Schumacher shortlisted once again for EFL award
Argyle manager listed for a third time as Cooper is nominated for the players’ award
PLYMOUTH Argyle could be set for an award double after manager Steven Schumacher was shortlisted for the Sky Bet manager of the month award for October and goalkeeper Michael Cooper was among the nominees for the players’ award.
It is the third time this season that Schumacher has been shortlisted for the award and recognition to Argyle’s superb start to the season, which sees them on top of the League One table and four point clear of secondplaced Ipswich Town.
The 38-year-old picked up the prize in September after leading the Pilgrims to the top of the table, having been shortlisted in August as well, when Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna was the winner.
Now Schumacher (pictured) is up for the October award, along with McKenna, Grant McCann of Peterborough United and Sheffield Wednesday’s Darren Moore.
The table-topping Pilgrims scored 18 goals during the month as they won six of their seven league games and drew the other one.
However, it is Cooper who has been shortlisted for the player-ofthe-month prize after making a series of important saves at crucial periods in matches.
He kept clean sheets in the 1-0 win away to Wycombe Wanderers and the 3-0 defeat of Accrington Stanley at Home Park.
Cooper has been shortlisted along with Burton Albion striker Victor Adeboyejo, Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan and Bristol Rovers forward Aaron Collins.
The latter scored one of his three goals during October as Rovers rallied from a 2-0 half-time deficit against Argyle at the Memorial Stadium to draw 2-2.
Morgan Whittaker, Argyle’s loan signing from Swansea City, won the Sky Bet League One player-of-themonth award for September and now Cooper has a chance to emulate that achievement. The judging panel, which comprises former Barnsley manager Danny Wilson, Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman, and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “While Plymouth scored 18 goals in the month, they relied on Cooper’s unflappability, bravery and shot stopping ability at the other end. Several brilliant saves underpinned Argyle’s wins over Wycombe and Sheffield Wednesday.
Schumacher was also named the Sky Bet League One manager-of-themonth in March so could be on course for a hat-trick of awards still less than a year after being appointed as the Pilgrims’ boss in December 2021.
Under Schumacher, Argyle have picked up a hugely impressive 85 points from 43 games, with a record of 26 wins, seven draws and 10 defeats.
On Schumacher, the judging panel said: “There is a symbiotic serenity about Schumacher’s fit with his Argyle side. He has a happy squad, players giving their all for each other and emerging with a result every time, as 19 points and 18 goals from seven unbeaten games prove.”
The winners for both awards – and for those in the Championship and League Two - will be announced on Friday.