The Football League Top 51
You voted. We counted. FFT presents 2018-19’s ranking of the finest footballers in tiers two to four, including future stars and a former teacher, all picked by fans
From Aston Villa to Yeovil, the very best the 72 has to offer – as chosen by fans
51 LUKE FREEMAN QPR POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 27
In an up-and-down season for the Hoops, their midfield schemer is one player to consistently bring his A-game, terrifying opposition defences with his direct running and wand of a left peg. Freeman, formerly of Stevenage and Bristol City, is technically talented in the extreme and a man for the big occasion – his opening three goals of 2019 came against Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and Leeds.
50 TYLER WALKER MANSFIELD POSITION FORWARD AGE 22
Perhaps the greatest success of Walker’s season has been to secure a reputation as a master goalscorer, and not simply ‘son of Des’. What impresses most about the loanee is his ability to find space in a crowded box, as well as his composure in finishing with either foot or his head. He’ll return to Nottingham Forest full of confidence after 20-plus goals and potentially a promotion, too.
49 ASHLEY HUNTER FLEETWOOD POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 23
After breaking into the starting XI two seasons ago, the 23-year-old is now the key creative cog for this Fleetwood outfit and among the top assist-makers in League One. Hunter is at his most effective on the left side of midfield, where the bulk of his assists have come from inswinging right-footed crosses that are tough to defend against. The ex-ilkeston man is a clever player with excellent technique.
48 CHUKS ANEKE MK DONS POSITION FORWARD AGE 25
The Arsenal academy product’s talent has never been in doubt, but it has taken a while to work out his most effective position. It seems obvious now: Aneke is a brilliant lower-league striker, able to handle the physicality of League Two and boasting both the ability to create chances and a knack for being on the end of them. He’s been vital in the Dons’ bid for a swift League One return.
47 EBERECHI EZE QPR POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 20
Eze went from being a League Two loanee to a clutch player for QPR in less than a year. A silky No.10, his ability to breeze past players, coupled with a powerful shot, make him a real dangerman and a target for rough treatment from opponents. Like QPR, he has fallen away in the second half of the season, but he has the skill to go far and, at 20, the time to add the consistency needed to do so.
46 MAX AARONS NORWICH POSITION DEFENDER AGE 19
The teenager impressed in the Carabao Cup’s early rounds, was given a chance in the league and since then has been first-choice right-back (where he now plays opposite another young full-back, 21-year-old Jamal Lewis). Going forward, he offers the Canaries width, pace and fantastic link-up play, and in defensive situations has shown great maturity. Born in the 20th century, Aarons is the prototype of a modern full-back.
45 IAN HENDERSON ROCHDALE POSITION FORWARD AGE 34
It’s difficult to think of many players quite as crucial to their team as Ian Henderson is to Dale. Set to be the club’s top goalscorer for a fifth season in succession, he’s hit more League One goals than anyone in the division across the past five campaigns. The veteran can play as a deep-lying forward or out wide and still be the team’s most consistent goal threat, and he’s showing no sign of slowing.
44 ALAN BROWNE PRESTON POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 23
Were this The 51 Most Underrated Football League Players, Browne would be No.1. Plucked from Cork City as an 18-year-old, he has just reached 200 Preston appearances and his influence has never been greater. He wears No.8 but plays as a No.10 and is the top-scoring midfielder in the Championship, while his work without the ball allows Alex Neil’s side to defend from the front to supreme effect.
43 NEWPORT POSITION FORWARD AGE 30
You scored in every round of Newport’s run to the last 16 of the FA Cup – not to mention getting your first Republic of Ireland call-up – so has this been your best season to date? I think so. By early March I had 21 goals and eight assists. I was proud to score in every FA Cup round – no one had done that in a while.
Did your FA Cup goal against Spurs last year give you belief against big teams? Yes. I’m not suggesting I’m a Premier League striker, not by a long distance. But it gave me confidence, knowing we’d get chances – then it was just about me taking them. When I was younger I faced Benfica and Porto with Pacos de Ferreira, and maybe I was in awe of them. Now I back myself against big teams. I think, ‘They’re really good, but I’m not bad myself’.
Which FA Cup goal meant the most to you? The Middlesbrough goal was one of the best I’ve ever scored, and although Man City beat us 4-1, I was scoring against possibly Europe’s best team. But Leicester was most special, as it was the winner against a Premier League club. What did Pep Guardiola say to you after the Man City game in the fifth round? He complimented me on my finish, the team’s performance and what we had achieved in the FA Cup this season. He said that we should all be very proud of ourselves. It was unbelievable to have a conversation with him.
