The March nominations for the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month Award are:
Wade Elliott (Cheltenham Town)
Cheltenham entered the month as League One’s lowest scorers. They rectified that under Elliott’s patient guidance as they welcomed back players from injury, gaining confidence by scoring nine goals to collect 11 points from five games.
Mark Jackson (MK Dons)
It hadn’t been the easiest of starts for Jackson at stadium:mk. He put that right when it mattered, guiding his side to narrow but crucial victories over relegation rivals Cambridge, Accrington and Morecambe, all by the same 1-0 scoreline.
Kieran McKenna (Ipswich Town)
McKenna maintained his players’ belief impressively during a fitful start to 2023. He was rewarded with a perfect 12 points and four clean sheets from four March games as the Tractor Boys convincingly closed back in on the top two.
Steven Schumacher (Plymouth Argyle)
Schumacher’s confidence in his squad has never wavered in spite of key players either moving on or suffering injuries. That faith inspired Argyle to 12 points from five matches as they regained the leadership of League One at a crucial time.
The March nominations for the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month Award are:
Alfie May (Cheltenham Town) - striker
May led the Cheltenham charge in March with a series of wonder strikes among his five goals and an assist. A volleyed winner against Fleetwood was bettered even by an astonishing lob at Peterborough and another stunning volley.
Jay Stansfield (Exeter City) - striker
Playing as a wide striker, Stansfield’s stamina in tormenting defenders for 90 minutes is staggering in one so young. It is intelligent running run, too, which he supplemented with two goals and three more direct goal involvements.
Christian Walton (Ipswich Town) – goalkeeper
The 27-year-old is on a club clean sheets record run and didn’t concede in four games. Organiser of his defence, his most telling contributions came at promotion rivals Bolton with a series of superb saves and a crucial penalty stop.
Joe Ward (Peterborough United) - right back
It is hard to define Ward by a particular position, having played as a right-back, a wing-back and a wide midfielder in March. What is certain is his impact on games, scoring two goals, while four others came directly from his superbly whipped crosses.