Connor Wickham and Tony Pulis win Barclays player and manager awards for the month of April

Conner Wickham – Barclays Player of the Month – April

Sunderland striker Connor Wickham has won the Barclays Player of the Month award for April. His recent goal scoring form has rescued Sunderland from the brink of relegation. Wickham, who was called back from his loan at Leeds United, has managed to score vital goals away at Chelsea and Manchester City, making him the only player to do so this season.

The striker told Sunderland Echo “I always felt confident that I could do it if I was given a chance, if I was given a run in the side, the great thing is that I’ve been given an opportunity and I’ve taken it – it has come good.

“I don’t want to say I’m there yet, because I’ve only just started, but I feel as I can keep on proving myself at this level now. The main thing at the moment is that we keep our good form going. The last few weeks have been great, but we need to finish it off now and make sure Sunderland are playing in the Premier League again next season.”

Tony Pulis – Barclays Manager of the Month – April

Crytal Palace manager, Tony Pulis, won the Manger of the Month award after leading his side to four wins in five games and out of the relegation zone and into 11th place.

It is his first Premier League award and many are calling for him to win Manager of the Season, although it is unlikely to happen. Crystal Palace have notched victories against Everton, Cardiff, Aston Villa and West Ham. They lost to Manchester City, who are favourites to win the league, last week but still remain within a point away from the top 10.

Congratulations to @SAFCofficial’s @ConnorWickham10, winner of the #BPL Player of the Month Award #YouAreFootball pic.twitter.com/nxJr9KaGR4

— Barclays Football (@BarclaysFooty) May 2, 2014

Congratulations to @Official_CPFC’s Tony Pulis, winner of the #BPL Manager of the Month Award #YouAreFootball pic.twitter.com/5P3T11Zs1H

— Barclays Football (@BarclaysFooty) May 2, 2014