Rochdale's Keith Hill and Matty Lund earn League One award nominations
Tuesday 3 January 2017 17:43, UK
Rochdale could be celebrating an awards double after boss Keith Hill and midfielder Matty Lund secured nominations for the Sky Bet League One manager and player of the month.
Hill's Rochdale were bottom of the League One table in mid-September, but ended 2016 in fourth spot after claiming four wins from four, including a 3-2 victory over Scunthorpe United.
A main contributor to their success in December was Lund, who capped a superb month with the first hat-trick of his career as Rochdale twice came from behind to defeat Northampton 3-2.
Chris Wilder has also been nominated for the manager of the month award after leading Sheffield United to a perfect run of results in December. A 1-0 victory over his former club Northampton was one of four wins for his side, who ended 2016 top of League One.
Southend manager Phil Brown and Fleetwood boss Uwe Rosler complete the four-man shortlist.
Brown led Southend to an unbeaten December, claiming 10 points from four matches, which moved them into the play-off places. Rosler and Fleetwood also enjoyed an unbeaten end to 2016, securing eight points from four matches.
Joining Lund on the player of the month nomination list are Peterborough's Gwion Edwards, Bristol Rovers' Matty Taylor and Bolton Wanderers' David Wheater.
Winger Edwards showed he had the eye for the spectacular in December as the Posh moved up the table following a four-match unbeaten run.
The Welshman scored a superb 25-yard strike in the 5-2 win over Chesterfield and produced a mesmerising 50-yard dribble and finish at Charlton Athletic a week later.
Taylor continued his sensational scoring form in December netting three times, which took his tally to 29 goals in 44 league matches in 2016.
Having not played in the Football League until 17 months ago, the forward continues to find ways to score against better defenders in League One.
The experience and knowhow of defender Wheater proved vital in Wanderers conceding just 15 goals in 24 league games - the best in the Football League. He also found time to get forward for set pieces and score both goals in the 2-1 win over Shrewsbury Town.
