Friday 9 March 2018 11:56, UK
Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for February.
Not one to panic in spite of Cardiff's mid-winter dip, Warnock infused his players with renewed belief and cajoled them to garner 16 points from a possible 18, conceding just two goals and re-claiming second place in the process.
Warnock said: "This particular Manager of the Month award is a special one I think: it's for the Club as a whole, rather than for me alone. Everybody has pulled together. We had some good results in February and if you asked me to pick one moment in particular then I'd probably say the derby win over Bristol City with Kenneth [Zohore] coming on and getting the late goal.
"When you look at the number of players we've had out injured - which is a team in itself - then you have to credit the lads that have come in and given me everything."
Barnsley striker Oli McBurnie has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for February.
The young Scot has made a startling impact at Oakwell, scoring four goals in four starts - all but one of Barnsley's tally in February. He wants the ball all the time, loves to take on defenders using his trickery and knows how to finish.
McBurnie said: "It is the best start I could have asked for on a personal note. Coming out on loan it was about coming down and getting some games and scoring some goals and thankfully this month I have been able to do that and it is a good start and hopefully now I can carry it on.
"The boys have been a massive help, settling in straight away is a massive part when you come on loan and getting involved."
Manager: Derek Adams, Plymouth Argyle
What began as a climb away from the foot of the table in December for Adams and Plymouth has blossomed into a full-on tilt at promotion. Maintained his side's focus superbly, guiding them to five wins out of five with Blackburn and Shrewsbury among their victims.
Adams said: "It's important that you win awards, as it shows the success you are having at the football club. We try and break records and be successful. Part of that success is picking up the manager of the month award.
"We are on a fabulous run. It's a great testament to the players and the staff that we have won it."
Player: Adam Armstrong, Blackburn Rovers
Armstrong has brought pace and directness to the Rovers attack with four goals and an assist - all in the month in which he turned 21. A perfect foil for Danny Graham, he demonstrated the confidence of youth with two cool finishes at Portsmouth.
Armstrong said: "I think we've got a great togetherness. It's been unbelievable since I've come here. Everyone makes you feel welcome and it's amazing to be around that sort of atmosphere. It's pushing us on in the games and in training every week. We're getting the three points, which is the main thing, and we've just got to keep going now.
"I'm a pretty level-headed guy, so I'm just getting on with the job that I've got in front of me and that's giving my all for Blackburn Rovers and I think I'm doing that at the minute and it's helping the team."
Manager: John Coleman, Accrington Stanley
Stanley were fifth when February began, jostling for position in the play-off places. A stellar month of performances under Coleman's wily guidance later, and 16 points for a possible 18 lifted them into second, within three points of leaders Luton.
Coleman said: "I'm just a small cog in a process that tries to get as many points on the board as we can; we've got good staff here and good players. If we can win the award next month and the month after, we'll get where we want to go, which is promoted.
"Hard work has been vital to what we've done in February, we didn't have the best December, and we knew we had to knuckle down and work a bit harder and apply ourselves a bit better, and we did."
Player: Marc Richards, Swindon Town
Have goals, will travel. Swindon is the 35-year-old forward's 11th club of his career, yet the results are the same. Equally adept with head and feet, his five goals in six games owed everything to his predatory instincts and calmness.
Richards said: "I am obviously delighted with how things have gone. I couldn't have asked for anything more from the club, my team mates and the staff.
"To come here and to hit the ground running has been the perfect start for me and to pick up a few goals on the way has been a big help."
