Championship roundup: Team, player, youngster and surprise package of the season so far

At the halfway point in the Championship campaign, we review the season so far as Leeds top the tree heading into the Boxing Day fixtures.

When Marcelo Bielsa took the reins in the summer the consensus was that it could go terribly wrong or incredibly well, but entertainment was assured. Well, the latter has certainly been the case, with the Whites playing some scintillating stuff at times, and the results have surpassed what any of the fans could have hoped for.

A comeback win at Aston Villa ensured that Leeds would be Christmas number one, and it’s little more than they deserve having recovered from a minor blip to win each of their last six matches. They, unsurprisingly, are the highest rated team in the division at the midway stage (6.87).

Player of the season so far - Lukas Jutkiewicz (Birmingham)

In a career that has had it’s highs and lows, this is surely Jutkiewicz’s strongest season to date, leading from the front in every way to inspire a play-off bid for the Blues. The target man has ten league goals to his name and a further six assists having combined superbly with strike partner Che Adams this season. He’s been the perfect foyle for the latter’s strength and pace this season, setting up Adams on three occasions, and his aerial prowess is unrivalled in the division, winning a massive 12.3 aerial duels per game for a direct side that rely on his hold up play above all else.

2nd - Pablo Hernandez (Leeds), 3rd - Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United)

Young player of the season so far - Tammy Abraham (Aston Villa)

It may have taken until deadline day for Aston Villa to finally get their man but without him the club’s hopes of a top-six finish this season would be all but lost. The 21-year-old has picked up where he left off as far as the Championship is concerned and is well on course to usurp the 23 goals he scored on loan at Bristol City in the division in 2016/17. The Chelsea loanee has 13 to his name in just 17 appearances in the claret and blue and his willing running and hold up play from the front will ensure Dean Smith’s side will fight to the end of the campaign, aiming to at least emulate last season’s play-off finish.

2nd - Harvey Barnes (West Brom), 3rd - Emi Buendia (Norwich)

Signing of the season so far - Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United)

Having helped both Brighton and Fulham to promotion from the Championship in back-to-back seasons, Chris Wilder was no doubt hoping Norwood could do the same for his club. The Blades are certainly in the mix - occupying the final play-off spot as things stand - and Norwood is instrumental to the team’s style of play. The Northern Ireland international was made to wait for his chance but has started 20 league games on the spin and ranks first in the league by a distance for passes per game (75.1) as well as key passes in total (58). His defensive work rate has also been superb, placing ninth for interpeptions (41) and 20th for tackles (47) in the entire division.

2nd - Kristian Pedersen (Birmingham), 3rd - Tammy Abraham (Aston Villa)

Surprise package - Norwich

They may have been pipped to top spot at this point by Leeds but the fact that Norwich are even in touching distance, let alone comfortable in second, is a huge achievement. Having been somewhat underwhelming in Daniel Farke’s first season at the club, the Canaries have been repaid for keeping faith in the German with a fantastic season to date. The coach has managed to build an entirely new team of signings, primarily from his homeland, and academy graduates that simply don’t know when they are beaten. Their knack for scoring late winners and never say die attitude ensure Norwich have a 5-point gap to West Brom in third.

2nd - Queens Park Rangers, 3rd - Birmingham

Underachievers - Stoke

It may seem strange timing given that the Potters have improved considerably of late and find themselves on a 10-game unbeaten streak but before the season began the relegated side were favourites for the title for a reason. Their summer business both in terms of recruitment and, pertinently, holding onto key players like Jack Butland and Joe Allen was seen as a huge success but they sit just ninth having won just four of their opening 13 league games prior to their impressive run of late. Well poised for a play-off finish, the Stoke fans would have hoped for significantly more than that.

2nd - Aston Villa, 3rd - Brentford