Back in Ireland, you were once rumbled for playing hurling under a false name on the same day as a football match. Fill us in... I’d been permitted to go and play hurling, but then I broke into Shamrock Rovers’ first team sooner than I expected. I didn’t want to let my hurling team-mates down. The manager said, “We’ll get around it by calling you Brendan on the team-sheet, but stay away from the team photos.” I played football just three hours after the hurling. Shamrock found out about it, so I played innocent and said I didn’t realise that I couldn’t. I got away with it, thankfully! Luckily my boss at Shamrock was understanding, or my football career could have been over before it had even started. The hurling stopped very quickly after that, though!
42 LUKAS JUTKIEWICZ BIRMINGHAM POSITION FORWARD AGE 30
The man they call The Duke has always been a useful forward at Championship level. But having become a key man under Garry Monk, he’s now enjoying his best campaign yet, thriving alongside Che Adams and reaching double figures for both goals and assists in early February. For any team playing a direct style of football, a willing targetman is essential, and the 30-year-old has won the most aerial duels in the division.
41 JASON SHACKELL LINCOLN POSITION DEFENDER AGE 35
Shackell – one of several players lured to Sincil Bank in recent seasons despite clearly being capable of playing higher up the ladder – has lived up to the expectations and formed part of the Imps’ sturdy League Two spine. His leadership qualities have helped Lincoln to maintain top spot for most of the campaign, while his four league goals have included two winners and a stunning direct free-kick.
40 OLI MCBURNIE SWANSEA POSITION FORWARD AGE 22
Last season, he won Barnsley’s Player of the Year prize despite joining the club in January; now, back at Swansea, the perfect loan striker is the perfect lone striker. The Scotland international’s fun personality and throwback style (he’s been called a 21st-century Steve Claridge) make him a fan favourite, but he has real talent too, dropping deep to spray the ball wide before receiving a cross.
39 REECE JAMES WIGAN POSITION DEFENDER AGE 19
It’s hard for a full-back to catch the eye, yet James was singled out as the Latics’ Player of the Month for September, October and even November. In fact, he performed so emphatically well at right-back that Wigan boss Paul Cook tried him out in central midfield – and he ran the show there, too. Could Chelsea’s potential transfer ban make them give an opportunity to teenage talent next season?
38 IVAN TONEY PETERBOROUGH POSITION FORWARD AGE 23
The Posh parted with a reported £650,000 to nab the striker from Newcastle and, thanks to regular first-team action, he already looks like following in the footsteps of ex-peterborough forwards Dwight Gayle and Britt Assombalonga as he approaches 20 goals in all competitions this term. A mobile forward, Toney is a threat in the air, can score with both feet and has formed a deadly partnership with assist king Marcus Maddison.
37 NICKY LAW EXETER POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 31
Manager Matt Taylor called Law “a League One player” in bringing him to League Two for free last July, and it’s hard to argue with that assessment. An all-action midfielder, Law can contribute in a number of different positions and offers a goal threat as Exeter hunt a play-off spot. His presence in this list speaks to a consistent high level of performance that is recognised across the fourth tier.
36 ADAM REACH SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 26
A reliable Championship performer for the past five campaigns, Reach shot into the consciousness of the wider football world with two goal of the season contenders – both live on TV – in the space of one autumn week. As well as the magic left foot that stunned Leeds and West Bromwich Albion, Reach possesses an impressive work rate and can be relied upon to perform in a variety of roles.
35 JAY O’SHEA BURY POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 30
The Irish midfielder has rediscovered his stellar Chesterfield form with Bury, despite being deployed in a deeper midfield role to the one he often played for the Spireites. Far from suppressing his attacking instincts, however, this part with a free-scoring Shakers outfit has brought out the best in O’shea, who’d registered 20 league goals and assists for the fourth-tier high-fliers by the start of March.
34 SAMMIE SZMODICS COLCHESTER POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 23
One of half a dozen graduates from an impressive academy forming the spine of Colchester’s first team, local lad Szmodics is the jewel in the club’s crown. His greatest weapon is an unerring accuracy from the edge of the box – he’s into double figures for goals for a second year running – and with the technical quality to play at a higher level, the No.10 has been tipped for a big move.
