The Sky Bet Player of the Month winners for February 2018 are in. This has seen on-loan Newcastle forward Adam Armstrong claim the League 1 award.
Sky Bet Championship – Oli McBurnie (Barnsley)
Sky Bet League One – Adam Armstrong (Blackburn)
Blackburn Rovers striker Adam Armstrong has been named the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month for February.
Brought pace and directness to the Rovers attack with four goals and an assist – all in the month in which he turned 21. A perfect foil for Danny Graham, he demonstrated the confidence of youth with two cool finishes at Portsmouth.
Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray said: “It’s been no surprise to me to be fair. I’ve worked with Adam at this level before. He has qualities and attributes that I utilise.
“He’s a fantastic lad and a great personality. He fits in great with the dressing room. He just has the right qualities that this team needs. If you’ve got a Jack Payne or a Bradley Dack, who can manipulate the ball and slide passes in behind teams, you need speed and Adam brings fantastic speed and directness, so I think the combination works well.
“I’m delighted that he’s won an award. He’s probably won one or two in the past, but I’m pleased for him because it shows that he’s doing well and scoring goals.”
Armstrong said: “I think we’ve got a great togetherness. It’s been unbelievable since I’ve come here. Everyone makes you feel welcome and it’s amazing to be around that sort of atmosphere. It’s pushing us on in the games and in training every week. We’re getting the three points, which is the main thing, and we’ve just got to keep going now.
“I’m a pretty level-headed guy, so I’m just getting on with the job that I’ve got in front of me and that’s giving my all for Blackburn Rovers and I think I’m doing that at the minute and it’s helping the team.”
Sky Sports` EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “To come in on loan to one of the division`s strongest teams and slot in seamlessly is a really impressive feat.
“Armstrong is proving he can score goals wherever he plays and for Tony Mowbray to put him straight into his team shows the high regard in which he is held.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Mikey Mumford said: “After fruitful loan spells at Coventry and Barnsley, Armstrong has found another temporary home at Ewood Park and he`s certainly settled well in Lancashire.
“Adam`s four goals in February helped Blackburn to 13 points in February with his late winner at Portsmouth particularly memorable and the young Newcastle forward has developed a great understanding with fellow forwards Dack and Graham.
“Blackburn now rate the main danger to Wigan in the race for the title at 2/1 and Armstrong`s contribution will be key as we enter the business end of the campaign.”
Sky Bet League Two – Richards (Swindon)
The judging panel for the Sky Bet Player of the Month comprises Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Communications Director Mark Rowan, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Mikey Mumford.
