Nottingham Forest's Djed Spence and Cardiff's Steve Morison win in Championship; Sheffield Wednesday's Barry Bannan and Steven Schumacher win in League One; Leyton Orient's Ruel Sotiriou and Bristol Rovers' Joey Barton win in League Two
Friday 8 April 2022 10:43, UK
Djed Spence has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for March.
A dynamic force down the Forest right all season, Spence is always looking for an end product. His run and trickery earned a penalty at Sheffield United, he had two assists against Reading and drove home a 30-yard screamer against QPR.
Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper said: "The award is good recognition for an impressive month of March for Djed, but we have really enjoyed working with him ever since he joined the club.
"He has been an important player for us this season and he has really committed to our way of playing.
"It is important that he keeps his focus, concentrates on continuing his development and strives for more achievements in the future."
Spence said: "I'm really happy to receive this award. It's good for me personally but I wouldn't have been able to win this award without the help and support of my team-mates.
"I'm really enjoying my football at Forest this season. I've benefited from playing regularly which is what I set out to do at the start of the season.
"We are doing well as a team at the moment but there is a long way to go so we need to kick on and see what we can achieve."
Sky Sports' EFL pundit Don Goodman said: "Epitomising the fantastic form of his Forest side, Djed Spence is a worthy winner of March's award after a brilliant month that seemed to have it all.
"The link-up between him and Brennan Johnson down that right-hand side has been electric and Spence proved a constant threat for Steve Cooper's team last month, highlighted by his sumptuous strike from range against QPR."
Cardiff City manager Steve Morison has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for March.
So impressive has been Morison's approach to both the playing style and giving youth its chance at Cardiff, it is easy to forget it is his first managerial post. Ten points from four unbeaten games continued the Bluebirds' resurgence.
Morison said: "It's a good achievement, we had a really good month, and it shows that all the hard work we've put in has been recognised.
"We've come a long way from when we first took over and this is a realisation of the good work that we've done as a group, and as a staff; the Swansea game was a big blow around the place, but this helps to pick us back up.
"Our key message is that we've come a long way as a group and need to keep that work going. We've got seven games between now and the end of the season and we want to do the best that we can to finish as positively as we can."
Goodman said: "It's been tough at times for the Bluebirds this season, but Steve Morison deserves immense credit for the way he's navigated his side to a stronger position.
"Points are at a premium at the best of times in the Sky Bet Championship, so picking up 10 during an unbeaten month deserves every plaudit."
Player: Barry Bannan, Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan has been named the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month for March.
Short on stature, long on talent and huge on influence, the 32-year-old simply mesmerises League One opponents. Involved in over half of Wednesday's 17 March goals, he scored three himself, all of them sumptuous long-range shots.
Wednesday manager Darren Moore said: "I'm really pleased for Baz, his family and all of us at Sheffield Wednesday. It goes to show the magnificent season he's having and the consistency he's shown.
"Nobody deserves it more than Baz, and long may it continue as we go into the final run-in. We're all delighted for him and it's fully deserved."
Bannan said: "It's a great achievement, but it could have been any one of my team-mates.
"I'm happy to be here on behalf of the team because any one of them could equally deserve it."
Goodman said: "The consummate professional who continues to wreak havoc in the third tier, Barry Bannan is no stranger to these kinds of accolades, and for good reason.
"The midfield maestro was everywhere for Sheffield Wednesday in March, having a hand in everything the Owls did well, including three goals of his own to add to his collection. His talent simply doesn't belong at this level."
Manager: Steven Schumacher, Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle manager Steven Schumacher has been named the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for March.
Any Argyle fans fearing the worst when Ryan Lowe departed in December have been swiftly comforted by Schumacher's calmness and tactical acumen. Six wins from seven games, conceding just one goal, lifted his side into fourth.
Schumacher said: "I am really proud to have been named manager of the month for Sky Bet League One.
"We have had a terrific month and put ourselves in a really good position for the rest of the season.
"The work from all of the staff, the players and everyone associated with the club has made an impact and has helped us perform the way we have been.
"I have the support of Keith Downing, Mark Hughes and Kevin Nancekivell as well as Darren Behcet with the coaching of the side.
"We all work extremely closely with the analysts, Jimmy Dickinson and Sam Morcom, who provide us with all the information we need to be able to put a game plan together for a matchday.
"It has been a real team effort, and everyone deserves to be recognised.
"We are in a good spot and are working hard to make sure we can continue this good form going forward into the final month of the season and try to achieve something special."
Goodman said: "It's not often a team can lose a manager and, within the same season, compete for promotion glory but that is the situation Plymouth find themselves in with just a few games to go.
"Ryan Lowe was heralded on the south coast, and for good reason, but if his successor can keep the positive momentum going, he could even surpass him! Six wins from seven in March was nothing short of fantastic."
Player: Ruel Sotiriou, Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient striker Ruel Sotiriou has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for March.
The 21-year-old's Orient career has taken off since the arrival of Richie Wellens. Playing from the start and in a central role, his dynamic energy, hunger to shoot and crisp ball-striking contributed to six goals and an assist in eight games.
Leyton Orient manager Wellens said: "Since coming back into the side Ruel has been in fantastic form, and his goal tally speaks for itself.
"He's been effective, his confidence is high, and I think he's taken well to what we're trying to do - and vice versa, I've been really happy with his output."
Sotiriou said: "With the new head coach coming in there's been a real buzz about the place, and everyone has bought into what we're trying to do.
"I've really wanted a run of games, and getting it, I feel I've been able to show what it is I pride myself on, which is scoring goals.
"I'm feeling good, I'm sharp and feeling strong, and with the results we've had recently and way we've been playing, the confidence around the team keeps growing."
Goodman said: "Goals are never more vital than at the business end of the season, and Ruel Sotiriou delivered the goods!
"The Orient youngster bagged goals in six of his team's eight games during the month of March, literally firing a team in a relegation battle to almost certain safety."
Manager: Joey Barton, Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for March.
Lost amid his side's relentless drive into the play-off positions with another five wins from seven games has been the solid foundation on which he has built Rovers' momentum. They kept four clean sheets and conceded just three goals.
Barton said: "I'm delighted to win manager of the month. It's a collective win for our group and testament to the hard work put in by staff and players.
"The players, in particular, have continued to improve and as we enter the championship rounds, we must capitalise on our momentum and continue to turn up and pay our dues everyday if we are to get what we want from this season."
Goodman said: "They may be one of many sides embroiled in the hectic promotion battle in League Two, but few are entering the business end of the campaign with a better platform for success.
"Barton has his Rovers side well-drilled at present and thanks to their sturdy defence, they've become very hard to beat, at just the right time."