33 POSITION MIDFIELDER PORTSMOUTH 24 AGE
Are you happy with your form this season? Very happy. I’ve already scored more goals than in 2017-18 – and plenty of assists, too, though I always want more. We want to regain the consistency we had at the beginning of the season. Promotion would be huge for the fans, who saved the club during hard times.
What’s been your best moment this season? Beating Bury to reach the Checkatrade Trophy final at Wembley. I’d never been there, despite growing up 15 minutes away. Even my missus had seen a game there, and an Ed Sheeran gig!
How did non-league football prepare you for playing in the Football League? It made me grow up, because I was in a bad cycle before I came through at Hampton & Richmond. You see how quickly someone can be signed, but also released, which happened to me. The manager there, Alan Dowson, put his trust in me – his own job was on the line, so I wanted to repay that faith.
And you were a PE teacher as your day job? Absolutely. I helped out at a summer camp at Coombe Hill school in Kingston and ended up being a full-time PE teacher there. I don’t know which is more daunting: taking your first class of 30 kids, some with no interest in what you’re saying, or running out at a packed Fratton Park!
So how did the move in 2017 come about? One day, I spotted two bright blue Portsmouth tracksuits in the front row of a Hampton game before the warm-up had started. They stood out like a sore thumb! I scored in that match and things went from there.
You’d never played outside of London before – does Portsmouth feel like home now? Definitely. My daughter was born here and we now have another baby on the way. The club is a massive part of the community. In Tesco, people will stop and ask for photos. It’s great – even if the weekly shop can take three hours!
32 JON MCLAUGHLIN SUNDERLAND POSITION GOALKEEPER AGE 31
It’s hard to overstate the Scot’s contribution to Sunderland’s season as they readjust in League One, and surely only the outstanding Aiden Mcgeady will rival him for the Black Cats’ player of the year award. Mclaughlin’s saves have turned potential defeats into draws, and draws into victories. He made his Scotland debut last year at the age of 30, but could yet cement a place as their No.1.
31 ALEX MOWATT BARNSLEY POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 24
The early days of the midfielder’s Oakwell spell weren’t promising. He was sent off 40 minutes into his debut in January 2017, then loaned to Oxford for a season. But since Daniel Stendel’s arrival as manager, Mowatt has made real progress, pulling the strings with a quality of pass rarely seen in the third tier. Barnsley’s star forwards would labour without this former Leeds player in the engine room.
30 ADAM WEBSTER BRISTOL CITY POSITION DEFENDER AGE 24
Webster’s partnership with Tomas Kalas has given the Robins one of the division’s toughest defences. Comfortable engaging aerially and in one-on-one situations, he also has the quality on the ball that is required of a top defender. After his rise through the Football League with Portsmouth, Ipswich and now Bristol City, everything points to Premier League football for Webster in the years to come.
29 JAMES JUSTIN LUTON POSITION DEFENDER AGE 21
Those who have seen a fair bit of Justin are very excited about his potential. He’s a right-back who has been playing on the left, and he can surge down the flanks to great effect, contributing no few goals and assists. Luton fans are hoping back-to-back promotions will enable them to keep hold of this prodigious asset, but either way this is unlikely to be the last you’ll hear about the 21-year-old.
28 SHEFFIELD UNITED POSITION DEFENDER AGE 26
How many clubs can say their record signing was a bargain? Sheffield United can. While Brentford’s sales savvy has put them £55m in profit over four years of transfers, it was a misstep to let Egan, at 25, go for just £4m. His penalty-box dominance is a major factor in United having the second tier’s tightest defence after Middlesbrough’s Pulisball.
In Ireland, Egan isn’t even the most famous sportsperson in his family. Mother Mary was a title-winning footballer and his father, also John, a Gaelic football legend – statue and all. An Irish Examiner article in 2010 said Egan Jr, then 17, “has answered to three names his whole life: John, Egan, and Son of John Egan”.
But he’s making his own way as Chris Wilder builds brilliance on a budget. In their victory at West Bromwich Albion, a point behind them in the promotion race, United’s XI had cost just £6.5m. The winner came from the Blades’ use of overlapping centre-backs – old dog Martin Cranie learning new tricks to cross – but this unique tactic would fail if the third centre-half lacked Egan’s quality. An opposition break will often encounter only Egan and Ollie Norwood, and still it’ll often falter. £4m? Good luck bidding that for the son of John Egan now...
