Scunthorpe United boss Graham Alexander has been named the Sky Bet League 1 Manager of the Month for April.
After a narrow defeat to begin the month, victory over second-placed Burton Albion was the first of five successive wins which lifted Scunthorpe to the fringe of the Play-Off places and underlined Alexander’s impact since arriving at Glanford Park.Alexander said: "We were 10 points adrift of the Play-Offs at the start of the month and we gave the players a target of winning as many games as they could.
“We wanted to show that even though people said we had nothing to play for we still cared about the club and wanted to put on a show. The momentum just built from there.”
George Burley, who chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel, said: “Graham has done fantastically since coming in. He took over when Scunthorpe were 13th but the five wins in April have given them a great chance of reaching the Play-Offs in the last game.”
Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “A glowing April has brought Scunthorpe to the verge of a Play-Off place. With only four goals conceded in six games, the form they showed was as good as any other team in the division.
“With only one win in their last four games, Barnsley have allowed Scunthorpe to dream of a Play-Off spot now they’ve drawn level on points.
“With Barnsley away at Sky Bet League 1 Champions Wigan, Scunthorpe will believe they can sneak into sixth place on Sunday.”
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.