Wimbledon manager scoops award for April
Neal Ardley has been named the Sky Bet League 2 Manager of the Month for April after leading Wimbledon into the play-offs.
Neal steered his side to a run of five successive victories and a 16-point haul from seven games.
The Wimbledon manager proved that his previously free-scoring side can keep it tight at the back if necessary by conceding just three goals.
George Burley chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “Neal’s Wimbledon side have booked their place in the Play-Offs after a very busy but successful month. “A total of 16 points in seven games, including five consecutive wins shows just how well he’s done.”
Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “Neal’s Wimbledon side hit form at exactly the right time of the season and confirmed their play-off place last weekend with a 0-0 draw against Stevenage.
“It guarantees Wimbledon their highest finishing League position since their formation in 2002 - a great achievement for Ardley and for the club.”
Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “Up until the very late in the season the final Play-off spot in League 2 looked to be a fight between almost half the teams in the division.
“However Wimbledon clicked into another gear in April, beating five opponents in a row, including play-off chasing rivals Wycombe and Leyton Orient.
“They did such a good job that they can enjoy the last week of the regular season safe in the knowledge that the play-offs are already in the bag.
“We make them a 10/3 chance to be promoted, those odds have tumbled from 12/1 at the start of the month.
“Ardley has added the goals of Lyle Taylor to the power of Akinfenwa in the Wimbledon front line which gives them a real chance to achieve promotion in the most dramatic fashion at Wembley.”
The judging panel comprises former Ipswich Town manager George Burley; Sky Sports’ Football League expert Don Goodman; Football League Chief Operating Officer Andy Williamson; League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery.
Tariqe Fosu-Henry from Accrington Stanley FC earned the Sky Bet Player of the Month.
Reaction from Neal Ardley will follow later on today.