds