Newport County defender Mickey Demetriou has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for April.
Demetriou has been an invaluable January addition to the Newport defence. Dominant as his side kept four clean sheets, he also made a telling impact with three goals, including a long-range winner against Crawley and a crucial free-kick against Yeovil.Newport manager Mick Flynn said: “Mickey has been very good for us. He’s scored some excellent and goals and has been consistent at the back.
“Defenders tend to pride themselves on clean sheets so keeping four of those against some tough opposition has been excellent. I’m delighted that Mickey is being rewarded for his efforts.”
Demetriou said: “I have never been nominated for this award before so I was pleased just to be in contention, to come out on top is a very proud moment for me.
“Receiving this award is great, not only from a personal point of view but it’s also a recognition for what the whole team has achieved this month.
“To be part of a defence that has kept four clean sheets always feel good as a defender as that’s our main job, but to score three goals and help the team at the other end of the pitch is an added bonus.
“From where we were at the start of April, to pick up four wins in six games and put our fate in our own hands going into the last game of the season is an unbelievable achievement from all the lads and everyone involved in the club.
“I wouldn’t be picking up this award without them but like the gaffer keeps telling us, we haven’t achieved anything yet and we have one more cup final left to hopefully finish this season off where we want to be, and be part of an incredible story.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “It’s incredibly unusual for a defender to score three goals in a month, but when two of those goals secures six points and lift his team out of the relegation places then individual acknowledgements are sure to follow.
“The revival that we’ve witnessed from Newport under Mick Flynn over the last month has been incredible and they’re within touching distance of securing another season in the EFL.”
Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “The pressure is really on when you’re facing the prospect of dropping out of the EFL.
“Mickey has really delivered at both ends of the pitch contributing to four clean sheets but also scoring some sensational goals.”
The judging panel for the Sky Bet Player of the Month comprises Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Communications Director Mark Rowan, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery.