The April nominations for the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month Award are:
Mark Bonner (Cambridge United)
At the turn of the month, Cambridge were six points from safety and had won three of their past 27 games. They won four out of seven matches in April alone as Bonner masterminded a remarkable turnaround to bring hope of survival.
Liam Manning (Oxford United)
When Manning took over, Oxford were in freefall and had five of the top ten to play in April. He stabilised them, then inspired 4-0 and 3-0 wins over Cheltenham and Forest Green, respectively, to all but guarantee safety with 10 points gained.
Kieran McKenna (Ipswich Town)
The April stats alone are staggering. Eight games played, 22 points gained, 27 goals scored and just two conceded. McKenna’s sumptuous side recorded 6-0 wins over Charlton and Exeter and had observers drooling over their football as they won promotion.
Steven Schumacher (Plymouth Argyle)
Schumacher didn’t allow his side to dwell on the despair of a demoralising 4-0 EFL Trophy final defeat at Wembley, guiding them to promotion with a game to spare. A 1-0 victory at Devon rivals Exeter was the highlight of six wins in seven games.
The April nominations for the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month Award are:
Conor Chaplin (Ipswich Town) – striker
A dream month to cap a dream season for Chaplin who scored 10 goals in eight April games and added an assist. Coming onto the ball from a number 10 role has been his making, as shown by his hat-trick against Charlton and a clever lofted finish at Barnsley.
David McGoldrick (Derby County) - striker
McGoldrick’s importance to Derby’s play-off push cannot be overstated. Of the Rams’ eight goals which earned 12 points in the month, the technically precise frontman scored six, shouldering responsibility when it mattered most.
Sam Smith (Cambridge United) - striker
Not only did Smith score in each of Cambridge’s first six games in April, inspiring their unlikely bid to stay up with crucial goals, including a lovely flicked equaliser at Bolton, he did so after breaking his nose in the April 1 win at Port Vale.
Cole Stockton (Morecambe) - striker
Cole the Goal kept alive Morecambe’s survival hopes with an acrobatic finish against Wycombe, a spectacular strike at Charlton, where he also headed off his own line, and a delightful dink against Lincoln among his five goals in six games.
