After four wins during April, Barry-Murphy and Jim McNulty were nominated for Sky Bet League One’s Manager and Player of the Month awards, respectively, for April, something the Dale boss says is recognition for the team’s performances in that month.
“Jim has been amazing. He has been an outstanding leader within the group and the players look up to him,” said BBM.
“Sometimes it’s easy to not judge the performance on its merit with such an established figure in the dressing room, but he’s led by example on the pitch, more than anything else, and his performance levels has been incredible. It’s a reward individually for what has been a great collective performance as well.
“The players have put in such an amazing effort in such a short period of time. It was hugely exacting, and to see some sort of recognition for us as a Club is a reward for the players and staff.
“The support staff have been incredible, they’ve done loads of the work that I get the credit for, so it’s recognition for them.
“Whenever I read about it and managers used to say it’s a team effort, I used to think it’s right to say that.
“Firstly, the staff supporting me put a lot of effort in to preparing the players properly, but then it’s the players who are the most important because they’ve put their heart and soul in to the last spell of the season which has been extremely high pressured for them.”
Charlton Athletic Manager Lee Bowyer and Joe Pigott from AFC Wimbledon were named as winners of the awards. Congratulations to them both.