Sunderland AFC manager Phil Parkinson has been named as the Sky Bet League One manager of the month for January.
The Black Cats boss scooped the monthly prize after an unbeaten start to 2020, with a 4-0 rout of then leaders Wycombe Wanderers the standout performance as Parkinson guided the Lads to 14 points from a possible 18.
Lincoln City, MK Dons and Tranmere Rovers were also defeated, with SAFC’s backline conceding just two goals in January to ensure they currently boast the best defence in League One.
After receiving the award, Parkinson said: “We’ve had a good run of results and the performance level has been excellent. We’ve got ourselves in the mix and that was the intention, but now the hard work really does start.
“The things that have really helped us are the work ethic on the training pitch, getting a real pattern of play to our game and consistent team selection. It was a bit frustrating for the lads that haven’t been in the team, but they’ve been fantastic and I do think that’s been a key factor.
“When you go with the same team for quite a while, the others who are out of the team are so important and they’ve driven the standards on in training.”
The chair of Sky Bet’s MOTM judging panel, Danny Wilson, added: “It was a great January for Phil and his team, who never panicked in their approach to games and it really paid off.”
