READING FC boss Jaap Stam has missed out on becoming September's Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month.

The 44-year-old Dutchman was named on a four-man shortlist along with Newcastle United’s Rafa Benitez, Sheffield Wednesday’s Carlos Carvalhal and Alex Neil of Norwich City.

But it was Canaries boss Neil who took the September honours, with Brentford striker Scott Hogan - who scored against Reading in last week's 4-1 defeat - picking up the Player of the Month honours.

Stam had impressed the selection panel after Reading won three Championship matches in September after home wins against Ipswich Town and Huddersfield and an away success at Barnsley.

Royals also drew with Birmingham City at home and won at Brighton in the EFL Cup third round.

The only setback came in a 4-1 loss at Brentford last week, which ended Royals’ eight-match unbeaten streak.

Nevertheless, the judging panel of ex-Ipswich Town manager George Burley, Sky Sports’ EFL League expert Don Goodman, EFL Marketing Director Drew Barrand, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery explained Stam’s selection.

“Sticking to your beliefs is an important trait in a manager,” they said.

“Stam’s focus on a possession-based game may not have won the Reading faithful over just yet, but a haul of 10 points from five games proves that it is working.”

Last weekend's 1-1 draw with Derby County left Reading eighth in the Championship table going into the current international break.

September awards

Sky Bet League One: Manager — Dave Flitcroft, Bury FC; Player — Josh Morris, Scunthorpe United FC.

Sky Bet League Two: Manager — Derek Adams, Plymouth Argyle FC; Player — Jon Stead, Notts County FC.