MIDDLESBROUGH duo Michael Carrick and Chuba Akpom have missed out on the February Manager and Player of the Month awards, with Vincent Kompany and Millwall striker Tom Bradshaw scooping the prizes.
Carrick led Boro to four wins from five last month, including the success at Sheffield United, while the Championship's top scorer Akpom hit five goals in as many games to extend his lead at the top of the division's goal charts.
But the judging panel have snubbed the Boro pair.
Kompany has won the manager award for the third successive month and the fourth time this season after his Burnley side continued their charge to promotion. The Clarets picked up 14 points from a possible 18 in February.
Millwall striker Bradshaw won the player award after impressing the judges with his five-goal haul last month, which included a hat-trick over Sheffield United.
The award snub is unlikely to concern Carrick who, while appreciative of the nomination and the recognition for his players, says his only focus is on the league table and Boro maintaining their fine Championship form.
“It’s not something that I go out craving to achieve, if I’m honest," said the head coach yesterday when quizzed on the Manager of the Month nomination.
"But it’s good because I guess it comes off the back of good performances and results, and the hard work of the players over the course of a month.
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"Ultimately though, you’re judged on where you end up at the end of the season and that is what we’re thinking about really. We take it game by game.
"What’s already happened has gone now and it’s already in the past. We look forward. It is what it is, it’s not something I’m craving to win personally. My focus is just on improving the squad and the players and whatever comes from that will come from it."
Boro are looking to put more pressure on second placed Sheffield United when they travel to Swansea City this weekend. The Blades face promotion rivals Luton at Bramall Lane.
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