27 JAMES NORWOOD TRANMERE POSITION FORWARD AGE 28
It’s sometimes claimed that prolific non-league goalsmiths can struggle with the step up to League Two, but after helping to fire Tranmere back into the 72, Norwood has gone from strength to strength in the Football League’s basement. Despite concerns that he’d miss Andy Cook after his June move to Walsall (the duo shared 50 league goals last season), Norwood has in fact only increased his output.
26 MATT CLARKE PORTSMOUTH POSITION DEFENDER AGE 22
Clarke’s potential is scary: at just 22 he has already amassed more than 150 Pompey appearances, and he’s consistently been one of their standout performers in that time. He ticks two boxes for elite centre-backs, being defensively rock-solid as well as comfortable in possession. While he’s currently in the third tier, his rapid progress to date suggests he may not be eligible for this list much longer.
25 DERBY POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 20
What’s it like to play for Frank Lampard? Massive. Being a Chelsea midfielder, I would always watch him and try to take things from his game. This season, he’s taught me a lot about timing my movements into the penalty area and getting into the right positions, as well as pressing when we don’t have the ball.
And what about his No.2, Jody Morris, who was previously Chelsea’s academy coach? He’s been a massive influence on my career. He was my manager when I first played for Chelsea’s under-18s. We won two FA Youth Cups and he made me captain for the second. I owe him a lot, and it’s great to work with him.
How was your loan at Vitesse last season? I loved it. The technical side of the Eredivisie really suited me. I had to grow up pretty fast, as I was only 18 and living on my own for the first time. I didn’t learn much Dutch, though – it’s a tough language to pick up!
How have you found the Championship? It’s a really tough league – everybody says it, but it’s true. You play a lot of games and you face experienced players who know how to disrupt your game. You’ve got to rise above it. The physical side is the biggest difference.
What’s your highlight of the season so far? The cup games against Premier League sides. We won at Manchester United in the League Cup and at Southampton in the FA Cup, and did well at Chelsea, too. It was surreal, going to Stamford Bridge and playing for the away team, but my focus was on winning, which we might’ve done on another night. Our [league] game at Norwich was a roller coaster, too: we were 3-2 down with 10 minutes left, and won. I’d never experienced anything like it before!
You were called up to the senior England squad in the autumn – how did that feel? Amazing. That’s every boy’s dream. It was an unbelievable experience. I didn’t get a chance to get on the pitch, so now I’m focused on working even harder to get another chance.
24 JOE LOLLEY NOTTINGHAM FOREST POSITION FORWARD AGE 26
While he was popular at Huddersfield, Lolley played only a bit-part role in their incredible promotion to the Premier League in 2016-17. Since then, he has thrived at the City Ground, wowing Forest fans with direct dribbling and rockets from distance. During the Reds’ remarkable 5-5 thriller at Aston Villa, Lolley – a Villa supporter – caught the eye with four assists and a sensational 35-yard strike.
23 KAMIL GROSICKI HULL POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 30
The Polish wideman’s unhappy stay with Hull appeared short-lived when they were relegated to the Championship after his arrival in January 2017. A 2018 transfer to Sporting never materialised, however, and he was tasked with knuckling down at the foot of the Championship, as Hull then were. Grosicki redeemed himself with goals, assists and a work rate that many people previously doubted.
22 BURY POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 28
What does it mean to you to be named the best player in League Two by our readers? It’s definitely nice to get some recognition for playing well. It’s all about the team, though, particularly given the way we play. We are a good passing team, which really helps me.
How would you sum up this season so far? Incredible! Last season was difficult and you really felt for the fans having to turn up every week, but now we’re playing possibly the best football they’ve seen in a few seasons. That’s mostly down to the manager and all his staff. From day one he set out how he wanted us to play, and he has never deviated from that.
Ryan Lowe went from being your team-mate to your manager – was that weird? It was a bit strange to begin with, but he’s got the balance right. He’s very approachable – all the players know that they can go to him with any issues – but he’s not afraid to have a go at the lads when we need it.
How important is it for Bury to get back into League One at the first opportunity? It’d be massive. We spent a fair bit of money last season trying to avoid relegation, but it just didn’t work. The turnaround’s been huge. I think that if you told the fans at the end of last season that in a year’s time we would be pushing for promotion and playing the way we’re playing, they would’ve laughed at you! Who were the players you looked up to when you were a kid? As a huge Preston supporter, I’d have to say Paul Mckenna. He was a local lad who came through the ranks, and an unbelievable player. I was fortunate enough to train alongside him a few times, which was mad – I just couldn’t get my head around it!
Is it true that you joined Preston for a free season ticket and a bottle of milk? I have read that in an interview with [former Preston academy boss] Gary Peters, but I’ve got no idea. I would have been about eight at the time. I did have a season ticket, but don’t remember the milk. My mum probably took it. I was happier with the season ticket anyway!
A couple of years ago, injury kept you out of the game for about 12 months. Has missing so much football during that time made you even more determined to make the most of your playing career? Yes, absolutely. We couldn’t put our finger on what the problem was. I went to cross a ball and something seemed to snap near my groin. I would spend months in rehab, but then come back and have the same problem once again. I had an injection in the summer [of 2017] but it got infected, which set me back even more. There were points where I felt I’d never make it back onto a football pitch – now I’m just glad to be playing and enjoying it.
21 JOHN MARQUIS DONCASTER POSITION FORWARD AGE 26
Millwall sent Marquis on nine different loans with varying degrees of success before cashing in on him in 2016 – and he’s been Donny’s talisman ever since. As a physical presence and also the man you’d trust to put a chance away, he’s key to the club’s ambitions and as reliable a striker as you’re likely to find in League One, rarely going more than a couple of matches without being on the scoresheet.
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Playing against Boro must be exhausting. The first obstacle: an immovable three-man midfield that includes Mo Besic and John Obi Mikel. Next: the wing-backs, who are often yet more central midfielders. Got past that half of the team? Good. Now deal with three centre-backs and, finally, beat Randolph.
The Irish keeper is the last line of a defence that doesn’t give much away. At the time of writing, Boro had played 34 games and let in 24 goals – 10 fewer than the Championship’s next-best defence, and the best record in the entire Football League. Having arguably the division’s best shot-stopper certainly helps.
Randolph’s star rose slowly. Picking football over basketball, he left Ireland at 16 but didn’t see regular action until he was 23. Bad press followed as he went on strike at Hereford and earned a violent conduct charge playing for Motherwell. Improvement with Birmingham, West Ham and the Boys in Green took him to the Riverside, where he’s in career-best form.
He is more prevention than cure, organising Boro’s defensive hordes to keep the opposition at bay, but at times his actions, not his words, have won valuable points. At home to Derby, the hosts were under the cosh in the first half, but Randolph produced two magnificent saves from Harry Wilson to keep Boro in the match and bag a point. Four days earlier, in a tepid 0-0 draw with Rotherham, Randolph brilliantly denied Ryan Williams at point-blank range and Michael Smith from distance. Against Ipswich in December, he made match-winning stops from Trevoh Chalobah and Freddie Sears.
Under Tony Pulis, Boro rely on tight margins. A top keeper is essential, in offering the team a platform to win from the few chances they create. By mid-march, Middlesbrough were 5th but only twice had they netted more than two goals in a game. Pulis’ team do just enough, and without Randolph it wouldn’t be enough.
19 DWIGHT GAYLE WEST BROM POSITION FORWARD AGE 29
He’s the ultimate Championship striker. Gayle has become a yo-yo player, always prolific at this level but unable to convince top-flight managers of his ability (not that a Premier League goal every 225 minutes is awful). The Londoner has been his usual second-tier self with the Baggies, converting a decent percentage of chances even when shunted to the wings in order to accommodate Jay Rodriguez in a one-striker setup.
18 KIEFFER MOORE BARNSLEY POSITION FORWARD AGE 26
Moore is a targetman who has since added a goalscoring edge to his game. He caught the eye on loan at Rotherham from Ipswich during the first half of last season, and though his move to Barnsley in January 2018 couldn’t keep the Tykes in the Championship, he’s been in formidable form back in League One. He’ll be desperate to prove his Championship qualities next season if he gets a chance.
17 LYLE TAYLOR CHARLTON POSITION FORWARD AGE 29
Many were surprised to see Taylor stick around in League One when he left AFC Wimbledon last summer, hopping across south London to The Valley. Lyle’s all-round game makes him a special footballer at this level, and he and Karlan Grant had a deadly partnership before the latter moved to Huddersfield in January. Tellingly, Addicks fans were mostly relieved that the club managed to keep hold of Taylor.
16 EMI BUENDIA NORWICH POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 22
While it’s impossible not to be impressed by most of Norwich’s young squad, Buendia has made a particularly rapid emergence as one of the Championship’s best playmakers. The Argentine, 22 – with La Liga experience at Getafe – arrived last summer and didn’t wait to show off his dribbling and passing skills. The Football League is blessed with some great no.10s right now, and this one has the qualities to play at the very top.
15 NEAL MAUPAY BRENTFORD POSITION FORWARD AGE 22
After a rampant start, this has been another frustrating season for Brentford, but their 20-goal striker hasn’t let up for a moment. Last term he missed some gilt-edged chances; now, his enviable ability to get into excellent goalscoring positions has been augmented by a newly clinical edge. As ever, Brentford look likely to lose their stars in the summer. Maupay will be on quite a few shopping lists.
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What was it like to start out at Aston Villa? It was amazing. They were a top-six side, in Europe, with a great manager in Martin O’neill. I worked with great coaches: Kevin Macdonald, Tony Mcandrew, Gordon Cowans... They gave us qualities to use for the rest of our careers.
How did you find your experience of playing for Paolo Di Canio at Swindon? He was the reason I signed for Swindon. I loved everything about him, from his passion to the way he wanted to play. He had a reputation for doing strange things, of course. We were once 2-0 down against Preston after 20 minutes, so he brought off our goalkeeper. There was a big bust-up that was caught on the Sky cameras.
Why has it clicked for you at Luton this year? I think last year was great as well, to be honest, but no one praised us as we were expected to do well in League Two. This year, with everyone writing us off because League One has bigger sides, people are starting to take notice of us.
Were you disappointed when Nathan Jones left the Hatters in January to manage Stoke? I was gutted – he brought me in and I loved working with him. I was worried things might turn for us, but Mick Harford came in and the players have kicked on. We’ve got a chance to achieve something special this season and we want to make sure we do it, for us and for the fans. There’s hard work to be done, but if you’d given us this scenario when the season began, we would have snapped your hand off – I’ve always wanted a crack at the Championship.
What was your favourite goal this season? Probably the one I scored against Coventry. It wasn’t the best strike, but it felt great to score against my boyhood club back at their ground.
You must be delighted to have got into the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time... It’s surreal. That’s been the aim for my whole career. I’ve had to work from the bottom and gradually creep up. This year, I feel I’m finally getting recognition. To be called up is amazing.
“WE’VE GOT A CHANCE TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING SPECIAL. I’VE ALWAYS WANTED A CRACK AT THE CHAMPIONSHIP”
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For a 22-year-old, Jarrod Bowen has already experienced his fair share of setbacks. The youngster bears the scars of two relegations with Hull, having previously been snubbed as a kid by Cardiff and Aston Villa. He was instead picked up by boyhood club Hereford, only to watch them go pop when he was 17 after playing for the Bulls without pay.
Now, though, things are looking quite a lot better. Across his two Championship seasons, Bowen has scored 32 goals in 77 appearances – a startling return for a wideman, particularly as Hull spent nearly all of that time occupying a berth in the bottom half of the table.
He was named December’s Championship Player of the Month and is scoring goals faster than he can think of celebrations (one against Bolton was darts-themed, though sadly not in tribute to his namesake, Bullseye host Jim).
Playing on the right wing, Bowen is adept at cutting inside onto his left foot and capable of producing a sublime finish, as Swansea, QPR and Sheffield Wednesday – among others – have learned to their cost throughout 2018-19.
Bowen plays with intelligence, excels in tight spaces and, having scored twice in a game five times in three months, apparently likes a brace more than the most fanatical orthodontist.
And there’s more. Due to his work rate and smart football brain, Bowen makes a massive number of interceptions for a winger; in fact, he scored from one in Hull’s shock 2-0 victory against high-flying Leeds at Elland Road.
With a high press now the height of fashion, Bowen is an appealing proposition for a host of clubs, and was linked
with Spurs in January.
12 PONTUS JANSSON LEEDS POSITION DEFENDER AGE 28
Much has been made of Leeds’ ‘Bielsa-ball’ brand of lung-busting pressing and attacking, but they wouldn’t be promotion pushers without a solid foundation, and particularly Jansson and Liam Cooper in central defence. The Swede is comfortable on the ball and dominant physically, while his desire to win (not to mention presence on social media) has made him an Elland Road hero.
10 JACK GREALISH ASTON VILLA POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 23
There’s no doubt at all that Grealish would be even higher on this list but for his long injury layoff: when fit, there’s no better player in the Football League. Jack’s all-round game has vastly improved, while his ability to drift past players is elite level; defenders are terrified of being humiliated by his trickery. No player in the league has been fouled more than Grealish, and he’s missed a third of the season.
