Bristol City’s Alex Scott has been named the EFL’s Young Player of the Month for February.
The midfielder, who played a starring role last month as the Robins recorded three wins in five league outings as part of a nine-game unbeaten run which came to an end at the beginning of March, expressed his delight at picking up the accolade.
He follows in the footsteps of teammate Tommy Conway, who claimed the accolade in August at the beginning of the campaign.
“Obviously, seeing my teammate Tommy get it earlier on in the season as well, I knew how much it meant to him,” he explained. “He was saying, ‘you’re copying everything I’m doing,’ because I got Man of the Match as well the other day at the game. That’s how it happened for him in August as well.
“We spoke about it and when he got his award, I was buzzing for him. It is a special feeling. There are so many young players doing so well in the EFL.
“I’m proud to see that my performances over the month have got that recognition. I think it was a good month for me. Hopefully, we’ve got March and April then the season is done, so it would be nice to pick up another one in the next few months.”
The Robins registered wins against Preston North End, Norwich City and Hull City in February as they hoisted themselves up the table.
“We’ve had ups and downs as there always is in a season. I’ve started to find a bit of form especially in February – in January I struggled a bit – and then I kicked on,” he noted. “I was playing my best football that month and I’m still playing my best football this season now.
“The unbeaten run was really good for us. It came at a good time for us at the end of December when we were struggling a little bit. As January came and the New Year, we picked up a bit of form.”
The 19-year-old has moved into central midfield this campaign, showcasing his ability to dictate City’s attacking play.
He has also benefitted from boss Nigel Pearson’s decision to turn a midfield pair into a trio by bringing in Joe Williams to support Scott and Matty James.
“Where I’ve been playing a lot of this season and especially since the new year, the number 10 role has given me a lot of freedom to go out and enjoy my football and that’s shown in performances on the pitch,” he continued.
“With Joe Williams getting injured recently, I’ve had to drop back a bit deeper than my natural position. I’ve hit form at a good time really. I’m confident and the team are confident as well.”
And Pearson, who handed Scott his first chance after coming through the Robins’ youth ranks, has played a significant part in shaping City’s number seven into the player that he is today.
“He’s been huge for my progression ever since I came up to the first-team,” Scott added. “He’s had a big impact but all the coaches and all the staff and more senior players who helped me get through tough times last season when I was in and out of the squad.
“Of course, I’m a young player so it’s good of them to integrate me into the squad when I was first coming up as a 17-year-old.
“I can’t say enough good words about the manager for giving me my first-ever chance; I’ll be forever grateful for that. I’ve maybe played 75 to 80 games now, and that, at 19-years-old, is an achievement in itself.”
The Robins sit 13th in the Sky Bet Championship standings, but Scott and Bristol City still have one eye on a top-six finish.
“As a team, we want to be up there fighting for the Play-Offs – that’s the ideal situation for us,” he said. “We know it’s going to be tough in the position we are the minute but this is the Championship and we know anything can happen. We’ve just got to keep fighting until the end.”
Cover image: Fever Pitch