Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for January.

There were four games, four victories and 11 goals in January, including a thrilling 3-2 win at leaders Luton, as Wycombe rose to second in the table.

The Blues also defeated Colchester United at home 3-1, Forest Green away 2-1 and Crewe on their travels 3-2 in another exciting finish.
Ainsworth had to dabble in the loan market to combat a lengthy injury list among his squad.

Ainsworth said: “This award is for the boys really. The manager picks the team and they go out there, but once they cross that white line; they do the job, so I’m really proud of the boys, we’re on a good run at the moment and I couldn’t do it without them.

“I think being the player that I was, a forward player, an attacking winger, I try to manage as I played, no holds barred attacking formations, getting at teams.

“We sacrifice the odd goal at the back for that, but scoring goals is what people want to see, it’s the way to win games and we addressed that a couple of years ago and I’m glad to say it’s been paying off in droves for the last two seasons.

“Everyone deserves a piece of this award. It is for the fans and the club. I go on about being together and we need everyone.

“When we win things it is for everyone. My name is at the head of it but my name is at the head of things when things don’t go so well.

“We can all celebrate this together. Let’s kick on and use this as a platform to finishing the season well.

“We have a good squad. We are in a great place at the moment and the club is as healthy as it has ever been so I am really looking forward to seeing these next 15 weeks out and hopefully we can achieve this season as we are working hard to do that.”

George Burley chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.

He said: “The League Two battle for promotion is really hotting-up and Wycombe’s win at leaders Luton was a fabulous result.

“They won all four games in January which has taken them to second in the league. Gareth has had to work hard to strengthen his squad with loan players as they have had numerous injuries.”

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Gareth is an incredibly talented manager and a great character to have in the EFL. I love the way he’s got Wycombe playing, throwing caution to the wind and scrapping for every point. This style makes for an all-action spectacle.

“The wins against Crewe and Luton would’ve sent the fans crazy, such was the back and forth nature of the games. Those wins proved his team are never beaten and they carried this over to the first game of February, scoring two injury time goals to extend their winning run.”

Sky Bet EFL trader Mikey Mumford said: “Gareth Ainsworth’s January was one to savour as Wycombe manager. 

“His side’s four victories, all of which came by a single goal margin, included a thrilling 3-2 victory away at league leaders Luton which means automatic promotion is now beginning to look like a real possibility.

“Ainsworth’s tenure at Adams Park began in 2012 but this may well be his biggest opportunity yet to lead Wycombe into League One and Sky Bet are now odds on at 4/6 he does just that.

“There is a real sense of belief among the manager and the players this term and Ainsworth may well look back on this excellent January if his side are smiling in May.”