February 2 2004

Iain Dowie

IAIN DOWIE has won January's First Division manager of the month award.

Palace have won 10 points out of a possible 12 and are just six points away from a play-off place.

DOWIE said: "It's very, very pleasing but this isn't an award just for me. First and foremost, it's an award for my staff - John Harbin, Jon Goodman, Steve Allen, Paul Hunter, Alex Manos and Terry Bullivant, not to mention of course the lads who work with the academy.

"Most if all, though, this award is for the players. They're the ones who went to places like Watford and Ipswich and got good results.

"The lads have bought into what I have hopefully brought to the party and this award reflects on the players, not me.

"Managers only get the Manager of the Month award when their players have done well, and my players have done brilliant for me this month. Long may that continue."