- Gab Sutton is a football expert who specialises in the Sky Bet EFL.
After every weekend of action, he builds an EFL Team of the Week and picks out a Sporting Life Star performer.
⭐️⚽️ 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Sky Bet EFL Team of the Week!
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) December 11, 2023
GK: @asmir1
RB: @HamzaChoudhury1
CB: @StruijkPascal
CB: Ronnie Edwards 🌟
LB: Andy Lyons
CM: Shaun McWilliams
CM: @lucaconnell
RW: @Daniel_James_97
CAM: @CalOhare
LW: Nathaniel Mendez-Laing
ST: @alikalhamadi pic.twitter.com/hoFJStmSfB
Goalkeeper
Asmir Begovic (QPR): Signing a 36-year-old goalkeeper who’d played three league games in two years as a first-choice is always a risk. Begović made one or two high-profile errors under Gareth Ainsworth, with questionable distribution, but was a long way from being the Rs’ biggest problem.
Since Martí Cifuentes took charge, the Bosnian has conceded just four goals in six league games and produced his best performance in a Hoops shirt in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Hull. They rode their luck at times and Begović made a few big saves before the second goal to preserve the lead, while his kicking was improved too.
Defenders
Hamza Choudhury (Leicester): With so many stars setting the bar high, it can be hard to stand out at Leicester, but Choudhury’s tenacity, versatility and attitude makes him very useful for Enzo Maresca’s team; he is arguably the most underrated player in the Championship.
Ricardo Pereira had previously played as an inverted full-back so it came naturally to him, for Choudhury to take it on so seamlessly is credit to his adaptability. The 26 year old did the simple things impeccably and the fact Maresca named him captain speaks volumes.
Pascal Struijk (Leeds): Daniel Farke has built a Leeds team to maximise a devastating front four, with their midfield therefore more on the energetic and tenacious side of the spectrum, although Ethan Ampadu is reasonably progressive.
As such, their centre-backs are asked to do more in terms of creating from deep – Joe Rodon got into our XI last week for his long-range passing ability, whereas this week it’s Struijk who caught the eye, with his ability to carry the ball forward and start attacks. The duo are forging one of the best pairings in the Championship, in what looks another area of strength for Farke’s in-form promotion contenders.
🌟 Ronnie Edwards (Peterborough): Young, ball-playing centre-backs who are comfortable on either foot tend to be highly sought after. In Edwards’ case, his 22 appearances for England at U19 and U20 level will only add to his attention - Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony has unsurprisingly slapped an eight-figure price tag on him.
What will really attract clubs is the 20year old's composure in possession and willingness to hold onto the ball under pressure until he sees the right pass – a trait much in evidence in Saturday’s 3-0 win over promotion rivals Oxford.
Andy Lyons (Blackpool): After impressing in the Championship last season following his arrival from Shamrock Rovers, it’s been a tough campaign for Lyons, who has faced difficult family circumstances off the field. It’s a credit to the Irishman that he appears to be recapturing his prior form.
Although a right-back or right wing-back by trade, Lyons thrived at left wing-back in Pool’s convincing 3-0 win over Carlisle, producing a tidy finish for the opening goal, as well as an inviting cross that led to the second.
Midfielders
Shaun McWilliams (Northampton): So crucial to the Cobblers’ progress under Jon Brady over the last three years, McWilliams really starred in Saturday's comprehensive 3-0 win over Fleetwood. In an all-round fantastic display he made a couple of notable attacking runs, drawing a foul for a penalty and was only denied a goal by a superb save.
Luca Connell (Barnsley): Barnsley haven’t quite clicked under Neill Collins yet, so fans have spent the first half of the campaign desperate for Connell to return. The midfielder was crucial to their promotion push under Michael Duff through his ability to energetically snuff out attacks, and his touch and passing range to accelerate play and pick out the flanks.
Since he came into the XI, Barnsley taken seven points from a possible nine and the 22 year old really starred in a 3-1 win at Reading.
Callum O'Hare (Coventry): Coventry were languishing in 20th in early November, and since Mark Robins switched to 4-2-3-1, O'Hare has brought the touch of stardust that’s been missing since key men Gus Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres departed.
Recruitment in that area has been mixed so far, so the 25 year old's return from injury has been vital, really bringing his A-game in Friday’s 2-0 win over Birmingham to score twice as well as providing ball-carrying brilliance and instinctive, one-touch link-up play that opens doors for the Sky Blues.
Forwards
Dan James (Leeds): Leeds are arguably the best counter-attacking side in the Championship and Dan James is a huge part of that. He took his goal expertly in Saturday's 2-0 victory at Blackburn, as well as tracking back to chip in defensively.
He may lack the consistent impact of Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville, but he’s the quickest player in the team and that pace creates space for those around him.
Ali Al Hamadi (AFC Wimbledon): After starting the season goalless in nine appearances, Al-Hamadi has now found the form that saw him bag 10 in 17 for an out-of-form side in the second half of last season, bagging 14 goals in as many games.
The Iraqi centre-forward has benefited from the selflessness of strike-partner Omar Bugiel in an attacking 4-4-2, but has also proven he can thrive as a lone front-man. Quick, strong and a ruthless finisher, the 21 year old may command a seven-figure fee come January.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (Derby): Always a strong runner, it’s credit to his professionalism that at 31 he remains fit as a fiddle, and such a potent counter-attacking threat. The winger is in a real purple patch and was at his best in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Leyton Orient, grabbing a goal and an assist.
More from Sporting Life
- Fixtures, results and live scores
- Expert xG analysis and features
- Transfer news and done deals
- Football and other sports tips
- Download our free iOS and Android app
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.