Barnsley boss Lee Johnson has been named the Sky Bet League 1 Manager of the Month for January
Johnson continued the momentum his side built up in December by leading them to a perfect record of five wins from five with a 13-2 goal differential.He has his team playing fluent passing football to which they have added a steely edge.
Johnson said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have picked up this award.
"We have picked up some fantastic results against some very good teams both home and away, and credit must go to the staff and players who have really worked hard over the past couple of months, and also to the supporters for sticking by us.”
George Burley, who chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel, said: “Lee has kept Barnsley’s excellent momentum going throughout January gaining a maximum 15 points.
“They had three away wins and two more at home which included an impressive 6–1 victory against Rochdale.”
Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “The Sky Bet League 1 Manager of the Month award is a victory for patience and loyalty.
“Lee Johnson has lead Barnsley to eight successive wins, an impressive feat considering the torrid time the club went through in October and November when it would have been easy for the powers that be to panic and remove the manager.
“It’s wonderful to see such loyalty rewarded in a day and age where all too many succumb to the short-termism within modern day football.”
Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “Lee Johnson’s Barnsley have been in sublime form now for several weeks now and they won all five of their league games in January.
“The Tykes now sit comfortably in mid table in having flirted with relegation when they lost seven games on the trot at the back end of October."
The Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel comprises former Ipswich Town boss George Burley, Sky Sports’ Football League expert Don Goodman; Football League Chief Operating Officer Andy Williamson; League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery.