In what has been a season of surprises in the Sky Bet Championship, a number of managers have defied the odds to help their side overachieve.
The Championship has been extremely competitive at both the top and the bottom end of the table this season, despite there being disparities between the size of clubs and the wealth of resources that some clubs have had to work with.
As we enter the middle of February, the Championship table is starting to shape up with a few unexpected success stories which were not anticipated to happen before the season started.
One of the reasons for the success that some of these teams have had this season is the influence that some managers have had.
As well as recognisable improvement in the quality and competitiveness of the Sky Bet Championship this season, there has also been an improvement in the quality of the managers, some of whom have overachieved.
FLW writer Elliott Wheat-Bowen has identified three managers who have overachieved this season.
Nigel Clough (Burton Albion)
Working on the smallest budget with the smallest squad in the entirety of the Championship, not many expected Nigel Clough's Burton Albion to be able to compete at all.
However, Burton Albion has proved to be one of the surprise packages this season and they currently sit 21st in the table, three points clear of the relegation zone.
As many predicted Burton Albion to be cut adrift at the bottom as one of the guarantees to return back to the League 1 table, Nigel Clough's side have overachieved.
Nigel Clough's work at Burton Albion has not gone unnoticed as Nottingham Forest approached Clough with the offer to become Nottingham Forest's manager after the departure of Philippe Montanier.
If Nigel Clough could mastermind Burton Albion's survival, he could prove to be not only the most overachieving manager in the Championship but also a genuine contender for the manager of the season award.
Garry Monk (Leeds United)
Very few would have expected Leeds United to be in the heart of the play-off picture with an outside chance of automatic promotion at the beginning of the season.
Under difficult circumstances and an unstable off the field environment, Garry Monk has had the longest managerial reign under Massimo Cellino's ownership.
The former Swansea gaffer has been working wonders on the pitch with a side that finished 13th in the Championship last season.
Having lost Lewis Cook in the summer and the difficult situation regarding Charlie Taylor, Garry Monk and Leeds United have overachieved this season.
With Leeds United likely to finish to the in the play-off positions, it will be a season of success led by Garry Monk.
David Wagner (Huddersfield Town)
As Huddersfield Town currently sit third in the Championship, David Wagner's achievements with a side that finished 19th last season are remarkable.
Considering that Huddersfield Town spent only £4m over two transfer windows to create a tight-knit squad which is competing at the very top, it is a testament to Wagner's ability to work with limited resources.
The German coach has shown an astute eye in the transfer market as well as excellent man management skills which have enabled him to rotate the squad whilst maintaining the level of consistency needed.
Although many believed that Huddersfield's 19th place finish was a false position, nobody expected Huddersfield to have the success that they have had this season.
Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion remain favourites for the automatic promotion places, however, David Wagner's Huddersfield Town side are the form team in the Championship.
It appears that if either Newcastle or Brighton begins to stutter or slip up, they will be there to pounce on the mistake which could see them earn promotion to the Premier League or at the very least finish the season in the play-off places.