Liam Manning has been nominated for January’s Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month award while Dean Lewington is one of four shortlisted for the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month honour.
Manning, a winner of the award in September and now a third-time nominee, led MK Dons to 14 points in January, as h side climbed from seventh up to fourth in the Sky Bet League One table.
Their 14 points came courtesy of four wins and two draws and amongst those victories were impressive away triumphs at promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth as well as a home success against rivals AFC Wimbledon.
A factor behind MK Dons’ good form was their excellent defensive record, with Player of the Month nominee Dean Lewington having a starring role in that performance.
The 37-year-old played every minute of the team’s seven January fixtures, including a short stint as one of two central defenders in a back four. Lewington was key as the Dons kept four clean sheets and limited opponents to only three goals.
Manning is nominated alongside Michael Appleton (Lincoln City), Mark Bonner (Cambridge United) and Leam Richardson (Wigan Athletic) while Lewington is up against
Paddy Lane (Fleetwood Town), Michael Smith (Rotherham United) and Cole Stockton (Morecambe).
The winners will be announced at 6am on Friday.
The Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel comprises former MK Dons manager Danny Wilson, Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Communications Director Mark Rowan, and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.
The judging panel for the Sky Bet Player of the Month comprises Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Communications Director Mark Rowan and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.
