The winners of the Sky Bet EFL Manager of the Month Awards for April are as follows;
Bournemouth manager Jonathan Woodgate has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for April.
The lessons he learned in a difficult baptism at Middlesbrough have been quickly put into practice in Dorset. Showing swagger and steel, Bournemouth moved into the top six with six wins from seven games and an 18-6 goal differential.
Woodgate said: “I’m proud to be the recipient of this award but this is a collective effort and should go to all of my staff.
“I cannot thank them enough for the support they have given me since I arrived at the club, and we have worked tirelessly together to secure our place in the play-offs.
“We had some good performances over the month and some in which we had to dig deep and grind out the results, but the players showed great character and rose to the challenge every week.
“Seven consecutive wins is tough at any level, and the squad should be incredibly proud of that achievement.”
Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “Jonathan and his team were looking out of the Play-Off picture a few weeks ago, but six wins from seven have put them in a great position. With Stoke at home on their last game of the season, their Play-Off destiny is in their own hands.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Prior to running into Brentford at the end of the month, Bournemouth’s April had been perfect.
“If the Cherries end up returning to the top flight, fans will look back fondly on their April form being pivotal to their success, with Jonathan Woodgate’s tactical tweaks reaping rewards.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Jonathan Woodgate's Bournemouth side are heading into the Play-Offs as the in-form team in the Championship, having won the last three games on the spin and are 2/1 second favs (behind Brentford) for promotion straight back to the Premier League.
“The Cherries were one of the favourites for promotion at the start of the season at 7/2 but they suffered a bad run of form during January which saw them almost fall out of the top 6, and go as big as 8/1 for promotion.
“After parting company with manager Jason Tindall and appointing Woodgate, promotion is very much back on the cards for the South-coast outfit and have a Play-Off semi-final tie to prepare for.”
Sky Bet League One: Grant McCann (Hull City)
Hull City manager Grant McCann has been named the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for April.
McCann’s side played six games in April, fewer than most of their promotion rivals, but what use of them they made, winning five, drawing one and scoring 14 goals. What mattered most was the 2-1 victory at Lincoln which clinched a return to the Championship.
McCann said: “It’s all about the team. We all chipped in last month and it was a good month for us with five wins and a draw.
“It’s been a monumental effort from everyone to get us where we are. We’ve been consistent in our performances over the last two or three months.
“That’s coincided with good results, particularly the game away at Lincoln, which was a tough game but we came back to win and get promoted.
“We’re absolutely delighted with how the season has panned out; it’s been a huge team effort.”
Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “What a way to win the league, unbeaten in April and only dropping points against Sunderland. Congratulations to Grant returning to the Championship at the first attempt.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “If 16 points from a possible 18 wasn’t enough to clinch Grant McCann’s Manager of the Month award, they proved to be the points that secured Hull City’s promotion back into the Championship at the first time of asking.
“When push came to shove, McCann’s Hull side were up to the task, with their crucial win over fellow promotion rivals Lincoln City a perfect illustration that they’re the best team in the division.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “After dropping just two points during April, Grant McCann’s Hull secured the League One Title last weekend by defeating Wigan to reward preseason backers at odds of 12/1.
“McCann was heavily criticised after relegation last term but the board stuck with him and he has fully repaid their faith in him.
“It’s the first time the club have won a league title in 55 years and no other club in English football have scored more goals than The Tigers with 80 this time around.
“Sky Bet have chalked them up at 8/1 to achieve promotion again next year back to the Premier League.”
Sky Bet League Two: Gary Bowyer (Salford City)
Salford City manager Gary Bowyer has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for April.
The demands at Salford are great, but Bowyer showed a cool head in masterminding five wins and a 17-point bonanza from eight games. The catalyst was a 2-0 victory at Forest Green as Bowyer’s men ended April in the Play-Off places.
Bowyer said: “First and foremost it’s a massive reflection on the team and the players, and the staff, more than myself.
“Of course it’s an achievement to be recognised, but I would like to thank the players for their contributions that have made it possible.”
Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “17 points gained in April has put Salford within touching distance of the play-off positions which is a great effort by Gary and his men. Big home game against Leyton Orient to come and all they can do is win.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “With the pressure firmly on, Salford showcased some excellent consistency in April, keeping them in touching distance of those all-important Play-Off spots.
“Despite some tricky opposition, Gary Bowyer was able to marshal his troops supremely in an eight-game schedule, picking up no fewer than 17 huge points. He had to hit the ground running in the circumstances and he most certainly did.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Gary Bowyer’s Salford side were the in-form team in League Two last month, but a shock defeat suffered against Colchester United last weekend took them from 1/5 to finish in the Play-Off spots, to 9/2 going into the final league fixture against Leyton Orient.
“However, take nothing away from the job that Bowyer has done at the club since his arrival, with the 10 games in charge so far giving Sky Bet enough confidence to install Salford as League Two favourites next season should they fail to achieve promotion this time around.”
