Marco Silva has been named Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for January.
Following three postponed matches, Silva and his team navigated a congested fixture list in some style, winning four and drawing one of our five games last month.
The victories were all memorable, too. Reading was arguably the highlight as we became the first side in 126 years to win two away games by a seven goal margin in the same season.
Consecutive 6-2s over Bristol City and Birmingham City followed at the Cottage, before a battling 3-2 win at Stoke City.
We ended the month with 23 goals after Aleksandar Mitrović netted in a 1-1 draw with Blackpool.
“I thank the panel for selecting me as the recipient of the Championship Manager of the Month award for January,” Marco said.
“A massive part of being recognised with this award is the collective effort from everyone at Fulham Football Club, which includes the players, football and coaching staff, and all of the staff that work so hard behind the scenes at Craven Cottage and Motspur Park.
“January was a good month for us but we know that we haven’t achieved anything at this point, and we must continue in a positive way until the end of the season.”
Danny Wilson, who chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel said: “Mouth-watering football with goals galore for Marco’s Fulham. 13 points and 23 goals in their five January games is fantastic entertainment for the watching faithful.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Goals, goals and more goals were the order of the day for Marco Silva in January.
“In a five-game stretch, his side scored a remarkable 23 times, threatening the history books and providing Silva with one of the easiest Manager of the Month wins imaginable. With the Premier League in their sights, Fulham look like a team possessed.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “January saw the Whites go eight points clear at the top and their title odds slashed accordingly from 8/13 at the start the month into the current price of 1/9.
“Silva’s side were sent off the 5/1 pre-season favourites back in August and they have surpassed all expectations so far under the Portuguese’s leadership.
“They’re now 1/100 to be promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking from 15/8 before a ball was kicked.
“After two years out of the game, Silva is passing this test with flying colours.”
