We’re just over the halfway point in the Football League season, and there have been plenty of star performers. Paul Smith has selected his half-teams of the season for each division, starting with League Two.
Goalkeeper – David Forde, Cambridge United
It was something of a coup for U’s head coach Shaun Derry when he persuaded former Republic of Ireland international Forde to sign up at the Abbey in the summer, fresh from an ever-present role in Portsmouth’s title-win the previous year. And he has delivered. The experienced stopper has 10 clean sheets, coming in almost half of his games- outstanding for a side in the bottom half. He’s let in just 31 goals in 26 games – a strong record when you consider seven were in one game at Luton. If Cambridge can find some goals, Forde will ensure they make a play-off push.
Right back – Matt Tootle, Notts County
As usual with defenders, Tootle is something of an unsung hero. However, his form this season is slowly putting paid to that. Certainly in Nottingham, that’s beginning to change and opposition players and fans are likely to be of that opinion to. Tootle has been a model of consistency, defending doggedly but moreover impressing in attack. He combines effortlessly with his wideman, marauding down the wing on the overlap and contributing three assists.
Centre back – Rod McDonald, Coventry City
The Sky Blues have the meanest defence in the division with just 18 conceded. It’s the main reason why they are pushing for promotion. Mark Robins’ men are extremely difficult to play against and remarkably kept clean sheets against both of the top two, with 3-0 wins over Luton and Notts County. Nine clean sheets in their first 11 league games signalled City’s intentions and McDonald is key. Nicknamed 'Concrete Rod', his physicality enables him to deal with most strikers in this division and he’ll kick and head anything in sight. Only signed in the summer, he’s interesting many observers plotting a January move.
Centre back – Sean Raggett, Lincoln City
Shot to prominence during the Imps’ remarkable FA Cup run of last season with the goal that dumped out Premier League Burnley and Raggett was superb all season as City won the National League title. That form earned him a move to Championship Norwich, and he is said to be heading back there in January after returning to Sincil Bank on loan. That’s because he has gone on and proved he is too good for League Two. The Imps are soaring again, in the promotion places, and Raggett has helped them to 10 clean sheets. Imposing and good on the ball, he will be a huge loss if the Canaries decide to keep him.
Left back – Dan Potts, Luton Town
With five goals from left-back, Potts clearly fits in with Town’s attack-minded philosophy. His height makes him an ideal threat for Nathan Jones to exploit from attacking set-pieces and he’s certainly made his presence felt. Jones likes his side to play from the back, and Potts, son of the former West Ham defender Steve, is often used as the man to start attacks which he is confident doing. Also has three assists from his many forays down the wing.
Right wing – Jodi Jones, Coventry City
Cruelly, injury has deprived Jones of playing any further part in the Sky Blues’ season. It means he’ll miss out on full team of the season honours, for which he was looking a dead cert with fine early-season form. Jones made his intentions known early with an opening-day hat-trick and continued with regular star man accolades. Five goals and four assists tell only half the story. Every time he got the ball he looked like making something happen with his pace, trickery and intent.
With 41% of the vote, your Goal of the Month winner for November is @JodsJones for his strike against Lincoln City! #PUSB
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Centre midfield – Mitch Rose, Grimsby Town
The Mariners could be a side to watch in the second half of the season. After an inconsistent start – a lack of goals being a major problem – Russell Slade oversaw strong end to 2017. At the heart of it all has been Mitch Rose. The box-to-box man is developing into an all-action midfielder. From protecting his back four to help achieve one of the division’s best defensive records, to popping up late in the box for five goals – earning 10 points from them - Rose is key for Slade.
Centre midfield –Sammy Szmodics, Colchester United
Manager John McGreal admits he is braced for bids for his number 10 in January – and it’s not hard to see why. Szmodics is the man that makes things tick for a side surging their way into promotion contention. Only leaders Luton are in better form. Colchester play some of the best football in the division, and Szmodics is their playmaker, the man through which the final telling touch in the final third usually comes. Has 11 goals in 20 appearances, including five in December alone. He’s only getting better – a stark warning to the rest of League Two.
Left wing – Jorge Grant, Notts County
The statistics don’t lie, Grant is having an outstanding season for the high-flying Magpies. The midfielder is behind only Luton striker Danny Hylton and Accrington’s Billy Kee (many of his have been penalties) in the scoring charts, with 13. He has also chipped in with five assists, meaning he has been directly involved with more goals than any other League Two player. He is the go-to man for Kevin Nolan’s promotion chasers and has the ability and confidence to shoulder that responsibility.
Striker – Danny Hylton, Luton Town
Hylton is the league’s top scorer and for that he has to be in. His 15 goals for the freescoring leaders have come at a strike rate of better than one every two games. Part of a devastating Hatters attack, which has seen them hit sides for two fives, two sevens and an eight, Hylton is the cherry on top. Prolific in the box, the 28-year-old is a constant nuisance to defences failing to give them a minute’s piece and setting the devastating tempo for Nathan Jones’ sure-fire championship contenders.
Striker – Adebayo Akinfenwa, Wycombe Wanderers
Clearly, the self-titled Beast isn’t every football fan’s cup of tea. And neither is Wycombe’s style of football for that matter. However, the Chairboys play to their strengths and whatever Akinfenwa’s off-field celebrity on the field, he is very much the key man at Adams Park. Gareth Ainsworth’s men are pushing for the automatic slots with a tiny budget. And Akinfenwa is the man he has built around, literally, with the ball finding him like a magnet, much to the opposition’s fear. He’s chipped in with 12 goals and six assists, many of them more technical than his physique and style of play would have you believe.
