December proved to be an outstanding month on the pitch for County with four wins from four in all competitions, and that form has been recognised with Dave Challinor named as the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month, whilst Kyle Wootton has been named as the division’s Player of the Month.
DC becomes the first ever County manager to win the award since its introduction in 2005, after guiding County to three wins from three in the league – beating Hartlepool, Crewe and Walsall by an aggregate score of 9-0.
The County boss said: “December was a really good month for us in league and cup, culminating in arguably our most complete performance of the season when we went to an in-form Walsall side and deservedly won 2-0.
“We didn’t have the start to the season we wanted in the first ten games but our form since then has been much better, we’ve done the basics right and looked much more like ourselves. Winning every game in December has provided us with a real platform now to kick on in 2023 and push for promotion, which is the ambition and aim of everyone at the football club.”
Kyle, meanwhile, scored four goals in those three games, grabbing well-taken braces away at Hartlepool and Walsall. He becomes the second County player to win the award this season, after strike partner Paddy Madden picked up October’s edition.
Upon receiving the award, Kyle said: “I’m really delighted to receive this award, to top off what was a great month for us as a Club – winning all of our league games and getting through in the FA Cup.
“I’d like to say huge thank you to my team mates and to the manager and coaching staff. It’s a cliché, but we really are a team here and it would not be possible to achieve this without them.”
His manager went on to add: “It’s great for Wootts to get recognition for his form in recent weeks. I’ve spoken about it many times before, but a lot of what he brings to the team often goes under the radar, in terms of his work off the ball and ability to bring other people in to play – he’s a handful for any defence at any level with those attributes.
“At times early on in the season he was almost too selfless in that respect, and one thing we have worked hard with him on in is getting into the right areas on a more regular basis – he’s been rewarded for that last month with four really well-taken goals, in two really important away wins for the team.”
