Adkins led United to four wins from four in December – winning nine points from three league games, and beating Oldham in the FA Cup second round.
The winner is announced on Friday – one day before United travel to Old Trafford to face the 11-time winners.
“Consistency has been a problem for United this season, something he managed to rectify in December,” Adkins’ award citation read.
“United gained nine points from nine and only conceded one goal as they moved back into the promotion picture.”
Adkins is up against Justin Edinburgh of Gillingham, Barnsley’s Lee Johnson and Walsall boss Sean O’Driscoll. The Blades boss has won the League One award twice before, once at Scunthorpe United and once at Southampton.
The judging panel includes former Ipswich Town manager George Burley, and Sky Sports’ Football League expert Don Goodman.
Adkins, meanwhile, insists he will let his head rule his heart when it comes to making a decision on Matt Done’s fitness for Saturday’s trip across the Pennines.
Adkins told yesterday’s Star that Done, who has a hamstring injury, could recover in time to face Louis van Gaal’s side.
But with United facing seven games in a packed January, Adkins is loathe to risk the striker and lose him for longer.
“We’ll see if he’s around for Old Trafford,” Adkins said.
“We have a lot of games coming up, so I’ve got to take the emotion out of the decision – even though it is Manchester United in the FA Cup. We’ve then got Wigan on the Tuesday before going to Colchester so I’ll keep that in mind.”(The Star)
Link: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/blades-boss-adkins-up-for-manager-of-month-award-1-7657483
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