8 BRADLEY DACK BLACKBURN POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 25
Dack, arguably the best player in League One last term as Rovers won promotion, settled into life in the Championship with nine goals in his first 17 games at this new level. Generally playing just behind the striker, Dack routinely befuddles defences with constant movement and nifty footwork. Despite a mid-season drop-off in his goalscoring form, he has still provided moments of magic.
11 JAY RODRIGUEZ WEST BROM POSITION FORWARD AGE 29
Many assumed that Rodriguez would be moving on following relegation, but his commitment to the cause has shone through – as has his quality as a Premier League striker. Although former Baggies boss Darren Moore often struggled to squeeze both J-rod and Dwight Gayle into his team, their combined goal haul keeps the Hawthorns outfit dreaming of a swift return to the top flight.
KEMAR ROOFE LEEDS POSITION FORWARD AGE 26
Roofe was written off by many people (some Leeds fans included) after an underwhelming first two seasons at Elland Road, but he’s one of several players revitalised by Marcelo Bielsa. Deployed in his favoured position up top at last, Roofe has looked every inch the poacher in a team that creates chances aplenty. His knee injury in mid-february could hardly have come at a worse time, though.
7 BIRMINGHAM POSITION FORWARD AGE 22
You played non-league football for Oadby Town and Ilkeston Town as a teenager – were there a few grizzly old centre-backs out to give you a kicking? It was as tough as the Championship – those guys were playing to pay the mortgage, so it meant everything to them. I always had faith that I could play a bit level, but it’s taken a lot of hard work to get here. And yeah, I got some rough treatment, although I still get that now playing for Birmingham!
Was it a big step up moving from Ilkeston to Sheffield United? When I first got to Sheffield United, I thought I would be going into the development team or something – I didn’t realise I’d be straight in with the first-team squad. It was amazing. I learnt so much from training with guys like Billy Sharp. He taught me a lot about the dedication you need to succeed at this level.
One of your first appearances for Sheffield United was against Tottenham in the 2015 League Cup semi-finals. What was it like to be stepping onto the pitch with players like Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane? It was unbelievable – I never thought I would be playing against guys like that. Nigel Clough was the manager at the time and he’d shown he was willing to give the younger players and guys from the lower leagues a chance, which was part of the reason I moved there. I just went onto the pitch hoping for a few touches of the ball – I definitely didn’t expect to score twice! Tottenham’s quality showed through in the end and Eriksen scored twice, but it was an amazing night.
6 TAMMY ABRAHAM ASTON VILLA POSITION FORWARD AGE 21
The Chelsea striker’s decision to return to the second tier was a real coup for Aston Villa, and the youngster certainly didn’t disappoint. Picking up where he left off from his fruitful 2016-17 loan at Bristol City, Abraham has plundered plentiful goals due to superb movement and finishing. January attention from Wolves suggests we’re not likely to see him in the Football League again. What’s changed this season that’s meant you’ve suddenly started scoring so often? Confidence and experience are everything, and Garry Monk has given me the game time to build up both. Once you start scoring goals, you get the hunger to score more and more. That’s what it’s been like for me this season – I’ve found the hunger.
Is your ambition to follow in the footsteps of guys like Jamie Vardy, Troy Deeney and Glenn Murray and rise from non-league to the Premier League? Of course, but it takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice to get there – they’ve all done very well for themselves and I’d love to emulate them. My objective is just to keep playing well for Birmingham, then see where it takes me.
And most importantly... are you named after Che Guevara? [Laughs] I am. It’s not some kind of political statement, though. My mum heard his name on the news and she liked it – simple as that!
5 OLIVER NORWOOD SHEFFIELD UNITED POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 27
Having played a part in promotion campaigns for both Brighton and Fulham, the central midfielder is going for three in a row – and his influence is greater than ever. He is the Blades’ metronome, with more passes per game than any other Championship player, but just as crucially, Norwood offers them steel in the middle of the park. His wicked set-piece delivery has teed up numerous goals, too.
4 HARRY WILSON DERBY POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 22
Welsh wizard Wilson has done enough on loan with the Rams – after last year’s heroics at Hull – to earn a chance to prove himself in Liverpool’s first team. His goals from distance and dead-ball flair have got Derby (and Wales) out of several awkward scrapes, the youngster’s ability to manipulate a football with that hammer of a left foot making him something of a sensation on social media.
