Sky Bet EFL February Manager of the Month awards for the Championship, League One and League Two

Neil Warnock: Cardiff City boss gets February award

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for February.

Not one to panic in spite of Cardiff’s mid-winter dip, Warnock infused his players with renewed belief and cajoled them to garner 16 points from a possible 18, conceding just two goals and re-claiming second place in the process.

Warnock said: “This particular Manager of the Month award is a special one I think: it’s for the Club as a whole, rather than for me alone. Everybody has pulled together.”

"We had some good results in February and if you asked me to pick one moment in particular then I’d probably say the derby win over Bristol City with Kenneth [Zohore] coming on and getting the late goal.”

“When you look at the number of players we’ve had out injured - which is a team in itself - then you have to credit the lads that have come in and given me everything."

George Burley chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.

He said: “Neil Warnock’s experience of promotion challenges appears to have set Cardiff City up for a late push for the automatic positions.

“The fact they only conceded two goals allowed them to go unbeaten, with important wins against strong sides taking them up to second in the table.”

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Neil picks up his second Manager of the Month at the business end of the season, and it’s testament to his managerial nous that the club have had a second wind, keeping pace with the pack in an enthralling race for second place.

“You feel like he’s getting the very best out of the squad that he has, with a terrifically drilled defense and enough ability going forward to see off their opponents.”

Derek Adams: Sky Bet League One's award winner

Plymouth manager Derek Adams has been named the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for February.

What began as a climb away from the foot of the table in December has blossomed into a full-on tilt at promotion. Maintained his side’s focus superbly, guiding them to five wins out of five with Blackburn and Shrewsbury among their victims.

Adams said: “It’s important that you win awards, as it shows the success you are having at the football club.

“We try and break records and be successful. Part of that success is picking up the manager of the month award.

“We are on a fabulous run. It’s a great testament to the players and the staff that we have won it."

George Burley chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.

He said: “Derek endured a difficult start to his first season in League One but now his team are climbing the table quickly and have regained that winning momentum that saw them promoted last season.

“A perfect month is always pleasing but to beat the top two teams in the process will have filled Derek and Plymouth with plenty of confidence heading into the final months of the campaign.”

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “One of the standout stories of the season will be Plymouth’s remarkable rise from bottom of the table in December to the Play-Off spots by the end of February, whatever happens from this point onwards.

“It was clear that Derek had really bad luck with injuries in the first few months of the season, but to inspire a turnaround like the one they’ve experienced takes a huge level of skill and this award is richly deserved.”

Strong February for Coleman's Accrington

Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for February.

Stanley were fifth when February began, jostling for position in the play-off places. A stellar month of performances under Coleman’s wily guidance later, and 16 points for a possible 18 lifted them into second, within three points of leaders Luton.

Coleman said: “I’m just a small cog in a process that tries to get as many points on the board as we can; we’ve got good staff here and good players.

“If we can win the award next month and the month after, we’ll get where we want to go, which is promoted.

“Hard work has been vital to what we’ve done in February, we didn’t have the best December, and we knew we had to knuckle down and work a bit harder and apply ourselves a bit better, and we did.”

George Burley chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.

He said: “A packed schedule can either be a blessing or a curse, but John Coleman and his team took full advantage of their great form and are now serious contenders for automatic promotion with 16 points from six games in February.

“An important comeback against Stevenage started the run going as Accrington Stanley remained unbeaten through February.”

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “When the games come thick and fast, you find out a lot about your players, and Coleman’s team of seasoned pros coped brilliantly with the demanding fixture list

“With a few of the older lads still nursing the painful memories of having promotion snatched from them two seasons ago, Coleman won’t have to search too hard for motivating the squad for the run-in this season.”

The Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel comprises former Ipswich Town manager George Burley, Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Marketing Director Drew Barrand, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet EFL trader Mikey Mumford.

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