April's Sky Bet Player of the Month winners are as follows;
Sky Bet Championship: Arnaut Danjuma (Bournemouth)
Bournemouth forward Arnaut Danjuma has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for April.
A second straight nomination for the flamboyant forward who either scored or assisted 10 of Bournemouth’s 18 goals in April. The movement, pace, balance, all were on show in his five goals, which included a superb strike at Norwich.
Danjuma said: “I’m very happy to lift this trophy and very happy with the way I’ve been playing.
“If I can contribute to the team and help them to get the wins then I’m happy, and I feel like I’ve been doing that.
“My favourite moment of April was the goal against Norwich where I scored in the top corner. It was a very important game for the team and a huge win for us.
“This is a great trophy but the biggest one for us is to hopefully get back into the Premier League.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Danjuma has been one of the most consistent players in the Championship down the stretch, and he was impossible to ignore in regards to this award.
“The attacker was nothing short of sensational in April, racking up ten direct goal involvements during Bournemouth’s strong run of form.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Bournemouth’s Arnaut Danjuma was in outstanding form once again during April as the Dutch forward scored five goals and assisted a further five as he helped his side cement a top six finish.
“Bournemouth are now into 2/1 to be promoted straight back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.”
Sky Bet League One: Josh Magennis (Hull City)
Hull City striker Josh Magennis has been named the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month for April.
Six goals and an assist for the Northern Irishman who timed the best scoring run of his English club career to perfection as Hull clinched promotion. He showed his versatility, mixing clinical low strikes and powerful headers.
Hull manager Grant McCann said: “Josh has been outstanding all season. From the turn of the year, his return has been unbelievable and he’s getting better and better.
“For him to get six in six in April, at such a crucial time of the season, was huge for us. We’re delighted for him.”
Magennis said: “I’m over the moon. First and foremost, you want to get promoted and win the league, but to hit form at such a vital time for us all was absolutely brilliant.
“It’s the stuff you dream of – scoring goals, scoring winners and winning promotion. It’s one of the best runs I’d had; I just felt confident and I knew the team would create chances for me.
“I’m very proud of not only myself but the team because I would be nowhere without them, and for the gaffer for trusting me. It’s a proud moment for me and we got promoted so I’m happy.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “When you’re so close to the finish line and the chances come, it’s vital that they’re taken and there was no finer example in April than Hull’s Josh Magennis.
“As City racked up the points and inched nearer to promotion glory, the Northern Irishman kept his side on the straight and narrow, knocking in six crucial goals during the month of April.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “At the age of 30, Hull Striker Josh Magennis is playing some of the best football of his career under the guidance of fellow Northern Irishman Grant McCann.
“Magennis netted another six goals in April to take his tally to 18 league goals for the season, helping the Tigers win League One (12/1 shot before a ball was kicked) and secure promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
“Magennis was 33/1 to win the League One Golden Boot in September, and although he can no longer win it he has an outside chance of sneaking into the places if he scores at least a brace in their last game against Charlton.”
Sky Bet League Two: Ian Henderson (Salford City)
Salford City striker Ian Henderson has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for April.
Henderson is ending the season as he began it – in form. It wasn’t just his six goals and an assist, it was the timing and importance of his strikes, which included a brilliant volley at Forest Green and late winners against Stevenage and Bradford.
Salford manager Gary Bowyer said: “It’s a very good reflection of the form that he’s been in and how he’s played, and obviously his goals stand out.
“He’s a model pro, he’s a fantastic example to some of the young lads that if you look after yourself you can prolong your career, and he’s an intelligent lad as well.
“From a footballing point of view, it’s not just his goals it’s his work rate, his pressing, his energy rubs off on everybody else and he’s been fantastic to work with.
“Hopefully there’s still more to come from him on Saturday to try and get him into the 20s.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Ian Henderson just keeps on doing what he does best, sticking the ball in the back of the net. At a hugely important time of the season for Salford, the veteran striker was clinical, bagging six times and delivering at just the right time with late winners over both Bradford and Stevenage.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Evergreen Ian Henderson is still one of the most accomplished finishers in League Two and the Salford striker added six more goals during April to take his tally to 17 for the season to help spearhead Salford’s assault on the top 7 which was looking so good, prior to last weekend’s shock defeat to Colchester.
“Henderson was installed as the 7/1 second-favourite for the Golden Boot before a ball was kicked and although Mullin had that award wrapped up long ago, Henderson could come second and reward each-way backers for their faith in him.
“More importantly, he will looking to lead from the front once again to make sure his side gets the win on Saturday and hope results are kind elsewhere for the Ammies to make the Play-Offs, which they are currently 9/2 to do.”
The judging panel for the Sky Bet Player of the Month comprises Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Communications Director Mark Rowan and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.