Burnley stars Joey Barton and Andre Gray are both in, but who else makes SunSport’s Championship Team of the Year?
Football League expert Tom Barclay picks his best XI from English football's second tier
JOEY BARTON is a divisive character but no-one can deny his influence this season.
The loudmouth midfielder has been the driving force behind Burnley’s promotion bid and is one of the signings of the campaign along with Clarets pal Andre Gray.
So no wonder they make SunSport’s Championship Team of the Season, picked by our Football League expert TOM BARCLAY in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
GOALKEEPER
Dimi Konstantopoulos (Middlesbrough)
GREEK veteran, 37, has picked up a whopping 21 clean sheets which includes a run of nine from November to January — equalling a second-tier record.
RIGHT-BACK
Bruno (Brighton)
ANOTHER inspirational old-timer, Bruno is the standout pick on the right of defence.
The Catalan, 35, has been in scintillating form and is adored by fans at the Amex.
CENTRE-BACKS
Dani Ayala (Middlesbrough)
BORO better go up this year because if not, they will struggle to keep hold of this classy Spanish centre-back.
A former Liverpool trainee, Ayala has been imperious and committed in equal measure.
Ben Mee (Burnley)
IF you are after a no-nonsense defender who keeps it simple, Mee is your man.
The ex-Manchester City man has formed a formidable partnership with Michael Keane for the Clarets — although Hull’s Michael Dawson and Blackburn’s Shane Duffy deserve honourable mentions.
LEFT-BACK
George Friend (Middlesbrough)
THE Championship’s Mr Dependable.
Defensively solid and a threat going forward, it’s no wonder Tony Pulis was keen to take Friend to West Brom last summer.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
Beram Kayal (Brighton)
IT boggles the mind as to why Celtic let this cultured Israeli go last year — but the Hoops’ loss has been Brighton’s gain.
Boro star Adam Clayton is unlucky to miss out.
Joey Barton (Burnley)
YOU would see fireworks with Barton and Kayal in the same side as they clashed twice in the 2-2 draw at the Amex earlier this month.
Still, whatever you think of Joey and his outspoken antics on social media, his quality has been there for all to see.
RIGHT-WING
Alan Judge (Brentford)
SADLY, Judge will miss Euro 2016 with Ireland after a recent double leg-break.
And what a miss he will be too, as demonstrated by 14 goals and 11 assists for the struggling Bees.
IN THE HOLE
Ross McCormack (Fulham)
HIS £11million price-tag last season caused quite a stir, but was he worth it? You betcha.
McCormack has hit 21 league goals, second only to 24-goal Andre Gray, plus another eight assists show how vital the Scotland international has been to Fulham this year.
LEFT-WING
Fernando Forestieri (Sheffield Wednesday)
CONSECUTIVE red cards in February should not blot the Italian’s copybook for what has been a stunning season both for himself and his club.
Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal has got the best out of Forestieri’s talents by backing him up with seasoned pros like Kieran Lee and Sam Hutchinson.
CENTRE-FORWARD
Andre Gray (Burnley)
SEAN DYCHE knows a good deal when he sees one and £9m for fleet-footed Gray was a steal.
The speedy striker tops the goalscoring charts and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was playing for England in a couple of years — quite a rise for someone who was playing in non-league four years ago.
But then again, Jamie Vardy proves it can be done.
MANAGER
Chris Hughton (Brighton)
IT had to be, right? Whatever happens in the run-in.
Quiet and unassuming, I overlooked Hughton’s abilities when I tipped Brighton to finish mid-table or lower before a ball was kicked.
But he has confounded the critics by taking the unfancied Seagulls to the brink of the Premier League through organisation, determination and tactical nous.
Perhaps it is time we all gave him more credit.
