Coronavirus has starved the football community of enjoying any football. Be that a kick about with your mates at 5 aside or watching the very best on Champions League nights, there is a huge void for football fans across the globe. What it does allow is for us to take stock of how the season has gone so far, and in this piece, consider our Championship Team of the Season (so far). Taking in a multitude of factors from how vital a player has been for their team, to their personal stats, here is the XI we put forward for selection.

GK – Kiko Casilla (Leeds United)

Casilla’s season was soured massively when an independent commission found him guilty of using racist language towards Charlton’s Jonathan Leko. Picking up an 8 match ban and a £60,000 fine, the Spaniard rightfully deserves the criticism coming his way. Judging purely by the football, Kiko has been Superb for Leeds United. In 35 matches the ex-Real Madrid stopper has kept 15 clean sheets. Sure, he will be a miss for the rest of the season (whenever that is), however, he can be proud of the contribution he’s made in bringing the dreams of promotion alive for the Leeds faithful.

RB – Luke Ayling (Leeds United)

Another Leeds Player that has been impressive is Luke Ayling. A string of impressive performances this season has culminated in 4 goals and 3 assists. He has been an assured presence at right back in Marcelo Bielsa’s team. His performances have been recognised by the league, having picked up two PFA Player of the Month awards so far this campaign.

CB – Henrik Dalsgaard (Brentford FC)

The season so far has shown Dalsgaard as a very resolute and level minded CB. He has led his team to the second least goals conceded in the league so far. He has changed his game this season, becoming more of a ball playing CB, with a 76% pass accuracy and 33 key passes made this season in the 35 matches he has featured in so far.

CB – Liam Cooper (Leeds United)

Having been a servant to Leeds for nearly 6 years now, this season has definitely seen a maturity in the defender’s game develop him into a trustworthy and determined CB. His team have conceded the least goals in the league, largely in part to his organisation and composed leadership of the backline.

LB – Joe Bryan (Fulham FC)

Joe Bryan has always been a solid and consistent performer in the championship and this year is no different, he’s been Scott Parker’s regular LB in the starting XI. His stats back his manager’s choices; 1 goal, 7 assists and 4 MOTM performances has earned Joe Bryan a spot in our XI.

CM – John Swift (Reading FC)

9 – MOTM performances

10 – Assists

5 – Goals

This season has been a hard one for Swift, with Reading currently 14th in the league. Despite this, he is having one of his best seasons in his career – some would say he’s the big reason why Reading aren’t currently in the relegation zone. It will be tough for Reading to keep him at the season end. Statistically, and through the eye test, he comfortably takes his place in the XI, all the more impressive considering his team’s struggles.

CM – Tom Cairney (Fulham FC)

Tom Cairney may be seen as a surprise inclusion. However, with 24 starts and 7 appearances off the bench, every time we have seen him play, he has been a model central midfielder. He assumed a lot of responsibility in the Fulham shirt, constantly looking for the ball, making space for his defenders to pass into, whilst also looking to switch the team into an attacking phase.

He has had 4 MOTM awards, scoring 8 goals as well as grabbing 3 assists this season. Keeping him fit for the rest of the season will be a priority if Fulham are to sustain a challenge for the promotion spots.

CM – Ovie Ejaria (Reading FC)

Another Midfielder from Reading? We can’t help but think that their midfielders are a big reason why they aren’t scrapping in the bottom three. This is definitely Ejaria’s breakthrough season, he has featured in 32 games, scoring 3 goals, and adding 4 assists to his name. Most notably, he has the highest average successful dribbles per match at 3.3 in the league. With a dribble success of 65%, he has been an intelligent box to box midfielder this season, moving into attacking channels whenever he can, he is another player Reading will have to work on keeping this summer.

RW – Pablo Hernandez (Leeds United)

3 – MOTM

6 – Goals

6 – Assists

Hernandez has been a regular and consistent performer for Leeds over the years, and this year this has been no different. A reliable player for Bielsa, and a regular in his starting XI, will this be his year back into the premier league?

ST – Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham FC)

The key to Fulham being promoted this season is keeping Mitrovic fit for the matches ahead, and also feeding him plenty with balls worked into the box. The Serbian is the Division’s top scorer with 23 goals. It’s accurate to say that Mitrovic has played a big part in getting Shahid Khan’s hopes up in getting Fulham promoted.

2 – MOTM 1 – Assists

LW – Eberechi Eze (Queens Park Rangers)

This is the 21 year old’s second season as a regular in the starting XI. He has amassed 12 goals and 8 assists this season and for us at TDR he has been one of the most exciting LW in the championship to see. He regularly reminds us of Watford’s Ismaila Sarr with his quick turn of pace – he has a bright future ahead.

If QPR want a late promotion play off push, they need to keep Eze playing and match fit when the season resumes.