Hatters boss Nathan Jones has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for April – making it a treble for the 2017-18 season after also picking up the award in October and November during a memorable campaign for the Town.
The 44-year-old reaped his reward for continuing to encourage his attacking side to express themselves as they collected 13 points from five unbeaten games and sealed the automatic promotion place they have occupied since the autumn.
The Town beat Mansfield, Yeovil, Crewe and Forest Green, with the 1-1 draw at Carlisle that ultimately sealed promotion sandwiched between the latter two, during a wonderful month for the Welshman and his team.
Jones said: “To win three awards in a season makes me very pleased, as it means in three months we’ve been the highest points scorers which culminated in us getting promoted.
“This month is probably the most special because it means you’re finishing strong and we needed that to get over the line.
“I’m immensely proud of leading Luton Town back to League One, but I’m also proud of the work we do. It’s a cliché, but it’s a massive collective effort from day one when I came into the club, from the players who’ve been here, to the staff that were here and we’ve brought in.
“We have a philosophy and a way of playing and what we’ve had to do is recruit for that philosophy. We’ve not gone out and bought in every position, we’ve seen who we can bring forward and develop and it’s taken three transfer windows to get ‘our squad’.
“I don’t think scoring so many goals is a coincidence, obviously the amount we’ve scored has been wonderful, especially in individual games, but we work religiously on our attacking play and we’re a positive side.”
George Burley chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “Luton were the only unbeaten team in League Two in April. Nathan continued his attacking style of play and they collected 13 points from five games.
“This sealed an automatic promotion place which they have occupied since the autumn.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “April was the month where the character in Nathan Jones’ Luton side was clear for everyone to see.
“Two wins and a draw from losing positions came as a result of their ability to score goals whoever they’re playing against, and secured the passage to Sky Bet League One with minimal fuss.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Mikey Mumford said: “Nathan Jones has made no secret of his long-term plan at Luton and securing promotion to League One was first on his list.
“The Hatters’ 1-1 draw at Carlisle cemented their place in the third tier next season and while there may be a tinge of disappointment in missing out on the title, Jones’ men certainly entertained with the most goals and fewest defeats in the division.”
Congratulations Nathan on a Hatters hat-trick to be proud of!