Wilson and Howe scoop October awards after Bournemouth's run of four straight wins lifted the club top of the table

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and striker Callum Wilson have been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager and Player of the Month for October.

Howe guided his side to four straight league victories during the month to help them advance to the top of the table by early November.

Wilson scored in each of the four October matches, netting five goals in total, including both goals in the 2-1 win at Bolton and the winner in the 1-0 home victory over Charlton.

Still and Cullen: Hatters on the up again

The judging panel for the awards comprises Football League Chief Operating Officer Andy Williamson, Football League Head of Communications John Nagle, League Managers’ Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery. Former Norwich City manager Chris Hughton sits on the Manager of the Month award panel, while Sky Sports Football League expert Don Goodman sits on the Player of the Month award panel.

Preston manager Simon Grayson earned the plaudits in League One, while Oldham forward Jonathan Forte secured the player award.

Luton claimed double honours in League Two, with John Still named Manager of the Month and striker Mark Cullen Player of the Month after the club won all five league games during October to move into the automatic promotion places.

Here, Sky Sports takes a more in-depth look at the award winners...

Howe: Cherries in fantastic form

Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month: Eddie Howe (Bournemouth)

Sixteen goals in five Sky Bet Championship and Capital One Cup outings during October have propelled Howe’s Cherries to the top of the league.

Howe will be particularly pleased with the way his team beat Birmingham 8-0 at St. Andrew’s.

Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “Eddie Howe has built an extremely talented young side on the South Coast and The Cherries are in an impressive run of form.

“Dan Gosling, Junior Stanislas and Adam Smith are seizing the fresh chances that Howe has given them and summer-signing Callum Wilson is repaying the faith shown in him with plenty of goals.”

Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “His return from Burnley in 2012 has been hugely beneficial for The Cherries and they are now looking down the barrel of promotion to the Premier League, which is a 2/1 shot with Sky Bet.

“Howe’s side are 13/2 to win the league after their five wins in October.”

Wilson: Banging in goals for Bournemouth

Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month: Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)

Bournemouth are one of the best teams to watch this year.

They have the most goals in the Championship with 33, Callum has nine of those and his form recently has been electric.

He scored in four consecutive League games followed by a cup goal against Premier League opposition.

He’s starting to look every bit the player Bournemouth needed to replace last season’s top scorer Lewis Grabban.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said: “Callum has settled in quickly and been a key part of the success we have had as a team.

“He is a great finisher, as you can see through the goals he has scored, and has great pace and strength, as well as having a really good work ethic.

“He has scored nine goals already, including five during October, but now the challenge for him is to keep scoring and maintain his impressive start.”

Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “Wilson’s has made the step from League One to the Championship look easy and has continued the fine goal-scoring form he showed at Coventry last season.

“He is a proper No 9, with a fantastic attitude, great upper body strength and an eye for goal.”

Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “Wilson is now 13/2 from 12/1 at the beginning of this month to finish top scorer in the league.”

Simon Grayson: Preston going well

Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month: Simon Grayson (Preston North End)

Grayson is clearly the best manager at this level after a brilliant month for his Preston North End charges, which saw them win six consecutive games and extend their run to eight straight wins.

Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “It doesn’t get better than a 100% record, and Grayson’s North End side were unstoppable in October.

“They narrowed the gap on league leaders Bristol City to two points with their sixth consecutive win away at Leyton Orient.”

Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “After previously winning promotion from Sky Bet League One with Blackpool, Leeds and Huddersfield, Grayson is in a great position to win this honour again as The Lilywhites are 10/11 to go up this term.

“Simon struck a perfect balance between attacking prowess and defensive solidarity last month, he is a real popular man around the town due to the excellent work he is performing at the helm of the club.”

Jonathan Forte: Starring for Oldham

Sky Bet League One Player of the Month: Jonathan Forte (Oldham Athletic)

The Sky Bet League One Top Scorer market was starting to look very uncompetitive as Eoin Doyle was way ahead of everyone else.

However, this month Forte managed to grab himself five goals to move within three goals of the top scorer in the league.

Oldham manager Lee Johnson said: "Jonathan fully deserves this award and not just for his goals.

“Since joining the club he has been professional in everything he does.

“He trains well, works hard, talks to young professionals and passes on his vast knowledge.

“The award from Sky Bet is recognition of great work in the month of October.”

Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “Forte is red-hot at the moment and this is already the most prolific season of his career.

Opponents continue to double up on him, but he continues to find a way through.''

Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “Forte is now 7/1 to be top of the pile at the end of the season having been 20/1 at the beginning of the month.

“Making him 3rd favourite behind Preston’s Joe Garner (9/2) and Chesterfield’s Eoin Doyle (11/10).”

Still: Luton flying high

Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month: John Still (Luton Town)

Luton Town have gone from strength to strength this term in Sky Bet League Two after their promotion from non-league football last season and wily veteran manager John Still has been the brains behind this.

The Hatters won five of their six games in October with one credible defeat against League One Crawley Town in the Football League Trophy.

Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “John Still has invigorated Luton Town as a club and they have carried all of their momentum from last season into the Football League.

“The man from Essex continues to use his tried and tested methods to great effect.”

Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “The highlight of their month was their victory at local rivals Stevenage which included an 83rd minute winner.

“Luton lie in second behind Wycombe and are 8/11 to win promotion or 4/1 with Sky Bet to win the Championship.”

Mark Cullen: Luton hotshot

Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month: Mark Cullen (Luton Town)

Luton have been in fine form recently and Mark has certainly been a factor in that.

He grabbed himself five goals during October including a hat-trick in the 3-1 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge.

Luton Town manager John Still said: “Although Mark has hit the headlines with his goals in October, his overall performances so far this season have been terrific.

“A lot was made of Andre Gray’s departure in the summer, but I knew that in Mark we had a natural goal-scorer.

“He is capable of scoring any kind of goal, and obviously his hat-trick against Dagenham saw him highlight that, with goals with both feet and his head.”