“ONCE YOU START TO SCORE GOALS, YOU GET THE HUNGER FOR MORE. I’VE GOT THE HUNGER”
3 BILLY SHARP SHEFFIELD UNITED POSITION FORWARD AGE 33
If anyone deserves a crack at the Premier League, it’s Sharp. Since making his Championship bow at Sheffield United 15 years ago, he has surpassed 300 appearances in the division, netting 113 goals and showing immense strength of character during personal tragedy – yet he’s played just 20 top-flight minutes. Few would begrudge the Blades’ talisman – 33 and scoring more than ever – another shot.
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How would you sum up this season? It has been really positive. All around the club, there’s this excitement to end 15 years away from the Premier League. It feels so close. This city deserves a Premier League team. It’d be the best achievement of my career if we go up.
You turn 34 in April – how have you adapted your game during your career? I’m the old guy! I can’t dominate one-on-one situations – I’m not as explosive as I was – but with my experience I can find space. What you lose with one hand, you gain with the other. The secret is to receive the ball with your head up, looking for the next pass before the ball is at your feet. In this league, if you have to think about what you’ll do next, you’re dead.
Your strike after 16 seconds in the 4-0 win at home to West Bromwich Albion was one of the quickest goals in Leeds’ history. How important is it to start a game well? It reflects what this team is all about. We press constantly and we want to rob the opposition as high as we can. The stats don’t lie – we’ve won every time we’ve scored first this season.
Describe the day-to-day with Marcelo Bielsa. He looks after every detail. We all do everything together. Marcelo knows that to make a team, you create a family. He’s just loco for football. FFT’S readers have voted you among the best players in the Football League. What does that mean to you? Honestly, it gives me so much pride and joy. Of course, I’d change any of these individual awards if it meant Leeds go up, but it’s lovely for supporters from other clubs to recognise your worth in this way, especially at my age!
Your brother-in-law is Sergio Garcia. Who’s better: you at golf, or Sergio at football? [Laughs] I would say Sergio at football. I used to play a bit of golf, but we have had the odd kickabout at family events, so I already know he’s pretty good at football.
“In THIS LEAGUE, IF YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO DO NEXT, THEN YOU’RE DEAD”
When Norwich signed Pukki, then 28, on a free transfer from Brondby, it wasn’t with a view to the Finn scoring 23 goals before March for a table-topping Canaries outfit. He has been the Championship’s bargain of the season – and, say Fourfourtwo readers, the Football League’s Player of the Season.
Although Pukki has eight assists, putting him in the league’s top 10 creators, his campaign – and the club’s – has been defined by his goals. He’s converted opportunities at an excellent rate, and offered unfathomable consistency.
But how? Pukki isn’t especially tall, nor quick compared to many Championship forwards, or indeed many Championship defenders. The Finn’s attacking movement is superb, though, and what he lacks in pace, he finds in space.
Arguably, Pukki isn’t a striker at all. His first Norwich start up top was in September, when boss Daniel Farke decided his 4-2-3-1 system wasn’t working with Jordan Rhodes playing the lone ranger while Pukki operated on the right or in the hole, where he previously spent a sizeable chunk of his career. Farke benched Rhodes, moved Pukki forward and City, having taken five points from their opening six games, won their next four all by single-goal margins, their new striker scoring in three of them.
Since then, Pukki has led a competitive and high-scoring Golden Boot race (the league’s top scorer in 2017-18 was Matej Vydra with 21; this term, four players reached his tally before March 3). Yet Pukki hasn’t netted one penalty.
He did have one saved, during a tussle with Millwall that epitomised why Farke’s men are chasing down promotion. They trailed 1-0 at half-time and 3-2 after 90 minutes, but won 4-3 with Pukki scoring well into stoppage time. He’s made a habit of scoring vital goals this term, with late winners against Millwall (97th minute), Bolton (93rd) and Blackburn (86th) joining match-settling strikes in tight victories over Preston, Middlesbrough and QPR. It’s the same internationally: Finland won promotion to UEFA Nations League B on the back of Pukki scoring in three consecutive 1-0 victories.
That’s Pukki this year: the difference-maker. Relentless, averaging a goal or assist per game and netting in most, he’s the hero that no one anticipated – perhaps not even Norwich.
THE Finn HAS MADE A HABIT OF SCORING VITAL LATE WINNERS