Derby County’s faultless form throughout October has seen Gary Rowett nominated for the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month award for the first time since he arrived at Pride Park Stadium.
Here, dcfc.co.uk take a look at the key facts and figures that have led to some much-deserved recognition for the Rams’ boss, as Derby enjoyed the ideal month.
Four Wins From Four
Derby were the only Championship side to win all four of their games during October, a run that has led to Rowett’s side positioning themselves just outside the Championship play-off places with a game in hand going into the November international break.
Nottingham Forest were swept aside 2-0 in the East Midlands derby, before further victories against Sheffield Wednesday (2-0), Norwich City (2-1) and Leeds United (2-1) followed as the Rams continued to rack up the points.
Most impressive about the sequence was the two away wins at Norwich and Leeds, as Sam Winnall twice popped up with late goals to send the travelling Derby support into raptures.
Attacking Threat
The Rams lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system for every game in October, and several members of Rowett’s selected attacking quartet made their mark throughout the run of fixtures.
With a solid defensive line supported by two holding midfielders in Tom Huddlestone and Joe Ledley, Rowett’s forwards were allowed to roam and four of them found their name on the scoresheet to ensure that no Championship team scored more than the Rams’ eight goals in October.
Winnall, Matej Vydra and David Nugent all found goalscoring success, whilst Bradley Johnson also made his mark as he was utilised in a more attacking position out on the left of midfield after returning from suspension.
Defensively Solid
Whilst the front four were allowed to attack with freedom, Rowett’s defensive unit stood firm to provide the ideal platform for the winning run.
The seven defensive-minded spots in the Derby eleven were occupied by the same group for every game, with Scott Carson, Andre Wisdom, Richard Keogh, Curtis Davies, Craig Forsyth, Huddlestone and Ledley all keeping their places throughout.
The continuity contributed to some outstanding rearguard performances as no Championship team conceded fewer than the Rams’ two goals throughout the month.
Rowett Equals Career Best Sequence
The four-game winning run equalled Rowett’s best league run in his managerial so far, a feat that he achieved twice during his time with Birmingham City.
A victory against Reading on Saturday would have seen the boss win five consecutive league games for the first time, and whilst it wasn’t to be, it shouldn’t take away from a superb run of form that has seen the Rams shoot up the table and into play-off contention.
Derby Day Success
Rowett played against Forest during his playing days at Pride Park, but the October visit of Mark Warburton’s side was his first East Midlands derby in the home dugout.
He was greeted with the perfect start as Derby searched for a first win in five games, as Vydra struck inside just 24 seconds to send the Rams on their way to victory.
Nugent made it 2-0 early in the second half and Derby were never seriously threatened as they secured the three points and a third successive home league win against Forest for the first time.