1) Team of the season: Śląsk Wrocław – They really play football the right way, this when added to their creativity means they often shock their opponents. Everyone knows what team Słąsk will put out but still they have problems with stopping them play. Śląsk, along with GKS Bełchatów, are one of two sides who make the absolute most of what they possess. 2) Player of the season:

Flávio Paixao (Śląsk Wrocław) – He’s the person who makes Śląsk tick. Due to a Lech which is playing well below their potential and a Legia who aren’t really taking the Ekstraklasa seriously, there really can’t be any other choice. The Portuguese player has done an excellent job of replacing his brother and his sudden form means that for the moment he’s the best ‘transfer’ of the season so far.

Flávio Paixao has already scored 11 league goals for Śląsk this season 3) Manager of the season: Kamil Kiereś (GKS Bełchatów) – At one point harshly fired by Bełchatów, when given a second a chance he’s quickly proven that he fits GKS like a glove. The players he possesses do not necessarily have the greatest technical ability but Kiereś manages to get the absolute maximum out of them, he’s brought in young players like Łukasz Wroński and, apart from the match at Lech Poznań, has created a side which can ‘kill’ a match via a sound defence. The only side who scored more than one goal against the newly promoted side was Lech.

Kamil Kiereś’ Bełchatów have been ruthlessly efficient this season

4) Team that’s disappointed the most so far:

Lechia Gdańsk – The only other option would be Lech Poznań but Maciej Skorża hasn’t been there very long, and they also will benefit from the divide of points at the end of the season. Lechia however have made illogical decision after illogical decision which means they’ll be the subject of ridicule for a long time to come.

5) Predictions: Title winners: Legia Warsaw European places: Śląsk Wrocław, Lech Poznań

Relegation: Zawisza Bydgoszcz, Ruch Chorzów

Polish Cup winners: Lech Poznań

David Jankowiak, football analyst, Krótka Piłka

1) Team of the season :

Śląsk Wrocław – In second place so far they play an adventurous style with strong centre-backs, a reliable midfield and promising attacking players with the best left foot in division (Sebastian Mila), apart from Wisła’s Semir Stilić. Imagine if Tadeusz Pawłowski managed a club with the sort of financial resources they have at Legia? ‘Ted’ looks to be the right man in the right place, always attempting to fit all the pieces together to bring the best out of his team. Jagiellonia Białystok, GKS Bełchatów and Górnik Zabrze have also impressed in some matches. Legia are the strongest side in the league, but they clearly do not take the Ekstraklasa seriously, at least for the moment.

2) Player of the season:

Semir Stilić (Wisła Kraków) – Stilić’s arrival has supplied Wisła with an abundance of quality in attacking terms. Their midfield lacks diversity and sometimes cohesion as well, but Stilić is their main attacking outlet, responsible for a huge share of goals. With Łukasz Garguła’s dip in form and no decent wingers, Wisła is reliant on his form and great through passes.

Bosnian Semir Stilić has scored some amazing free-kick goals for Wisła this season

3) Manager of the season:

If only European competition was taken into account, it’d be Berg. Otherwise my call would be Tadeusz Pawłowski (with Kiereś and Smuda close). Pawłowski has managed to deal with Śląsk’s players and forge them into a strong team, while being able to make use of his key men. Heck, even Mateusz Machaj looks like a footballer again. It musn’t be forgotten that he made some good signings (Celeban, Pawełek, even Danielewicz), but Pawłowski has clearly shown his managerial abilities.

Tadeusz Pawłowski’s Śląsk are really playing some decent stuff this season

4) Team that’s disappointed the most this season:

Lechia Gdańska – Pogoń Szczecin and Lech Poznań may lack some quality, but Lechia are a complete and utter mess. This could have been expected to some extent, but they have regressed on a match-to-match basis. They lack motivation and flow and their coach seems to have completely lost the plot. It’s clear however that the board is most at fault for the crisis at the club.

5) Predictions:

Title winners: Legia Warsaw