Is this a joke? Darrell Clarke wins five games in April and still misses out on monthly award
In a frankly laughable decision, the Football League have somehow opted not to give Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke the League Two manager of the month award.
What do you think about the Football League decision? Share your thoughts and post a comment at the bottom of the article.
In a remarkable run of form, Clarke guided the Valiants to five wins and a draw during the month – a total of sixteen points from six games. However, Clarke lost out to (media darlings) Salford City despite manager Gary Bowyer only acquiring one more point and his side also recording five wins despite having played two more games than the Valiants.
However, it’s not just about pure statistics. Bowyer took over an expensively assembled and under-performing side and put them back on track. That’s commendable. However, Clarke’s job was arguably far harder. A side that had been battling relegation and had won just once in the last thirteen games was completely transformed into a winning machine with the defence conceding just once in the month of April.
In the Football League press release, judge Ivor Davies rubbed salt in Vale’s wounds by adding: “Gary Bowyer’s Salford side were the in-form team in League Two last month.” (OVF Editor – Really Ivor – by the end of April Port Vale were on a run of eight wins from nine games compared to Salford’s five wins in the same nine game period).
Port Vale’s April record
Played: Six
Won: Five
Drew: One
Lost: None
Goals conceded: One
Clean sheets: Five
Points per game: 2.67
Salford City’s April record
Played: Eight
Won: Five
Drew: Two
Lost: One
Goals conceded: Three
Clean sheets: Five
Points per game: 2.1
It’s not clear what value Davies (described as as “Sky Bet EFL trader” in the press release) adds to the panel of judges. At least the other members of the panel – former footballers Don Goodman and Danny Wilson – have experience of League Two football, but despite their presence on the panel the result remains a baffling decision.
It is what it is, isn’t it? I think we should have won it if I am honest…
Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke certainly seemed to think so. When asked about missing out on the award during a media press conference, he pulled no punches saying: “I am disappointed for the club. It is the manager of the month but for me it is the team of the month. Isn’t it? So, I am not going to sit here and lie that I am not disappointed.
“But it is what it is, isn’t it? I think we should have won it if I am honest.(It’s) not to be. Hopefully we have a successful season and there are a few more nominations for the club next season.”
What do you think about the Football League decision? Share your thoughts and post a comment at the bottom of the article.
Derek Moreton
7th May 2021 @ 10:23 pm
Diabolical decision. How the hell did he not deserve it.
Maybe we should club together to get him a true supporters manager of the month award?
phil goodwin
7th May 2021 @ 11:28 pm
It just makes a mockery of the manager of the month award doesn,t it.But we should not be suprised should we,it is the salford city manager who has been given it.(can,t say won it ) wonder what Gary Neville thinks about this INJUSTICE ?.(not alot i suppose) Just goes to show what most of us think of the EFL. A BUNCH OF CLOWNS. WE ALL KNOW DARRELL CLARKE IS THE REAL WINNER.
Ian Clarke
8th May 2021 @ 6:32 pm
Im expecting Salford to be included in the play offs.
Mick Haire
12th May 2021 @ 10:56 am
Typical, just when you think it cannot be anyone but Daryl Clarke for manager of the month for league two, the judges select someone else. The statistics state everything the judges needed to know. However, they chose to ignore them and select their own preferred manager which was Gary Bowyer (Salford City). Fair play to Gary Bowyer and his players for great results during April, but when you evaluate both teams statistics, the outcome does not add up?