Eddie Howe – AFC Bournemouth
One of the brightest young managers in English football is thriving in his second spell at newly-promoted Bournemouth, as Eddie Howe’s Cherries proudly sit in the top half of the second tier, and top of The 72’s Championship form guide.
Any slight relegation fears that the South Coast club may have held prior to last month have been significantly eradicated, and instead Bournemouth are looking to sneak a play-off place, as only five points now separate themselves and sixth placed Reading. 
Last season two divisions separated the two clubs, and this really highlights the fantastic progress that Bournemouth are making under Howe. The Amersham born boss moved back to Dean Court in October 2012, leaving Burnley for family reasons, and he turned a relegation threatened League One team into a Championship club within six months of taking over from Paul Groves, who suffered a disastrous start to the 2012-13 season.
A magnificent March where the Cherries won six out of eight Championship encounters has seen them rise to tenth in the league. The month started incredibly well, when Bournemouth hammered Doncaster 5-0 at Dean Court. That preceded narrow wins against Blackpool and Blackburn as their away form continued to improve. Two winless games followed, but Howe’s men saw off Barnsley in dramatic circumstances, before scoring four goals in two consecutive victories against Leeds and Birmingham.
Eddie Howe has done a terrific job at Dean Court, regardless of whether the play-off dream becomes a reality or not. The final few games will really test Howe’s credentials, as the run-in involves playing QPR, Reading, Ipswich and Forest. Upper mid-table will be a great achievement for a so-called ‘smaller club’, and Howe looks like a good bet to win the manager of the month accolade.
