Dougie Freedman wins Manager of the Month award, beats out Charlton's Powell and Brighton's Poyet

April was a very busy month for Bolton Wanderers and Dougie Freedman. The Trotters played six matches in the space of 25 days, winning four, drawing one, and losing one as they pushed for a play-off spot in a battle that went to the final day of the season. Due to those results, Dougie Freedman beat out Charlton manager Chris Powell and Brighton & Hove Albion manager Gus Poyet for the npower Championship Manager of the Month Award.

The award is decided by a small committee comprised of Alan Curbishley, Andy Williamson (Football League COO), Olaf Dixon (League Managers Association deputy CEO), and Katy Thomas (npower Partnership and Sponsorship manager).

In the Football League's statement, Curbishley commented on the decision:

"It was a great month for Dougie Freedman which resulted in an end-of-season surge for his side, who only just missed out on a Play-Off place.

"I am sure Bolton will be in contention again next season in what will be his first full season in charge."

Katy Thomas also weighed in:

"While they will have been disappointed to have missed out on promotion this season, I'm sure Bolton Wanderers fans will now be looking forward to next season with a great deal of enthusiasm."

Over the course of April, Dougie Freedman's Bolton Wanderers beat out Huddersfield Town (1-0), Wolverhampton Wanderers (2-0), Bristol City (1-2), and Middlesbrough (2-1). They drew 1-1 away to champions Cardiff City and lost away to Leicester City.

In the same time frame, Brighton & Hove Albion, led by Gus Poyet, went undefeated, winning three and drawing three matches. Charlton, managed by Chris Powell, also went undefeated and also won three and drew three, including a 6-0 romp away at Barnsley.

Freedman had been nominated for the same award for February but narrowly missed out.