DES Buckingham applauded Mark Harris for not losing hope and persevering when the goals were scarce earlier in the season.
Harris has had a hit-and-miss season in front of goal, but his performance in April earned him the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month title.
Last month, the Welshman scored six goals in six games, contributing significantly to Oxford United’s victorious play-off campaign. He scored braces in 4-0 victories against Fleetwood Town and Burton Albion.
The 25-year-old also scored from the penalty spot in United’s 5-0 thrashing of Peterborough United, as well as the first goal in the critical 2-1 victory over Exeter City on the final day of the regular season.
Buckingham, the U’s head coach, said: “Mark has worked exceptionally hard. When I arrived, he had only scored a few goals and was always moving outside the box.
“We spent some time with him and discussed the regions where we want him to operate. He reaps the rewards of that.
“He’s surrounded by good players who provide opportunity for him to score more goals.
“He is closing up on his personal goal tally, and he has two more games to approach and surpass it.
“The majority of that has come down to how he’s applied himself over the last six, seven, eight months.”
He was also mostly an impact player, making 49 of his 87 league games for Cardiff from the bench.
Buckingham stated, “It’s his first season as an outright number nine. He established a goal for himself at the beginning of the year, and I believe he, like us, would consider it a genuine accomplishment to be within reach with only a handful of games remaining.
“It’s time to step up to a greater stage. He’s demonstrated he’s more than capable, and I can’t wait to see him back on the pitch.”
Harris defeated Blackpool goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw, Reading midfielder Lewis Wing, and Bolton Wanderers attacker Aaron Collins to win April’s League One Player of the Month award.
Buckingham was shortlisted for the manager of the month award, but was pipped to the accolade by Wycombe Wanderers boss Matt Bloomfield, who ensured the Chairboys were unbeaten in seven games.
included five on the road.
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