Image:Adkiins: Guided Southampton to seven wins in eight games during April
Nigel Adkins has won the Manager of the Month prize for April, while Neil Mellor claimed the player award.
Saints boss and Owls striker rewarded for April efforts
Southampton boss Nigel Adkins has won the League One Manager of the Month prize for April, while Neil Mellor claimed the player award.
Adkins has performed an excellent job since taking charge at St Mary's in the early weeks of the season and led Saints to seven wins from eight games in April.
The month started with successive victories over MK Dons, Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient before the only blip arrived courtesy of a 2-0 defeat at Rochdale.
However, Saints regrouped to beat Bristol Rovers before winning away at League One champions Brighton and then seeing off Hartlepool and Brentford.
Promotion back to the Championship was all-but secured on Monday when a 3-1 success at Plymouth ensured only a miraculous final day swing in goal difference can deny Saints a return to the second tier.
The player award went to Sheffield Wednesday's on-loan striker Mellor after he scored six goals in seven appearances.
Mellor notched decisive braces in the wins over Colchester United and Swindon Town, and was also on target against Tranmere and Walsall.
The former Liverpool youngster has stated he is keen to stay at Hillsborough, but he could have a future back at Preston North End following his parent club's relegation to League One.
