Derby County went unbeaten in League One in November, moving up into 6th place of the table in the process.
Derby County played six games in total in November, winning four and losing an FA Cup replay vs Crewe Alexandra.
In the league, the Rams beat Barnsley 3-0 at Pride Park, also beating Bristol Rovers at home, and winning 1-0 away at Port Vale.
It marks a good patch of form for Paul Warne and his side who’d been inconsistent before that.
And this fine vein of form saw Warne nominated for the League One Manager of the Month award, but the Rams boss is surprised that Nathaniel Mendez-Laing wasn’t up for the player’s award.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing snubbed for POTM award
Up for the Player of the Month award in League One were Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Nathan Baxter, Northampton Town striker Sam Hoskins, Wigan Athletic’s Jordan Jones, and Peterborough United’s Kwame Poku.
Hoskins won the Player of the Month award whilst Bolton boss Ian Evatt scooped the Manager of the Month award.
And speaking ahead of this weekend’s League One clash vs Leyton Orient, Warne admitted that he was surprised Mendez-Laing didn’t get a nomination for the Player of the Month award, saying:
“I am surprised Nathaniel Mendez-Laing wasn’t nominated for the Player of the Month award; you would do well to be ahead of his performances in the last month.”
The 31-year-old scored in the initial draw with Crewe, marking a fourth goal in as many games, also scoring the winner over Bristol Rovers and grabbing the assist for Tyreece John-Jules’ winner at Vale.
Back to his best at Derby County
Mendez-Laing hasn’t had an easy past few years.
After his abrupt exit from Cardiff City during the 2019/20 season, he’s been on the move, having played for both Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday before signing for Derby County ahead of last season.
And since arriving at Pride Park, the wide-man has settled down and really found his footing.
Last season he scored seven and assisted eight more in 44 League One outings, and he looks set to surpass those numbers this season with four goals and five assists to his name already.
His energy and experience has been crucial to Derby’s upturn in form, and it’ll be crucial in their quest for promotion to the Championship.
He’s a tried and tested player who seems to be brimming with confidence right now, and after his performances in November, it’s no wonder why Warne was surprised he didn’t get a nomination for Player of the Month.
Tomorrow’s game at Leyton Orient kicks off at 3pm.