Eddie wins top-manager award
AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe and Leyton Orient’s veteran striker Kevin Lisbie are rewarded for their fine form this month as Football League sponsors npower are proud to reveal the prizes for both the npower League One manager and player-of-the-month awards.
The Cherries are proving to be the very embodiment of “hard to beat”. With the npower League One table looking so tight at the top, this consistency could be invaluable during the busy Christmas period.
In collecting three league wins, one of which was against Latics, two draws and a win in the FA Cup in November, Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth extended their undefeated run to 10 games and with Howe unbeaten since his return to the south coast.
Meanwhile, it is no coincidence that Kevin Lisbie’s return from injury coincided with Leyton Orient’s climb up the table. His pace and awareness created space for others while his calmness in front of goal brought him five goals in five games, including braces against Shrewsbury Town and Portsmouth.
The player-of-the-month panel sees Emma Collins joined by Wolves legend Don Goodman, BBC Sport’s Mark Clemmit and The Football League’s Head of Communications, John Nagle.
The two awards are determined by two separate expert panels. The manager-of-the-month award is decided by former Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley, Football League Chief Operating Officer Andy Williamson, League Managers Association Deputy CEO Olaf Dixon and npower Sponsorship Manager Emma Collins.
Speaking about Eddie Howe’s win, Curbishley commented: "
Eddie Howe has enjoyed a remarkable return to Bournemouth as his side remain unbeaten following his appointment. The Cherries are now firmly in play-off contention in npower League One.
npower, Sponsorship Manager Emma Collins added:
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“Despite his advancing years, Kevin Lisbie is clearly still a vital part of the Leyton Orient squad and thoroughly deserves this award. Five goals in five games is great form and even without the goals, his experience and influence must be invaluable for the O’s.”