Thursday 8 December 2016 11:17, UK
Derby have a chance of dominating the latest Sky Bet Championship monthly awards, with Tom Ince and manager Steve McClaren on the November shortlist.
What a month it has been for the Rams, hoisting themselves back up to ninth spot after a miserable start to the season.
Striker Ince has been grabbing the headlines after four goals in three games, with the 24-year-old terrorising defenders with his pace. He scored twice in each of the wins over Wolves and Rotherham.
His manager McClaren has reaped the rewards of a stunning month by making the list with the phrase 'never go back' clearly meaning nothing to the former England boss.
McClaren has breezed back into Derby with a swagger that his team has adopted, picking up nine points from a possible nine in the month.
Brighton continue to breathe down the neck of leaders Newcastle and midfielder Steve Sidwell has been instrumental, with a wonder goal from two yards inside his own half in the 2-0 win at Bristol City the obvious highlight.
Other players shining in November are Birmingham goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak and Nottingham Forest midfielder Henri Lansbury.
Kuzsczak was brilliant in all three games in which the Blues picked up seven points, largely because of his agility and reflexes. He pulled off a remarkable series of saves in the win over Bristol City despite breaking his nose in the game.
Lansbury can reflect on a dazzling month, excelling particularly in the 5-2 win at Barnsley with the first hat-trick of his career.
From the sidelines, Steve Bruce, Owen Coyle and Jaap Stam are also in with a strong shout of winning the Manager of the Month award.
Bruce has not only infused his new charges at Aston Villa with confidence, he has renewed the bond between players and fans. He led the team into the top half of the table with seven points from three games.
Coyle has steered Blackburn out of the drop zone with victory over Brentford and then ended leaders Newcastle's unbeaten run to prove that his public confidence in his playing squad was well placed.
Stam may have an FA Cup trip to Manchester United to look forward to with his Reading side, but he is another manager who will have fond memories of November.
The Dutchman's tenure at the Royals began hesitantly in August and September before overseeing three wins from three games last month and an 8-1 goal differential driving the team into the top three.
