Head Coach and Defender shortlisted for national awards
Oxford United boss Michael Appleton and defender Johnny Mullins have both been shortlisted for the monthly Sky Bet League 2 awards.
Michael is nominated as Manager of the Month for November after guiding the U’s to an unbeaten month. With the side only conceding once in the league during the month defender Mullins is nominated for the League 2 Player of the Month
The nominees are
Sky Bet League 2 Player of the Month
Danny Grainger (Carlisle United) – full back
Grainger adds as much going forward as he does to the defensive line. A real motivator and club captain, he led by example with both goals in the 2-2 draw with Portsmouth, including a delightfully curled injury-time equaliser.
Johnny Mullins (Oxford United) – central defender
A rock at the heart of a defence which conceded just one goal in four games. Recently assumed the captaincy, a perfect choice because of his consistency, ability to read the game and his knack for coaxing those around him.
Jay Simpson (Leyton Orient) – striker
Proving himself to be invaluable in east London with four of his side’s six goals in the month, taking him to 15 in League Two already. Allied a burst of pace with an ability to find space for clinical finishes against Plymouth and Wimbledon.
Chris Whelpdale (Stevenage) - winger
A stellar month for the powerful winger with four goals to add to his versatile play on both flanks. No ordinary goals, either. Two jinking runs and finishes in a hat-trick against Morecambe followed a 20-yard winner at Bristol Rovers.
Sky Bet League 2 Manager of the Month
Michael Appleton (Oxford United)
Three hard-fought 1-0 wins underpinned a haul of 10 points from a possible 12, demonstrated a tight team spirit and lifted the U's into top spot.
John Coleman (Accrington Stanley)
Coleman’s entertainers scored 10 goals and collected seven points from three games - two of them away - as they continued to thrill their fans with their attacking intent. A 3-2 win at Cambridge United was followed by a 5-1 win at York City.
John Sheridan (Newport County)
Led his new team through an unbeaten November with six points from four games as they clawed their way out of the League 2 relegation places. The new belief was evident in away draws at promotion-chasing Accrington and Oxford.
Chris Wilder (Northampton Town)
Set aside concerns over the future of the club and non-payment of wages to inspire his team to a perfect month with four wins out of four. The togetherness he has instilled lifted Northampton into the automatic promotion places.
ALL WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 11 2015
The judging panel comprises Sky Sports’ Football League expert Don Goodman; Football League Head of Communications John Nagle; League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery.