ADAM VIRGO

Our columnist selects his alternative Championship top team

IT’S hard to find fault with the Championship team of the season, which was revealed last week after a vote by EFL managers. Though the lack of Cardiff players was a surprise, everybody in the XI has had an exceptional season.

However, for the sake of argument – and to shine the spotlight on a few unsung heroes – I’ve chucked a few alternative names into my own team of the year. Here’s my choice:

GOALKEEPER DANIEL BENTLEY: BRENTFORD

I know John Ruddy has kept more clean sheets. But I honestly believe Daniel is the best all-round keeper in the division.

Unlike John, he plays in a side that is very open to the counter-attack. He is much more exposed and faces a lot of shots.

But he repels an awful lot and his distribution is up there with anyone. He sweeps up, he’s agile, he’s quick off his line. I actually think he’d be first choice in most Championship sides.

LEFT-BACK BARRY DOUGLAS: WOLVES

When you watch Wolves live – as opposed to on TV – you realise instantly that wing-backs are crucial to everything they do. And Douglas, in particular, has been superb.

His free-kicks are excellent. He scores important goals. And nobody in the Championship has bettered his record of 14 assists.

When you think of the vast sums Wolves spent on players in the summer, it’s amazing to think that Douglas cost less than £2m from Turkish side Konyaspor. He has far exceeded what anybody expected of him.

CENTRE-BACK SOL BAMBA: CARDIFF

I find it incredible that not a single Cardiff player was named in the EFL XI. The Bluebirds have spent almost the entire season in an automatic promotion slot – and Bamba is a huge (literally) reason why.

Neil Warnock is very big on having a solid defence and the giant Ivorian has been like a brick wall this season.

Bamba is an out-and-out defender. He won’t spray passes around and his touch isn’t great. But, when you need someone to dig in, win headers and put his body on the line, there are few better at this level.

CENTRE-BACK CONOR COADY: WOLVES

Very similar to Sol Bamba. The way Wolves throw players forward, you’d expect them to get caught behind.

But, with the way Coady reads danger, it rarely happens. Like Sol, he’s just a quality defender who has mastered the basics.

When you have a lot of foreign players in a side, you sometimes need a native who knows the division to anchor things at the back. Coady is that player and, at 25, I’ve never seen him playing so well.

RIGHT-BACK RYAN FREDERICKS: FULHAM

I tried to find an alternative, but it was just impossible. There’s nobody in the Championship as reliable as the former Spurs man.

He is the complete modern-day fullback, where getting forward and making things happen are just as important as defending your flank. Great on the ball, diligent off it, able to go up and down all day long – what more can you ask?

He’s being linked to several Premier League sides and, if they don’t get promoted, Fulham will do very well to keep him at Craven Cottage.

HOLDING MIDFIELD RUBEN NEVES: WOLVES

People may disagree, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better midfielder in the Championship. He has taken the game on in terms of quality on the ball, the goals he’s scored. That volley against Derby was just stupid.

I can’t overstate how hard it is to be a footballing midfielder in the Championship. It’s so fast, so physical, there’s constant turnover of possession. But he’s come in and made it look like the easiest job in the world.

Eyebrows were raised when Wolves paid £15m for Neves in the summer, but what is he worth now? Thirty million? Forty? Any side outside the Premier League’s top seven would want a player of his ability. If he doesn’t win the Player of the Year award, it’s a travesty.

LEFT MIDFIELD RYAN SESSEGNON: FULHAM

Ryan is a great example to any young player courted by Premier League clubs. The 17-year-old could easily have moved on, got lost in the system and ended up an unfulfilled talent.

But he stayed at Fulham, played regularly in the Championship and has flourished. If you ask him to play at left-back, he does an exceptional job. If you put him out wide, he scores goals for fun.

When you see how easy Sessegnon makes the game look, you forget how old he is. It’s only a matter of time before he’s a full England international.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD DIOGO JOTA: WOLVES

I’ve got massive respect for Tom Cairney, the Fulham playmaker. He’s a wonderful talent who fully deserves his nomination for Player of the Year.

But, if I had to choose one man to play in the hole, it would be Jota. Like Neves, the 21-year-old came from Portugal with question marks over his head. Everyone wondered ‘Can they do it on a wet Tuesday night at Bolton?’.

But he’s been absolutely brilliant. Nine goals, five assists – and that’s only half the story. His movement and pace create so much space for players around him. Take him out and they aren’t the same team.

RIGHT MIDFIELD JAMES MADDISON: NORWICH

James is talented, young and plays without fear. He’s probably the only thing worth talking about from what has been a miserable season for the Canaries.

By far Norwich’s best player, his quality on the ball is what stands out. For someone so young, his vision and range of passing is remarkable.

Even in the big games, when Norwich have generally been poor, Maddison stood out a million miles. With eight assists and 14 goals, he’s also got the output. I’d expect him to be at either a top Championship club or playing in the Premier League next season.

FORWARD MATEJ VYDRA: DERBY COUNTY

Championship Player of the Year at Watford in 2013, the Czech striker has since struggled to recapture the form that saw him score 22 goals for the Hornets.

I thought Derby had overspent in shelling out £8m to sign him in 2016, especially after a disappointing first season.

But we’ve seen the real Matej Vydra this year. His finishing has been exceptional and, in a team lacking genuine pace, his ability to burn away from defenders is invaluable.

Is this his level? Probably. He’s had a couple of stabs at the Premier League and it didn’t quite work out. But that doesn’t make Vydra a bad player. It just means his game is suited to the Championship.

FORWARD LEON CLARKE: SHEFFIELD UNITED

Leon’s had lots and lots of chances over his career and never really taken them. When he signed for Chris Wilder, you thought ‘What are you doing?’.

But he’s been brilliant and, at 33, is having the season of his life. He looks fitter, stronger, more motivated. At the start of the season, he was on fire.

OK, so he’s tailed off towards the run-in. But, with 17 goals in 36 games, you can’t ask for much more. MANAGER: NEIL HARRIS (MILLWALL)