The March nominations for the Sky Bet League 1 Player of the Month Award are:
Alex Cairns (Fleetwood Town) – goalkeeper
If Fleetwood`s promotion charge was based on timely goals in February, it was reliant on the saves of Cairns in March. Four clean sheets in five games featured his brilliant shot-stopping against Scunthorpe, Bury and Wimbledon.
Kieron Freeman (Sheffield United) – full-back
Given licence to go forward from his right wing-back position by manager Chris Wilder, the 25-year-old Freeman has taken full advantage, joining in every attack. His three goals in March even included one from open play inside the six-yard box.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (Rochdale) – midfielder
Rochdale`s goal rush owed much to the pace and trickery of Mendez-Laing whose willingness to take on defenders provokes panic and opens up space for others in equal measure. He also chipped in with four goals himself.
Filipe Morais (Bolton Wanderers) – winger
His impact as a catalyst at Bolton has been stunning. Directly involved in 12 of Bolton`s 17 goals in March, he scored two and had an incredible 10 assists, the product of an innate sense of how best to deliver the ball into the box.
Winners will be announced on Friday 7th April 2017.
