Walsall captain James Clarke wins player of the month award

The Saddlers captain had a successful month for the club with an acrobatic bicycle kick winner against Scunthorpe followed up by his 30-yard thunderbolt against Crawley.

He was also a vital part of a defence that kept four clean sheets in five games.

The skipper said: “I’m delighted to win the award. It’s the first time I’ve won something like this in my career and winning it means a lot.

“To pick up three wins and three clean sheets was a fantastic effort from the team and to add a couple of goals into that as well was the cherry on top of it all.”

Walsall manager Darrell Clarke was nominated for manager of the month but lost out to Cheltenham's Michael Duff.

But he was delighted for his captain who "sets the perfect example."

“James is a fantastic professional and somebody who I have worked with for a number of years now," he said.

“I always demand high standards from my players and he sets the perfect example. He doesn’t score goals like that, so for him to score them and for him to win the award is great for him.”

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman described Clarke's goals as "outstanding" and credited him with earning the club several points throughout the month.

He said: “Most defenders would be happy to score one of Clarke’s September goals in their career, but to score two – and for them to be goals of such importance – is outstanding from the Walsall skipper.

“The 29-year-old only netted his first professional goal last year, but given a license to roam by Darrell Clarke, he’s rewarded his manager with six points already.”

Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies added: “James Clarke has never been anything like prolific – even for a centre back – but he scored two spectacular goals in September and was an important presence at the back for a Walsall team who put together a nice run of results, keeping four clean sheets in the process.

“The Saddlers will be looking up and not down now, as they try to work their way into the promotion picture. They are 8/1 to be promoted straight back to League One.”

West Brom manager Slaven Bilic missed out on Championship manager of the month to Sabri Lamouchi of Nottingham Forest.