Sean Cole takes a look at the five players who are blazing a trail in the Championship with some impressive performances this season...
Bobby Reid – Bristol City
There was always a sense that Reid had more to offer. He made his debut as a late substitute in Bristol City’s final game of the 2010/11 season. Just 18 at the time, he was regarded as one of the best players to come through the club’s academy. A midfielder with excellent touch and awareness he’s made more than 100 first team appearances for the Robins, as well as several more on various loan spells.
A lack of end product was one thing always holding him back and that’s been spectacularly addressed this season. Pushed further forward, Reid has scored eight goals in 14 league games, more than doubling his total for the club in the process. He’s worked well off the physical presence of new signing Famara Diedhiou and is currently in the form of his life as Bristol City challenge in the top six.
- Bristol City: 3
- Crystal Palace: 2
#BristolCity
Neil Etheridge – Cardiff City
As always, Neil Warnock has done well to assemble a competitive team on a budget. After steering Cardiff City to midtable safety following a terrible start under Paul Trollope last season, he brought in several unheralded players over the summer, the majority on free transfers. Very few stood out and little was expected of the Bluebirds.
Neil Etheridge and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing were the first new faces to arrive, rejecting offers to stay in League One and keen to try their luck at the level above. While Mendez-Laing has garnered plenty of attention for his goals, Etheridge’s quiet contribution to Cardiff’s success has gone under the radar. An ever present so far, he’s a key part of the Championship’s meanest defence and kept his sixth clean sheet of the season in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Millwall.
Conor Coady – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Coady has been at Wolves for over two years now. Prior to this season he was a solid if unremarkable squad member, often playing in holding midfield or at right back. He was a steady, dependable presence, and seemingly little more. Many even felt that the arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo as manager, and the more flamboyant style of football he promised, could mark the end for the 24 year-old.
Instead, it’s been the making of him. Unexpectedly converted into a centre back as part of Santo’s preferred 3-4-3 formation, Coady has prospered in a new position. Awarded the captain’s armband at the start of the season with Danny Batth on the bench, he has helped to successfully bring together a disparate group of players. There are now rumours of interest from Premier League clubs.
Mark Duffy – Sheffield United
Top of the Championship and deservedly so, Sheffield United have made a seamless return to the second tier. The division’s biggest surprise package, they’ve kept up the momentum that saw them win League One so convincingly under Chris Wilder. His squad has been tweaked but not dramatically so, and several players have discovered a new lease of life.
A tricky right midfielder by trade, Mark Duffy was named in League One’s Team of the Season last year. He started the campaign out wide but was soon brought infield and has again impressed from a central position this time around. The 32 year-old continues to adapt his game to great effect and set up both goals in Friday’s 2-1 win at Elland Road, teeing up first Billy Sharp and then David Brooks.
Samuel Saiz – Leeds United
Although Leeds have faltered of late, they still have a wealth of attacking talent to call on. Very little was known of Samu Saiz before he signed from Huesca this summer but he’s proved to be the pick of the bunch. A graduate of the Real Madrid youth system, he’s demonstrated all the craft and technical ability you would expect.
The Spaniard announced his arrival in English football with a debut hat-trick against Port Vale in the League Cup. A modern playmaker, he combines all the traditional subtlety of the role – quick feet and clever passing – with a harder edge to his game. Saiz can be a brutal finisher and has been directly involved in 10 goals since joining the club, having scored eight and set up two.
