BLACK CATS DOUBLE
Manager Jack Ross and winger Aiden McGeady bag prizes
THE good times are back at Sunderland this season – and a trophy double is further evidence of that.
Manager Jack Ross has scooped the Sky Bet EFL Manager of the Month award for February, while winger Aiden McGeady has landed the Player of the Month accolade.
The Black Cats earned 1 2 points from six unbeaten games to improve their chances of earning immediate promotion back to the Championship.
Ross said: “It’s always nice to be nominated. It’s a surprise to receive it because of the record of some of the other people in this league.
“While it is me who picks it up, it is very much a reflection of all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes and the staff that are involved in that.”
Ability
Wideman McGeady notched four goals in six games to spur Sunderland on, and Ross hailed the Republic of Ireland international.
“I have got a lot of players who have different attributes and all contribute to us winning, but Aiden has got that x-factor to make us win games,” said the former St Mirren manager.
“There’s few players who are blessed with that ability and working with him day in, day out, I’ve understood just how good he is.
“He is an immensely talented footballer but you have got to have the attitude, desire and application to back that up and he’s certainly done that this season.”
Former Celtic and Everton man McGeady, 32, said: “It’s good that your efforts are recognised, but the main thing is the team has been playing well.”
In the Championship, Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has claimed the manager gong, while Birmingham City striker Che Adams has picked up the player award.
A haul of 13 points from a possible 15, and four clean sheets, lifted Sheffield United into the top two.
Blades boss Wilder said: “We had some really testing challenges so to come through this month, at the business end of the season, with the points and, most importantly, performances, we are delighted and I accept this award on behalf of the football club, players and staff.”
Birmingham hotshot Adams added to his growing reputation with six goals in five games, including a hat-trick against QPR.
The 22-year-old said: “It’s an honour to receive this award, I’m really grateful. I’ve felt good and confident in front of goal and I managed to be clinical during the month.
“But I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without the manager (Garry Monk), his staff and the rest of the players.
United
“We are a really united team at Birmingham, everyone does their bit.” In League Two, Bury’s Ryan Lowe bagged the manager prize and Lincoln’s Bruno Andrade collected the player honour. Bury took ten points from a possible 12 to continue their promotion assault.
Lowe said: “I’m over the moon to get a hat-trick of Manager of the Month awards for the season but, as I’ve said before, it’s not just me, it’s my staff, my players.
“It’s nice to have them accolades, it’s recognition we’re playing the right way, but, ultimately, it’s just another personal accolade, with the big picture at the end of the season. I’d happily trade them all in for where we want to get to.”
Imps winger Andrade notched six of his side’s seven goals in February to earn his reward.
“I had something similar at Boreham Wood when I scored five in five, but this one means a little more as it’s higher up and the stakes are higher as well,” said the 25-year-old. “It’s probably the best month I’ve ever had.
“On a personal level, I need to keep going. There’s no point having one good game and putting your feet up and thinking ‘I had a good game last week and I can relax now’ that’s not my mentality.”