Sky Bet EFL January awards: Player of the Month and Manager of the Month winners announced
The Player of the Month and Manager of the Month award winners for the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two have been announced.
Sky Bet Championship
It was double delight for Blackburn as they scooped both the Player of the Month and Manager of the Month awards in the Sky Bet Championship.
It was the perfect start to 2019 for Tony Mowbray's Rovers as they moved to within three points of the play-off points. They picked up a maximum 12 points from their four games and now find themselves firmly in the mix for promotion this season. While the attacking element of the side has caught the eye, the decision to move midfielder Jack Rodwell into the centre of defence has proven to be an inspired decision.
Speaking about winning the award, Mowbray told Sporting Life: "West Brom and Sheffield United, that was a tough period for us. Yet we were determined through January to get back on our horse really. The team did the deed really, we won four on the bounce, and they were important points for us.
"We've got to put it into context of where we came from. We came up from League One and we've competed in this division. When you can have consistency in your performance and get results like we did, we had three clean sheets in those four wins which is important for us, it's given us a chance looking at the last 16 games now to try and shoot to see if we can get into the play-offs.
"More than probably half the league will still be believing they can do that as well. We're in the mix, we're competing against some pretty big football teams but enjoying the challenge of this season."
One player who did stand out though was Adam Armstrong. The attacking midfielder contributed two goals and four assists, alongside winning a penalty in what was a highly-influential month. He is a player who can utilise his pace and has thrived in the wide role, sitting behind main striker Danny Graham and it has worked wonders for Blackburn.
On being named the division's best player in January, Armstrong added: "It's been a great month. Since I joined last season, I've enjoyed my football here and I'm playing well and I'm scoring goals.
"We've got a great group, if you ask any of the lads, we all get on. That's the main thing, I think, if we've got a good togetherness we'll hopefully keep pushing on and getting the three points every week."
Sky Bet League One
In Sky Bet League One, Scunthorpe manager Stuart McCall has been named Manager of the Month following a strong January showing from his side. They had lost six straight games in a row up to the latter stages of December, with just one goal to their name during that run. However, with McCall sticking to his methods and beliefs, alongside strong additions in the transfer window, led to them picking up 13 points from a possible 15. That form saw the Iron push themselves clear of the relegation zone.
On the award, McCall said: "Obviously it's a nice accolade, not for me personally, but for the club, for the players and for the staff.
"It'll go next to the one I won in December for the worst manager of the month! When you look at the run we were on and for the players to turn it around in January like we did, it's full credit to them.
"We've cut out the individual errors, worked extremely hard and showed good togetherness and teamwork, but we want to continue that now."
Luton have established themselves as goal machines in the Sky Bet EFL this season. That's thanks in part to James Collins' contribution, and his form in front of goal continued in January. The striker netted six goals in five games during the month, that helped Luton move to the top of the table and establish themselves as the favourites for the third tier title.
The Hatters forward commented: "This is the first time I’ve won an award like this. I’ve been nominated a few times, so I’m delighted to finally get my name on one.
"That said, I wouldn’t have been able to do it with the rest of the boys. Kazenga LuaLua, Jack Stacey and Luke Berry have been brilliant in setting up all my goals in January, but the rest of the team have been phenomenal.
"We’ve had a great month, remaining unbeaten, and that always helps when you’re going into games because you’re full of confidence. The other lads get as much credit as I do for this award, and Mick Harford, who fully deserved his nomination for Manager of the Month."
Sky Bet League Two
As was the case in November, Bury have claimed both awards following another solid month.
Their manager Ryan Lowe has guided Bury to more victories and that has seen them firmly in the automatic promotion mix. They came from 3-1 down to beat MK Dons 4-3 and also saw a 3-3 draw against Lincoln. That saw the Shaker gain 13 points from their five league games in the month.
Discussing his second award in three months, Lowe said: "It’s nice to be recognised for the work we’re doing. A lot of credit has to go to my staff and my players because without them it wouldn’t be possible.
"It shows that the work we’re doing, the style of football we’re playing, is getting recognised for the right reasons. We’re scoring goals and doing ever so well, so long may that continue.
"The hard work gets harder now, the games are coming thick and fast and we’re nearly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel because there’s only 14 games after Saturday left, but we’re relishing it."
It's another award for Jay O'Shea with the Bury midfielder in fine goalscoring form. He scored another five in January, four of which were equalisers or put his side ahead. A real talent and someone who has helped Bury massively reach their current position of third.
O'Shea added: "It’s brilliant, these awards are nice, but what we set out at the start of the season was to get promoted, so these will mean nothing if we don’t go up.
"The team have been excellent, I think everyone at the club has been from the staff all the way down and the supporters have been great this season so it definitely helps when everyone is chipping in together.
"I’m really enjoying my role this season, it was a little bit different for me at the start so it took a few games to get used to it, with a lot of coaching from the staff as well.
"I’ve only ever won one of these before this season, so to win two in three months is excellent."
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