The winner for the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month Award for December is...
Sky Bet League Two: Derek Adams (Morecambe)
Morecambe manager Derek Adams has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for December.
The perennial relegation strugglers are now contenders thanks to Adams, who has instilled belief and fresh ambitions into the Lancashire club. They won five of their six December games, including all four home fixtures.
Adams said: “"We're obviously delighted. I think we've had an excellent December period where we took five wins from some really tough games and collected 15 points to put ourselves in the play-off positions. It was an excellent month for myself, the team and Carlos Gomes, who was shortlisted for the Player of the Month. It’s testament to the whole squad.
“We’ve been a team that has progressed well throughout the season. We’ve been unfortunate in games to have not picked up more points but with the way we’ve created chances, we’re up there with the best teams in the league.”
Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “It was a brilliant December run for Derek and his team, winning five out of six games which propelled them into the Play-Off places.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “December is always tricky for any team, so navigating the month with a 100% record on your home ground has to be commended.
Morecambe were resilient to the extreme in the lead-up to Christmas.
“Inspired by Derek Adams, the Lancashire side won four from four at the Mazuma Stadium, and were even able to take an extra win on the road, putting them in position to be a contender at the turn of the year.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Morecambe have been flying high under Derek Adams all season and The Shrimps topped the form table in December thanks to four wins from five games which has propelled them up to seventh place in the table.
“Morecambe are perennial favourites for relegation and this year was no different. The Lancashire club were chalked up as 4/1 for the drop before a ball was kicked, but after a good run of form, they can be backed at as big as 80/1 for relegation.
“Safe to say we’re pretty confident that Morecambe will continue the trend of being the only club (along with AFC Wimbledon) in the top four levels of English football never to have been relegated!
“Adams’ side are most definitely looking up and not down this season and are 7/1 for promotion from 20/1 at the start of the month.
“They are 9/4 to finish in the top seven, which would represent an excellent season for Adams and his players if they could pull it off.”
The winner for the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month Award for December is...
Sky Bet League Two: Max Watters (Crawley Town)
Crawley Town striker Max Watters has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for December.
Another six goals in six games for the 21-year-old striker who seemingly came from nowhere prior to joining Crawley in October. Two superb finishes as a substitute at Mansfield were followed by a poacher’s hat-trick against Barrow.
Crawley manager John Yems said: “Max has been a top lad since we picked him up at the beginning of the season and has given us goals that have been so important so far this season.”
Watters said: “It’s an honour to win this award. It’s all thanks to the lads in the team and the management staff. John Yems and Lee Bradbury have been amazing with me since I joined here a few months ago.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Max Watters introduced himself in a massive way during December, consistently hitting the scoresheet for Crawley.
“The 21-year-old made League Two headlines with his hat-trick against Barrow, but they were only half the goals he scored in the festive period. Before that trio, Watters had already bagged two from off the bench at Mansfield, and another strike took his record to an impressive six from six.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Crawley are flying high in sixth place in Sky Bet League Two mainly thanks to Max Watters goals.
“The striker scored another six goals in six games during December to take his total to thirteen goals in fourteen league games since joining the Red Devils in October.
“Watters now sits in third place in the scorer charts and a 10/1 shot (from 50/1 at the start of the month) to finish the season as Sky Bet League Two’s top marksman.
“Cambridge striker Paul Mullin is five clear at the top and Leyton Orient forward Danny Johnson is in second, just one clear of Watters in third, but should nobody prize Watters away from Crawley in the January window you have to believe that he will at least be in the frame come the end of the season.”