Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris crowned Championship manager of the month for October

Regis Le Bris has been named the Championship's manager of the month for October. The French head coach fought off strong competition from Leeds United's Daniel Farke, Preston North End's Paul Heckingbottom and Cardiff City's Omer Riza to land the prize.

Le Bris' team went unbeaten in October, taking 13 points from five matches. With nearly a quarter of the season gone, the Black Cats lead the way at the top of the table.

But Le Bris, who also won the August manager of the month award, was left disappointed with their performance in Wednesday's goalless draw at Preston North End. He said: “This was not the best Sunderland so far, but we are not complacent and we are ok about the different phases we need to improve.

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“It is not a bad point. The boys aren’t happy with the draw here away from home but that is good for us and for the environment. We know we can play much better. This level of demands and high standards is good and it is higher now in our team - this is really good for the future.”

He continued: “In the first half we struggled in both phases, it was very difficult. We didn’t control the game at all, but we didn’t concede a goal so we were still in the match.

“In the second half, it was much better. It wasn’t perfect but it was much better. Every game in this league is very competitive, especially away.

“We know exactly what we have to improve. Today it was clearly about how we press and deal with the ball under pressure. The boys ran until the final whistle and in the end it was not a bad point for us.”

Tommy Watson and Aaron Connolly were handed their first league starts for the club while Chris Rigg made a return to the starting XI.

The suspended Jobe Bellingham made way whilst Patrick Roberts and Romaine Mundle dropped to the bench. Eliezer Mayenda came off the bench in the second half returning from injury after nearly two months out of action. Preston missed one or two big chances in the first half as they dominated possession.

In the end Sunderland didn’t do enough to win the contest and they will need to add some potency as they take on managerless Coventry City at the Stadium of Light ahead of the international break. Tomorrow's fixture will honour the military and armed forces.