The Championship season is back up and running after the international break and it did not disappoint.
37 goals were scored in 12 games across the weekend, with a number of stand-out performances. The72 has put together a team of the week to highlight those who stood out for their club over the weekend.
Defence
The goalkeeper this week is Fulham’s Andy Lonergan after a stand-out performance in the 2-1 victory over Blackburn on Sunday. Rovers had 23 attempts on the Fulham goal, with Lonergan only being beaten by a Jordan Rhodes penalty. His efforts means that his side have moved up to 11th in the Championship table and it could prove a crucial three points later in the season.
The first defender in this week’s team is Burnley’s Tendayi Darikwa. The 23-year-old impressed during Burnley’s 3-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday and kept the Owls attack out when the game was in the balance at 1-1. He also provided support for the forwards and played a vital part in Burnley securing all three points. Next is Birmingham City’s Jonathan Grounds. Grounds had a solid afternoon at St. Andrews on Saturday and he was rewarded with a goal as Birmingham ran out 4-2 winners against Bristol City. Another goalscoring defender this week was Charlton’s Patrick Bauer who found the net for the equaliser in their 1-1 draw against Rotherham. Despite entering the games as favourites, Bauer was influential throughout the game and prevented the Addicks from giving Rotherham their second league away win in 2015. The final defender in the team of the week is Brighton’s Gaetan Bong. The full-back prevented Hull from attacking down the right and was a key part in the Brighton defence who failed to concede in this top-two clash. Bong was also a presence going forward and was more than willing to join the attack when the opportunity presented itself.
Midfield
A three man midfield in the team of the week for round six. The first position goes to Brentford’s Alan Judge. The 26-year-old played a key role in Saturday’s 1-1 draw away to Leeds United, and got the assist on the goal that put the visitors ahead. He was a presence in the midfield and helped Brentford walk away with at least a point in the bag, even though it could have easily been three. Next up is another Burnley player, David Jones, making the side after scoring the opening goal in their game against Sheffield Wednesday. Jones’ strike put the hosts ahead in a game that was destined to be a stalemate. An all-round good performance rewarded with a goal for the 30-year-old. The final midfield place goes to Cardiff midfielder Sammy Ameobi. The wide-man was brought on in place of forward Kenwyne Jones and assisted both of Cardiff’s goals as they won 2-0 against Huddersfield Town.
Forward
Three forwards particularly stood out in this round of games. The first was Reading forward Orlando Sa, who scored a hat-trick in Friday night’s 5-1 victory against Ipswich. It was the forward’s first hat-trick in English football and was thoroughly deserved after Sa proved a problem for the Ipswich defence all night. The forward now has four goals in his last two outings. Next up is Orlando Sa’s team-mate Nick Blackman. Another Reading forward who enjoyed their last game, Blackman assisted two of Sa’s three goals against Mick McCarthy’s side and found the net once himself. He was another player who was a real handful for the opposition in a night to remember for Royals manager Steve Clarke. Last, and by no means least, is Birmingham City forward Clayton Donaldson. Another Championship player who found the net three times, it took Donaldson 41 minutes to score all three of his goals. His second hat-trick in a Birmingham City shirt and his fourth in league football.
