Southampton have been rewarded for a fine September with Ronald Koeman and Graziano Pelle winning the Premier League's Manager of the Month and Player of the Month awards respectively.
The Saints, who currently sit third in the table, picked up three straight league wins against Newcastle, Swansea and Queens Park Rangers, as well as a Capital One Cup victory at Arsenal.
The club's performances this season are all the more impressive given that many predicted a tough campaign ahead for them following the summer's mass exodus which saw the likes of manager Mauricio Pochettino and key players Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert leave.
CONFIRMED: @RonaldKoeman is September's #BPL Manager of the Month, while @GPelle19 is Player of the Month! #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/Y2vHD9Pj35
- Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) October 17, 2014
Pochettino's replacement Koeman saw off competition from Crystal Palace's Neil Warnock, Leicester boss Nigel Pearson and Jose Mourinho of Chelsea to land the managers' prize.
"It's a great compliment," Koeman told Southampton's official website. "It's a personal prize for the manager, but I have to say thanks to the players, it's always those on the pitch who win games.
"We had a great month, which was maybe unexpected for a lot of people and maybe that's had an influence on this prize. Everybody was a little afraid before the season, but we've done a great job -- all of the coaches and the technical staff, and all of the people at the club.
"This means a lot, and now we have to take the next step. It's now October, and September is behind us. We have to look forward and we'd like to celebrate with three points against Sunderland [on Saturday]."
Meanwhile, Pelle, a summer signing from Feyenoord, scored three goals in September to help inspire Southampton, including a stunning overhead kick against QPR.
The Italy international, who scored on his Azzurri debut earlier this month, topped a six-man shortlist that also included teammate Morgan Schneiderlin.
"I'm really happy," he said. "I'm proud of myself, but it's not just about me. Thanks go to the staff, my teammates and all of the supporters because we are all together.
"I'm really happy in general with what I've been doing over the last couple of years. I believe that this is the most beautiful job in the world, and I am enjoying it a lot. I'm also really happy for the coach -- he really deserves it. Now we have to keep going, but for now we will enjoy this moment and these prizes."
Koeman and Pelle have had plenty of experience working together, with the striker having previously played under the Dutchman at AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord.