Peach’s Picks: Championship Team of the Month

It’s turned out to be an exciting November in the Championship even though we only saw half of it due to the winter World Cup – thank you, FIFA.

Nevertheless, there were still plenty of games to dissect and therefore plenty of players to draw out for praise.

With several players tied on nine goals scored this season, there isn’t a clear front-runner for the golden boot.

Mix that with a congested Championship table, and it’s making for a bloody exciting season.

Here’s my selection for November team of the month.

GK – Ben Wilson (Coventry City)

This was a pretty easy one.

In four games throughout November, Wilson kept four clean sheets for Coventry playing a huge part in the Sky Blues’ resurgent form.

Assured displays have allowed him to claim the number one shirt for himself after displacing the experienced Simon Moore earlier on in the season.

He’s a player that Championship supporters should keep an on eye as he currently ranks second behind Thomas Kaminski for save percentage and has the highest clean sheet percentage in the league.

RB – Darnell Furlong (West Brom)

Furlong has been a source of frustration for West Brom fans, but since Carlos Corberan came in, he’s been steady and reliable.

Exactly everything you need in a full-back.

If in form, he does rank as one of the best defensive full-backs in the league and under Corberan, he’s shown just that so far.

He’s been a key part of a defence that have kept three clean sheets in three games in November and he will continue to be an important cog for the Baggies going forward.

CB – Kyle Bartley (West Brom)

Talk about a phoenix rising from the ashes.

To be polite, West Brom fans had lost interest in the former Leeds and Swansea man but, since Corberan came in, again alike Furlong, he’s been exceptional.

With three clean sheets and two goals, we might be seeing Bartley back to his best at the Hawthorns.

CB – Tom Lockyer (Luton Town)

Any man who defends his goal line with his testicles 1000% deserves to be in contention for Team of the Month.

Disappointing performance away at Stoke aside, Lockyer was consistent throughout November and showed the exact spirit Luton sides should be showing.

Two clean sheets and steady form will give the Welshman confidence heading into the World Cup.

LB – Ryan Manning (Swansea City)

Swansea have been disappointing but this man certainly hasn’t.

He’s played a huge role in helping his side keep two clean sheets and was arguably Swansea’s most influential player in November.

Couple that with his wonder strike against Wigan and there’s a player there who’s enjoyed a very impressive November, even if his team didn’t.

CM – Gus Hamer (Coventry City)

Hamer came back from his four-game suspension in roaring form and has shown exactly why clubs with big budgets should be queuing at the door with a blank cheque for his signature.

Sorry Cov fans, but come on, he’s just bloody brilliant.

Coventry are built around a proactive midfield and Hamer is the beating heart of that, whether it be creating, tackling or just being a fantastic sh*thouse.

CM – Okay Yokuslu (West Brom)

Another West Brom representative.

Yokuslu has been absolutely fantastic in displaying the form many had hoped he would when he returned to the Hawthorns.

Corberan has the Turkish international playing exceptionally well and, if he stays fit and the Baggies continue their resurgent form, I’d put them in contention for a playoff push.

RM – Manuel Benson (Burnley)

It’s hard to profess knowing much about Benson prior to his arrival at Turf Moor.

In a way, that’s better because his performances come with no background or expectation so you can just enjoy him for what he is.

His left foot is a wand, he can glide past defenders and he’s a man thoroughly enjoying life in the northwest.

AM – Chuba Akpom (Middlesbrough)

This man deserves so much credit for adapting his game the way he has.

Akpom was already top goalscorer by the time Michael Carrick arrived, but since shifting to a second striker/makeshift number ten, he’s been exceptional.

Three goals and one assist on the rap sheet prove that he’s a player playing at the top of his game and long may it continue.

LM – Amad Diallo (Sunderland)

Diallo is the man of the moment for me. The youngster has been in impressive form and throughout November, he turned that into goals and assists.

His link-up play and awareness is improving, which is making him a valuable asset in Tony Mowbray’s side.

His goal against Birmingham City could have been contender for goal of the weekend last week if Riley McGree and Brandon Thomas-Asante didn’t pull off the impossible in their respective games.

ST – Viktor Gyokeres (Coventry City)

Big Vik. Matchwinner, dribbler, different gravy.

Four goals in three games as Cov romped up the table. It’s just a case of asking now “how much we talking?”.

You should’ve just paid what they were asking for in the summer Middlesbrough, you fools.

THE TEAM IN FULL: