'I hoped I wouldn't win' - Rowett jokes after January award

Gary Rowett is the Championship manager of the month for January

Gary Rowett has been named the Championship manager of the month for January and joked he hoped he wouldn't win "because of the so-called curse".

The Oxford United boss was chosen by an EFL panel on Friday morning after an incredible start at the Kassam Stadium.

After only taking over on 20 December, he guided the U's to an unbeaten first full month at the helm, taking 12 points from six matches to climb away from the foot of the table.

The manager of the month 'curse' has been a long-standing topic of debate with some believing the award often precedes the winner's sacking shortly after.

Rowett joked to BBC Radio Oxford that was in his mind when he won.

"I was hoping I didn't win it because of the so-called curse," the 50-year-old said, before adding seriously:

"We wanted to come in and have an impact, of course, but you can only have that impact if the players and the staff buy into what you are trying to do.

"I'm never a big one for these individual awards, I'm respectful of it but I think it's a reward for everybody that's worked hard and everyone who's put an awful lot of effort into the results we have had."

Oxford's first game after his award will be at Derby on Tuesday night (19:45 GMT).

Ciaron Brown was nominated for January's Championship player of the month award

Danny Wilson, who chairs the judging panel, told the EFL website Rowett had "instilled a great mentality" into Oxford, citing their excellent recent form as evidence.

"Consistently securing points in the Championship is hard enough at any time, but when you are around towards the bottom of the table heading into the New Year, pressure begins to mount," Wilson said.

U's defender Ciaron Brown missed out on the player of the month award, which went to Burnley keeper James Trafford, but Rowett told BBC Radio Oxford the 27-year-old had been "absolutely outstanding".

"He's been one of our most consistent players and played to a very high level," the Oxford boss said.

"When I first came in I'd seen a lot of him at left-back and not so much at centre-back.

"He's been every bit as good as anything I've seen so far so certainly deserves that recognition."