The Sky Bet Championship season is over but there is still plenty to play for as we await the play-offs.
WhoScored.com round up the star performers from a remarkable campaign in the second tier, according to their unique statistical ratings…
Goalkeeper: Bartosz Bialkowski (Ipswich) – 6.79
It wasn’t the ideal season for Ipswich, who finished 12th and saw Mick McCarthy call time on his role at the club last month. It could have been a lot worse for the Tractor Boys, though, had Bialkowski not worked wonders between the sticks having made more saves (153) than any other Championship goalkeeper to help return a save-success rate of 72.8 per cent – the third best in the league.
Centre-back: Willy Boly (Wolves) – 7.52
Just keeping Sol Bamba out of the team of the season is Wolves centre-back Boly, who took to the rigours of a new league like a duck to water. He made more passes per game (61.2) than any other defender in the Championship this season, reinforcing a statistically calculated WhoScored.com strength of ‘passing’, while 2.3 tackles and 2 interceptions per game were respectable returns.
Centre-back: Curtis Davies (Derby) – 7.59
Derby County secured a play-off spot on the final day of the campaign with a 4-1 win over Barnsley. Summer arrival Davies was a key reason for their push in a top-six finish, with the defender’s WhoScored.com rating of 7.59 the second best in the Championship this season. Davies ranked top for clearances (395) and interceptions (124) and won the second most WhoScored.com man-of-the-match awards (nine) to cap off a fine campaign.
Centre-back: Sean Morrison (Cardiff) – 7.56
Morrison was crucial in the Bluebirds’ promotion campaign, scoring seven goals, a return only bettered by Aden Flint (8) of all Championship defenders. A return of 7.2 aerial duels won per game was more than any defender in the league, while seven clearances per league match also ranked high to help gain a WhoScored.com rating of 7.56.
Left midfield: Barry Douglas (Wolves) – 7.41
The second of three Wolves players to make the grade, Douglas impressed on his debut campaign for the Championship winners following his arrival from Super Lig side Konyaspor. The Scotland international bombarded up the left flank well for Wolves, registering the joint-most assists (14) in the league this season. With an additional five goals and 1.8 key passes per game.
Central midfield: George Saville (Millwall) – 7.32
Millwall narrowly missed out on a play-off spot, and with it back-to-back promotions, but a strong return to the Championship provides a solid foundation to build upon for next season. One of the key men in their play-off charge was summer signing Saville, who scored 10 goals for the Lions, while 128 tackles was the second best return in the Championship this season.
Central midfield: James Maddison (Norwich) – 7.43
Maddison has attracted plenty of Premier League interest and for good reason. Norwich laboured to a 14th-placed finish this season, but the 21-year-old thrived. He scored 14 goals and added a further eight assists, with the latter coming from 124 key passes, more than any other Championship player. The Canaries will find it difficult to retain his services this summer following a strong campaign.
Right midfield: Robert Snodgrass (Aston Villa) – 7.40
Snodgrass proved an inspired loan signing last summer, with the Scotland international the creative hub for this Aston Villa side. His ability from set-piece situations was vital, chipping in with 44 key passes from dead-ball scenarios, the third best in league. His 14 assists was level with Douglas for the most in the Championship this term.
Left forward: Junior Hoilett (Cardiff) – 7.28
Hoilett had a direct hand in 20 of the 69 goals Cardiff scored this season, scoring nine and assisting 11 from 46 appearances, and created more clear-cut goalscoring chances (18) than any other Championship player. He was crucial in Cardiff’s successful promotion push and he’ll hope to take that good form into next season as the Bluebirds look to upset the odds and consolidate a Premier League spot.
Centre forward: Diogo Jota (Wolves) – 7.32
Rounding off the Wolves contingent is forward Jota, who excelled on the back of his summer arrival. The 21-year-old scored 17 goals and registered a further five assists and he’ll hope his good form will see him earn a call-up to Portugal’s World Cup squad. A return of 2.4 successful dribbles per game ranked among the top 10 Championship players this season.
Right forward: Adama Traore (Middlesbrough) – 7.89
Traore transformed into arguably the Championship’s best player once Tony Pulis took charge at the Riverside and with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.89, he is our best-rated player of the season. He won more WhoScored.com man-of-the-match awards (14) than any other player and completed considerably more dribbles (243) than anyone else. An additional five goals and 10 assists contributed to what has been a superb campaign for the Spanish winger.
Don’t miss the Sky Bet Championship play-offs live on Sky Sports Football this weekend. Derby host Fulham in the first leg of their semi-final at Pride Park on Friday night from 7.30pm and Middlesbrough face Aston Villa on Saturday from 5pm
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Sourse: skysports.com
