Barnsley striker Sam Winnall has been named the Sky Bet League 1 Player of the Month for January.
Form streaks don’t come much better than this. Seven goals and two assists were rewards for his direct running and bravery in the box.
His goal tally included a perfect right foot, left foot, header hat-trick in the 6-1 win over Rochdale.
Barnsley Head Coach Lee Johnson said: “Sam has spearheaded us during our great run throughout January and scored lots of important goals.
“His hard work has really paid off and he’s scored some fantastic goals for us. He can score different types of goals and the fans really do love him here. Long may it continue.”
Winnall said: “I’m over the moon to win this award. I was nominated a couple of times at my old club but this is the first time I’ve won it and it’s such a great feeling.
“The lads have all been great and we’ve been on an amazing run which will hopefully continue towards the end of the season and beyond.
“To have scored a perfect hat-trick along the way is a dream come true but, more importantly, we have been winning and performing well as a team.”
Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “The clear winner of this award in Sky Bet League 1, as Winnall scored seven and created two more in an outstanding January.
“As a striker, I know that when you’re in this sort of form, you just want to be out on the pitch as much as possible making the most of the hot streak you’re in, truly believing that every chance that comes your way will hit the back of the net.”
Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “Sam Winnall was the main reason for Barnsley’s turn around in form, scoring seven goals in five games including a hat-trick against Rochdale.
“The former Wolves man now has 15 goals for the season (two behind Adam Armstrong of Coventry) and is the 5/1 second favourite to win the golden boot, having been as big as 66/1 at the start of the month.”
The judging panel for the Sky Bet Player of the Month comprises Sky Sports Football League expert Don Goodman; Football League Head of Communications John Nagle; League Managers Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery.
