The Manager of the Month awards for the three Sky Bet EFL divisions have been announced and we have all the news and reaction from the winners.
Two in a row for Neil Warnock
Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for March.
Pressure, what pressure? Promotion looms closer after a perfect month against teams beginning with ‘B’ – Barnsley, Birmingham, Brentford and Burton – to follow up February's award.
Judging by Cardiff’s 11-5 goal differential in four games, Warnock has his players enjoying themselves.
Warnock said: “We’ve just had a great season, haven’t we? Whatever happens now, even if we didn’t get another point, we’ve had a fabulous season and I couldn’t fault the lads for the effort they’re putting in.
“For us to be up there is a bit of a miracle really and I’m right proud of them. In every area, the togetherness is there, the camaraderie has come through in our results.
“I feel very proud because I don’t think anyone will mind me saying the club was in a bit of disarray when we came in, both on and off the field.
“But putting it all together and getting bums back on the seats at the same time as a side that are winning games I think is very special.
“I think if you’re a Cardiff fan now, you walk about in town and you’re proud to be a Cardiff fan and you want to come and cheer your team on and I think that’s great. As a manager, I want them to get behind us and the players as well.”
🗣 "For us to be up there is quite a bit of a miracle..."
— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) April 6, 2018
🏆 Congratulations to @CardiffCityFC's Neil Warnock, winner of the @SkyBetChamp Manager of the Month award. #CardiffCity #Bluebirds pic.twitter.com/ng50fvOKtM
Sky Bet: Cardiff 7/1 to win the Championship
George Burley, who chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel, said: “March was another great month for Cardiff City, winning all of their four games.
“Neil has a tremendous record of getting teams promoted and Cardiff now look odds-on for automatic promotion to the Premier League.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman added: “Back-to-back awards at this stage of the season suggest a team who are hitting their peak at just the right time, with Cardiff finding a way to win time and time again.
“Despite Neil’s insistence that they’ll take whatever they can get this season, having got Cardiff into a box seat for automatic promotion, he’ll be determined to complete an incredible job and restore Cardiff’s place in the Premier League.
“It could be argued, should he achieve it that this will be his most outstanding promotion ever!”
Paul Cook: Wigan boss pips Keith Hill, Dan Micciche and John Sheridan to award
Wigan Athletic manager Paul Cook has been named the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for March.
His side made light of a hectic schedule, playing catch-up after their FA Cup heroics. Two exciting draws with promotion rivals Blackburn and Scunthorpe were followed by four wins with a 9-0 goal differential to go top again.
Sky Bet: Wigan 4/6 to win League One
Cook said: "Am I happy to get March’s award? I’d much prefer to get April’s! If I was sitting here with April’s award it would mean that we’ve had a fantastic end to the season.
“After Monday’s defeat at Portsmouth, we’re still very much in the race with two other teams who are both having outstanding seasons.
“We’ve got eight games to go, and like I always say, it’s in our hands now, and as the games filter down wins become massively more important.
“For us, it’s about being focused, enjoying the run in but we’ve got great players in our team. I’ve got great belief in the players and we’ll soon find out what it brings.”
George Burley, who chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel, said: “Wigan Athletic had a very busy schedule in March playing catch-up after their FA Cup heroics. Despite the disappointment of the FA Cup Quarter Final defeat, Paul kept their focus on the league and finished the month undefeated.
“They had started with two draws against rivals Blackburn and Scunthorpe and followed that with four wins and a goal difference of 9 to 0 which took Wigan to the top of the league again.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman added: “This month was so crucial to Wigan’s season, with a huge number of games in hand to contend with, including difficult away games at Bradford, Walsall and direct rivals Blackburn.
“For Cook’s men to come out of it unbeaten, showing great character to come from behind at Blackburn, then keeping four clean sheets in a row, shows the determination in the group to keep their noses in front and ultimately gain promotion to cap a wonderful season.”
👊 An unbeaten month sees @LaticsOfficial primed for a final promotion push.
— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) April 6, 2018
🏆 Paul Cook is the @SkyBetLeagueOne MOTM for March. #WAFC pic.twitter.com/tp60l9uKWq
Coleman wins again
Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for March.
A second straight award for February’s winner and this time his side were perfect. They won all four games and conceded just two goals, beating erstwhile leaders Luton away and taking over at the top of League Two.
Coleman said: “It feels good to be close but it’s no good being close if you don’t go all the way and get where you want to go.
“There’s still a lot of hard work to be done, but the players are relishing the task. I wouldn’t want any different squad to the one I’ve got now.
Sky Bet: Accrington 13/8 to beat Colchester on Saturday
“The players have got the bit between their teeth and they’re very determined, they’re finding a way to win and you need a little bit of luck along the way.
“Sometimes you can make your own luck, but if you work hard and play the game in the opposition’s half, you’ve got a chance of winning.”
George Burley chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “Under John Coleman, Accrington Stanley keep going from strength to strength and March brought a 100% league record.
“They conceded just two goals in winning their four matches, including the fabulous away win at Luton Town which took them to the top of the league.
“What a great achievement for John to win the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month accolade in consecutive months.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Like Cardiff in the Championship, back-to-back awards in February and March are indicators of a team determined to see the job and their quest for promotion through.
“Coleman’s ability to find a winning edge in March and continue to motivate his players was clear to see with four wins coming by just a single goal margin.”
🗣️ "I'd love to get it for April because that would definitely see you up."
— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) April 6, 2018
🔴 @ASFCofficial's boss is hoping for back to back awards.
🏆 John Coleman is the @SkyBetLeagueTwo MOTM for March. #ASFC pic.twitter.com/iqtqLrwqVZ
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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Last updated at 0930 BST 06/04/2018.
