It’s been an exciting Sky Bet Championship 2018/19 campaign up to press, one of the closest top three battles to have been seen for a while.
As it stands, all 24 Championship sides have just seven games left to play before the season is out, and the all-important promotion and relegation positions are finalised.
With the 2018/19 Sky Bet Championship campaign about to enter April, and the final run in towards its May conclusion, here’s The72’s Sky Bet Championship Team of the Season.
Manager
Daniel Farke: any of the top three’s managers could have taken this accolade, but we’ve plumped or German boss Farke.
Goalkeeper
- Sam Johnstone – West Bromwich Albion: Former Manchester United stopper Johnstone has performed admirably between the sticks for the Baggies this season. He’s featured 39 times for West Brom during this campaign. He’s kept 8 clean sheets whilst conceding 50 goals.
Defence
- (Left-back) Enda Stevens – Sheffield United: Consistency has been the key for Stevens at Sheffield United. He’s featured in 38 of the Blades 39 games so far this season and contributed with 7 assists.
- (Centre-back) Pontus Jansson – Leeds United: This has been Jansson’s most consistent season at Elland Road in Marcelo Bielsa’s play-it-from-the-back style of football. He’s been that rock in defence that has helped the Whites keep a tight ship, and has also been a threat at set pieces. He’s played 32 games and contributed 3 goals and 1 assist.
- (Centre-back) Jack O’Connell – Sheffield United: O’Connell has proven himself to be solid at the heart of the Sheffield United defence as they’ve gone from strength to strength in keeping a string of clean sheets. He’s also chipped in at the other end of the pitch, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists in his 36 games.
- (Right-back) Reece James- Wigan: Chelsea U-23 loanee James really has impressed whilst on loan at the Latics. Up to press, the Blues midfielder-turned-defender has featured in 39 games, scoring 1 goal and providing 3 assists. It’s not the output that is what makes James’ game, rather it is the consistency of his performances.
Midfield
- (Left midfield) Pablo Hernandez – Leeds United: Oldest player in this selection at 33, but age has proven no barrier for Leeds United’s Spanish wizard. Despite an injury setback, Pablo has featured in 32 games for the Whites, and has rewarded fans with glimpses of real class. To press he has scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists in Marcelo Bielsa’s attacking Leeds side.
- (Central midfield) John McGinn – Aston Villa: 24-year-old Scot McGinn signed for Villa from Hibernian and has more than impressed in the middle of the park with some excellent performances, and memorable goals. He’s turned out in 34 games for Villa this campaign, scoring 5 goals and providing 9 assists.
- (Central Midfield) Emiliano Buendia – Norwich City: Argentinian-Spaniard Buendia is another of Norwich’s ‘off the radar’ surprises this season. The 22-year-old was signed from La Liga side Getafe and has gone on to appear in 34 of Norwich’s games so far. He’s rewarded the Canaries faith with 7 goals and 9 assists in his first season in English football.
- (Right midfield) Jarrod Bowen – Hull City: The Tigers have shown their form in flashes this season, but Bowen’s form has been a bright light in often gathering gloom. He’s featured in 39 games for the East Yorkshire outfit, scoring an astonishing 21 goals from the centre of the park and adding 4 assists.
Forwards
- (Striker) Teemu Pukki – Norwich City: Finnish forward Pukki arrived at Carrow Road over the summer on a free transfer from Danish side Brondby. What a bargain! He’s featured in 36 games for the Canaries, scoring 24 goals and adding 9 assists in an impressive first season in English football.
- (Striker) Billy Sharp – Sheffield United: second oldest player in this selection, not that you’d have thought so. The compact forward is the leading scorer in English football this century, and has driven Sheffield United’s promotion charge. In his 35 games, Sharp has netted 23 times and provided 3 assists.
