Championship Awards: August’s Player, Manager and Goal of the Month

Player of the Month: Conor Hourihane (Barnsley)

Irishman Hourihane has made a seamless transition to the Championship and has been instrumental in Barnsley’s impressive start to the season.

The midfielder scored on the opening day of the season at Ipswich Town, and curled in a wonderful free-kick in the Reds’ 3-2 comeback win over QPR at Oakwell. He’s also provided three assists and created numerous other opportunities for his team-mates in addition to his all-action displays.

It’s a major surprise that no bids came in for the former Plymouth Argyle man during the recent transfer window but head coach Paul Heckingbottom will be delighted that his skipper is staying in South Yorkshire.

Scotsman Oliver Burke, who joined RB Leipzig from Nottingham Forest for £13m last week, also had a fantastic month, scoring four goals and deserves an honourable mention, but Hourihane’s inspirational performances pip him to the award.

Tykes captain Hourihane – Photo: Charlotte Wilson / Offside.

Manager of the Month: David Wagner (Huddersfield Town)

Wagner has led the Terriers to the top of the Championship after an unbeaten start to the season. Four wins and a draw represents Huddersfield Town’s best start to a season for decades.

After a series of unknown signings, some from his home country of Germany, and a series of bottom-half finishes, some had expected Huddersfield to struggle again. But this impressive start has given the Terriers’ faithful hope of a fight at the other end of the table for a change.

Head coach Wagner has seen his side win all three home games by the odd goal, against Brentford, Barnsley and Wolverhampton Wanderers, but it’s been the away performances that have really caught the eye.

Goals from Nahki Wells and Jack Payne shocked relegated Newcastle United at St James’ Park, before a late equaliser from Michael Hefele earned a draw at Villa Park.

Barnsley manager Heckingbottom deserves a mention too for leading the Reds to third place after five games, as does Slavisa Jokanovic for guiding Fulham to second so far despite losing their talismanic striker Ross McCormack.

Goal of the Month: Jacob Murphy (Norwich City)