Motherwell pick up two awards

Nov 11 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

MOTHERWELL manager Jim Gannon was delighted to receive the Clydesdale Bank Premier League Manager of the Month award for October last week but was pleasantly surprised with the recognition.

He said: “I didn’t expect it, given the recent results we have had. The results have been respectable with the away draws and the home wins.

“It is nice to get the award but I think it is a measure of what everybody has been doing at the club for the last month.”

The gaffer was also pleased that in-form striker Lukas Jutkiewicz got the Young Player of the Month award. The 20-year-old was the SPL’s top scorer for October with three goals from four starts, including a double in the exciting 3-3 draw against St Mirren.

However, the Irishman hinted that he would have given the award to star stopper Steve Saunders.

Gannon said: “I think Steve Saunders has been outstanding, considering the clean sheets against some of the top sides. He’s been excellent. As always with the younger defenders they go unnoticed and it is normally the goalscorers that get the attention.

“But I am delighted for Lucas. It is great reward for the effort he has put in. Hopefully he can build upon what he has achieved moving into November.”