The 2017-18 Championship season is 8 games old and the early promotion contenders are making their mark. Leeds United are top the league whilst Cardiff City started the season half a dozen games undefeated.
888sport made Middlesbrough pre-season favourites, however they have made an inconsistent start to the new season, whilst Aston Villa, Norwich City and Fulham are all in the bottom half. Sheffield Wednesday are a top six team and Nottingham Forest could cause a few surprises this season.
Here’s a look at some of the top performers so far:
- Britt Assombalonga (Middlesbrough)
Signed to score goals for Middlesbrough this season, Britt Assombalonga has opened the season with four goals in seven games since joining from Nottingham Forest. The striker has been supplied by AdamaTraore down the right wing which could form a key partnership for Gary Monk’s side this season.
Although ‘Boro have not found any consistency in their opening games under their new manager, Assombalonga looks capable of helping his boss and his side out to get on a winning streak.
- Barrie McKay (Nottingham Forest)
Despite losing their star striker over the summer, Mark Warburton has built a good squad over the summer for a Nottingham Forest side that only avoided relegation on the final day of last season. One of those acquisitions has been Barrie McKay from Rangers. The Scotland international has started with a league high four assists, and two goals, in his opening seven games.
Darryl Murphy pushes his teammate close to being one of the division’s top stars in the opening two months. The former-Newcastle United attacker has four goals in six starts.
- Jarrod Bowen (Hull City)
20-year-old Jarrod Bowen has taken to the Championship like a house on fire after being given a regular role in Leonid Slutski’s first team. The winger made a couple of appearances in the Premier League last season after being with the club for three years.
Bowen has surprised many with five goals in his opening eight games which includes goals with his head and talented left foot. There have been lots of ins and outs at the KC Stadium over the summer but the Tigers could be in promotion contention if their two wingers keep up their good start – Bowen and KamilGrosicki.
- Sol Bamba (Cardiff City)
Cardiff City have made an excellent start to the season under Neil Warnock having not been among the pre-season promotion favourites. In the heart of their defence is the experienced Sol Bamba who has been a rock in helping his side to three clean sheets.
Sean Morrison has been a good partner to Bamba whilst Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is surprising many in attack.
- Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United)
Leeds United have gone from strength to strength since the sale of last season’s Championship top scorer, Chris Wood. The Yorkshire club went top of the division midweek with a 2-0 win over Birmingham City matched by Cardiff City’s 3-0 loss at Preston North End.
Thomas Christiansen has found goalscorers all over the pitch and 21-year-old Kalvin Phillips has three to his name already despite being a holding midfielder. The youngster is helping his team win and maintain possession and with the likes of Pierre-Michel Lasogga, Samuel Saiz and KemarRoofe scoring goals, the club shouldn’t need to be reliant on Phillips’ contribution going forward.
