Burnley have been the surprise packages in the Championship so far this season and their early success has been due in no small part to the goalscoring heroics of Danny Ings and Sam Vokes.
The two crafty Clarets may be working beautifully in tandem on the field but they went head-to-head in our exclusive fans’ player of the month poll for September – with Ings just getting the nod ahead of his partner in goals.
Sean Dyche’s men have emerged as genuine promotion contenders, albeit against the pre-season odds, with Ings revelling in his role as the main striker following former Burnley favourite Charlie Austin’s summer departure to QPR.
Ings and Vokes have been rattling in the goals for the Clarets who claimed top spot from early leaders QPR towards the end of the month, and manager Dyche is delighted with the 18-goal return of his two main hit men.
These are exciting times for players and fans alike at Turf Moor and the manager warns that his dynamic duo will get even better. “They were tremendous in pre-season and have carried that into the season,” said Dyche. “They can only improve.”
Burnley’s Lancashire rivals Blackburn are making positive strides too, with the division’s leading scorer and player of the month contender Jordan Rhodes leading the charge.
Rhodes has scored nine goals in 11 league games, and manager Gary Bowyer praised his main man, saying: “I don't get bored about talking about Jordan. He deserves the plaudits because of his finishing.”
Fans’ Player of the Month in League One is Leyton Orient’s David Mooney who was played a key role in the club’s scintillating start to the season.
The O’s may have slipped up slightly by drawing their last two games, but their club record eight wins on the bounce from the start of the season means they are still in pole position – with leading scorer Mooney continuing to lead the way.
Mooney scored four goals in as many games in September, much to the delight of manager Russell Slade who believes his star man is more than worthy of picking up his second individual award this week. He said: “I am very pleased for David as it is recognition he fully deserves, he’s one of a number of players who have done so well for us this season.”
Scott Hogan of Rochdale picks up the award in League Two to further enhance his reputation and live up to his manager’s boast that he is a Premier League star in the making.
Rochdale boss Keith Hill has tipped Hogan to follow in the footsteps of some illustrious former Dale players - Grant Holt, Adam Le Fondre and Rickie Lambert – who have all gone on to bigger and better things having starred at Spotland,
Hill reckons Hogan can follow suit and says: “I think he's been excellent. He scores goals, he's got pace to burn, he can be creative and he's difficult for older, experienced players."
Source: DSG
