We round up the news and reaction following the announcement of the the Player of the Month in the three Sky Bet EFL divisions.
McBurnie excelling at Barnsley
Barnsley striker Oli McBurnie has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for February.
The young Scot has made a startling impact at Oakwell, scoring four goals in four starts - all but one of Barnsley’s tally in February. He wants the ball all the time, loves to take on defenders using his trickery and knows how to finish.
Barnsley manager Jose Morais said: “I think it’s deserved, he’s a young player with an influence on the team. So far he’s been excellent and scored four goals in four games in February which is great for us. I think he’s creating a strong impact in the team and this proves he’s a talent and a young talent too, I totally agree with the award being given to him. It’s an intelligent way for people to show they’re paying attention to the young players in the league when they receive such a good award, so we are thankful for this."
McBurnie said: “It is the best start I could have asked for on a personal note. Coming out on loan it was about coming down and getting some games and scoring some goals and thankfully this month I have been able to do that and it is a good start and hopefully now I can carry it on.”
“The boys have been a massive help, settling in straight away is a massive part when you come on loan and getting involved.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “If Barnsley survive in the Sky Bet Championship this season, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was down to the arrival of Oli McBurnie.
“To come in on loan at a team that is really struggling, and are as low on confidence as Barnsley are, and to score four of their five goals in your first month is a really outstanding effort.”
Armstrong continues to impress
Blackburn Rovers striker Adam Armstrong has been named the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month for February.
Brought pace and directness to the Rovers attack with four goals and an assist – all in the month in which he turned 21. A perfect foil for Danny Graham, he demonstrated the confidence of youth with two cool finishes at Portsmouth.
Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray said: “It's been no surprise to me to be fair. I've worked with Adam at this level before. He has qualities and attributes that I utilise.
"He's a fantastic lad and a great personality. He fits in great with the dressing room. He just has the right qualities that this team needs. If you've got a Jack Payne or a Bradley Dack, who can manipulate the ball and slide passes in behind teams, you need speed and Adam brings fantastic speed and directness, so I think the combination works well.
"I'm delighted that he's won an award. He's probably won one or two in the past, but I'm pleased for him because it shows that he's doing well and scoring goals."
Armstrong said: "I think we've got a great togetherness. It's been unbelievable since I've come here. Everyone makes you feel welcome and it's amazing to be around that sort of atmosphere. It's pushing us on in the games and in training every week. We're getting the three points, which is the main thing, and we've just got to keep going now.
"I'm a pretty level-headed guy, so I'm just getting on with the job that I've got in front of me and that's giving my all for Blackburn Rovers and I think I'm doing that at the minute and it's helping the team."
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “To come in on loan to one of the division’s strongest teams and slot in seamlessly is a really impressive feat.
“Armstrong is proving he can score goals wherever he plays and for Tony Mowbray to put him straight into his team shows the high regard in which he is held.”
Richards scoops Sky Bet League Two award
Swindon Town striker Marc Richards has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for February.
Have goals, will travel. Swindon is the 35-year-old forward’s 11th club of his career, yet the results are the same. Equally adept with head and feet, his five goals in six games owed everything to his predatory instincts and calmness.
Swindon Town caretaker manager Matt Taylor said: "It is great for him because what Marc has shown throughout his career is that he scores goals.
"I believe that it was a real big coup for us to get him and it was important that we got a goalscorer in.”
"Marc is a great lad, he's a good leader, he's got loads of experience and he's a mate of mine so I am really happy that he's won the award.”
"He'll want to kick on now, get more goals and fire us towards where we want to get to."
Richards said: “I am obviously delighted with how things have gone. I couldn’t have asked for anything more from the club, my team mates and the staff. To come here and to hit the ground running has been the perfect start for me and to pick up a few goals on the way has been a big help.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “When you’ve been at a club for four years and had the success that Richards had at Northampton, it can be hard to leave that all behind and start again.
“Swindon definitely presents a new challenge, but it’s one that Marc has taken to with gusto, firing the goals that have brought them into Play-Off contention once more.”
The judging panel for the Sky Bet Player of the Month comprises Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Communications Director Mark Rowan, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet EFL trader Mikey Mumford.