Alternative Championship Team Of The Year Featuring Preston North End And Leeds United Stars

The Championship Team of the Year has been announced and is as mystifying as ever! Apart from having been decided – by journalists – two months and 8 games before the end of the season we once again simply see a loose collection of decent players shoveled into an XI. The players those were chosen are obviously talented, but can never make a team, as so many like Anthony Knockaert, Glenn Murray, and Chris Wood would be playing out of position in this 4-3-3 formation.

However, one should never moan about a situation without offering an alternative solution. So, we offer a different Team of the Year in a similar formation, made entirely of deserving cases that did not make the actual list.

Formation: 4-3-3

GK: KARL DARLOW

The Toon stopper has done precious little wrong this season having deposed Matz Sels as no.1 in the absence of Tim Krul and Rob Elliot. Even having made what looked like a crucial mistake against Rotherham at 0-0, he got up to make a miraculous save, something which was applauded on social media by none other than Iker Casillas.

RB: ANDY YIADOM

Barnsley’s Ghanaian right-back has consistently put in solid performances this season and could well have won his South Yorkshire battle with Tom Smith of Huddersfield for this spot.

CB: TOM CLARKE

It is easy to see how well the Preston team have done. Some may consider skipper Tom Clarke their standout performer at the back.

CB: CIARAN CLARK

Newcastle are at the top of the table with the best defensive record in the league and Clark is their best defender.  Simple really!

LB: CHARLIE TAYLOR

Charlie Taylor has been phenomenal for Leeds this season and easily deserves a spot in the TOTY. The Leeds man is a talented lad and is destined for big things.

CM: TOM CAIRNEY

Cairney was inexplicably left out of the EFL’s choices. Potentially, he is top class and the Fulham midfielder would thoroughly deserves a place.

CM: ALAN BROWNE

Preston have been so solid in the and this player is one of the reasons why. Watch out for the young Irish defensive midfield player.

CM: CONOR HOURIHANE

Hourihane looks like a great buy for Aston Villa and has been exceptional this season and has made the midfield region his own

RW: MATT RITCHIE

A real workhorse for Newcastle on the right-hand side of their attack, Ritchie has been responsible for 9 goals and 8 assists in the league, cutting in from the right to great effect.

LW: AIDEN MCGEADY

McGeady is a quality player. No doubt about it. He has been brilliant on the attack and is one of the most underrated players around. Deserves a place in TOTY.

ST: TAMMY ABRAHAM

Many to consider here; Forestieri, Kodjia, and Kermorgant among others, but in this specific position it’s all about goals and 19 in 33 for a struggling Bristol City side speaks volumes about the on-loan Chelsea man.