BIG MICK’S PRIZE GUY AS CARDIFF HIT HEIGHTS
Verdict
MICK McCarthy has made an amazing impact at Cardiff City – and now it’s been rewarded with the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month award.
The former Republic of Ireland boss led the Bluebirds to 19 points from a possible 21 in February to put them in playoff contention.
The 62-year-old said: “It’s a lovely feeling to have won this on the back of the unbeaten run we had through the month. It’s a reflection on the players, TC (Terry Connor – assistant) and the staff we have at the club. You don’t win these awards without them.
“The players have done everything we’ve asked of them and have responded really well. It’s a nice feeling for everyone at the club as it means we’ve been doing alright, doesn’t it?”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “He changed to a back three at half-time v Barnsley in his first game in charge when they needed to chase a 2-0 deficit, drew 2-2 and they haven’t looked back since!
“The players say that it’s the simplicity of his message and the trust he’s instilled in them that has led to the turnaround.
“Whilst underplaying the possibility publicly, ‘Big
Mick’ will be gunning to make it a hat-trick of Championship promotions.”
In League One, Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson scooped the honours.
A perfect month of six wins saw Posh move to the top of League One.
Their 15-3 goal differential in February saw them notch 12 of those goals in the second half of games.
The 49-year-old said: “This award is for my staff and the players, they deserve it. It was a great month for us - to win all of the games that we had in the month, particularly this season with the amount of games, was excellent.
“It has put us in a decent position in the league and we just need to carry it on.”
Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt, below, bagged the League Two prize. The Trotters collected 16 points from six unbeaten games to become promotion contenders.
The 39-year-old former Barrow boss said: “It’s a reward for all of my staff for all the hard work we are putting in to prepare the players well and also it’s an acknowledgement for the players who are going out there and performing to the levels we expect.”
KYLE Vassell hopes to repay the faith shown in him by Fleetwood boss Simon Grayson.
The 28-year-old striker, who is on loan from Rotherham, has made an impressive start at the club.
Vassell said: “It’s so important (to have a manager that believes in you), especially for strikers.
“Don’t get me wrong, you have to do the other side of it. If I wasn’t working hard and doing what he wanted for the team or doing what I needed to do for the team, I wouldn’t be playing. I want to score to repay the manager’s trust.”
HULL fans will hope the secret somehow remains in the vault.
But Keane LewisPotter’s performance against Oxford tends to suggest that might quickly become a fanciful notion.
Hull-born Lewis-Potter was outstanding from kick-off in their win, with his two goals almost footnotes of an inspired display.
It was hard not to have sympathy for Oxford right-back Anthony Forde. His team were ultra game, and perhaps deserved to have scored following a furious start.
Yet Forde was left chasing footprints almost every time
Lewis-Potter gained possession. The second goal was helped in by a deflection, but Hull’s exciting young talent deserved that slice of luck.
Oxford can also expect far easier rides as they strive to reach the play-offs.