Tranmere Rovers manager Micky Mellon has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for March whilst Reece Brown of Forest Green Rovers has been awarded the Player of the Month.
Manager of the Month
Tranmere Rovers manager Micky Mellon has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for March.
Mellon has timed his side’s automatic promotion push to perfection. Five wins from five games, an 11-1 goal differential and entertaining play aplenty has his players bursting with confidence and crowds flocking to Prenton Park.
Mellon said: “I always worry about the title of this award because it looks like it is solely just me. I really mean this, it is an entire group effort, including everyone at the Club and the fans.
“We had a fantastic month, it is a whole group reward for a lot of work that went on in a difficult month (March), we got results from good performances. So, it is a great reward for everyone. Well done to all.”
George Burley chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “Micky has really got Tranmere ticking during one of the most important periods of the season.
“A perfect 15 points from five matches - with his exciting team scoring 11 goals and conceding only one - has brought the feel good factor back to Prenton Park.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “It’s at the business stage of the season where a well-timed run of good results can propel a side from mid-table into the Play-Off mix and that’s exactly what happened for Micky Mellon at Tranmere in March.
“The 100% record took them to within four points of the automatic promotion positions and mean that Tranmere’s season is a long way from finished.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Tranmere have been the surprise package in League Two this season and won all five games in March.
“Micky Mellon’s side have all but guaranteed they finish in the Play-Off places (1/25 to make top seven) and are 9/4 shots to be promoted from 11/1 at the start of the month.”
Player of the Month
Forest Green midfielder Reece Brown has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for March.
Brown is in the form of his life and determined to help Forest Green clinch a Play-Off berth.
Given free rein to roam, he was directly involved in every one of their seven goals in March, scoring five himself, including a fine free-kick against Lincoln.
Forest Green manager Mark Cooper said: “I feel very pleased for him. He deserves it, he’s had a great season so far.
“We gave him a little bit of a breather a few weeks ago and he’s reaping the benefits of that. He’s come back strong and hopefully he can see it through to the end of the season.
“I think he can do even more. I think he can drive the team forward and score more goals and make some more goals.”
Brown said: “I’m happy to receive the award. I think I was nominated once earlier in the season and didn’t quite get it done, I didn’t score enough goals, but I am happy to get it now.
“I felt like each game we went into, I just went in thinking I could score again. Once you get one or two, you just get that little feeling.
“It was a good month, it was my birthday month as well and this is the best present I could have got.
“Once you’ve got those goals, you just seem to get yourself in those areas where the opportunity can be presented to you and luckily I could put them away.
“My favourite? For the build-up, my Colchester goal, and then just for the goal itself, the Carlisle goal at home.
“That’s all we want now with five games to go, possibly another three, and hopefully we’re promoted and playing in League One next season.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Mark Cooper was full of praise for Reece Brown after his goals downed Port Vale in the middle of the month, highlighting Brown’s impressive work rate, which fans might not always recognise.
“His contract with Rovers is up at the end of the season, but the club will be doing absolutely everything they can to keep the former Birmingham trainee on their books for the long term.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Reece Brown has also been in the goalscoring form of his life and his goals and performances have helped keep Forest Green in the Play-Off places (1/6 to make top seven).
“The vegan-friendly club are an 11/4 shot for promotion having roughly traded around that price for the past month or so and we will continue to keep them onside.”
