Birmingham City manager Pep Clotet has stated that he's surprised that Blues striker Scott Hogan won the player of the month award.

Clotet was more in amazement that his side had been awarded something by the EFL, and did give credit to Hogan who endured an excellent month for the club.

Since joining from local rivals Aston Villa on loan, Hogan has been in tremendous form for the team and netted seven goals in his first eight matches for Birmingham.

He's been in inspired form, and helped the side to a ten-match unbeaten run, which ended last weekend against Reading.

Clotet has expressed that he's surprised an award has come to Birmingham but did admit that he's not surprised in the slightest claiming he knew the ability Hogan had at his disposal when signing the forward.

Speaking to Birmingham Live, Clotet said: "It surprised me that Birmingham got an award!

"We are very happy. I’m not surprised that he got it because we all knew that he had the ability to do so and he managed to do it with the help of everyone here."

Can you get 100% in this Birmingham City quiz? Have a go now!

The Verdict

Birmingham have had a good campaign so far, especially after the last few years of really poor seasons with troubles financially off the pitch.

Blues will be delighted about the impact that Hogan has made since joining the club, and there'll be desperate to keep him on a permanent deal heading into the next campaign.

Hogan has shown signs that he's heading back to become the striker he once was at Brentford, and that was a really prolific forward for the Bees.

Clotet is clearly taking a dig at the EFL here, but has tried to make less noticeable. There will be a lot of Birmingham fans who'll enjoy the comments made.