Once again proving age is merely a number, the 35-year-old has proved he’s a cut above in the third tier. Wise because Ndiaye is destined for big things. United fans have this season adopted a stance of ‘Enjoy him while we can’. Today, he’s played at the World Cup for Senegal and been the attacking talisman on which a promotion campaign has been built. As recently as March 2022, he couldn’t make the matchday 18 at Sheffield United. And centre-backs don’t get enough credit. Eight goals from centre-back and has led by example in their promotion campaign. The Stevenage captain arrived on a free transfer last summer and has been immense. □ Well done – shortlisted for the Player of the Season! #BristolRovers /aCJf5HgSWr He won’t be in the third tier much longer. Sixteen goals and 11 assists for a bottom-half team in Bristol Rovers. Captaincy has brought a different level from him. A Premier League player who could have gone last summer but has stayed loyal and been outstanding. Player of the season?Ĭhisnall: Championship: Josh Brownhill. He’s instilled resilience in the squad, too, with plenty of late goals scored and the fact they didn’t lose two consecutive league games all season. He’s led Plymouth to promotion ahead of sides with much greater resources, playing a good brand of football. All after a horribly short spell at their fiercest rivals Watford. This time, Edwards was appointed and has arguably made them better, more stable and potentially a Premier League team. When Luton lost Nathan Jones the first time around, they completely lost their way. The other name I’d throw in is Rob Edwards. Schumacher at Plymouth is my favourite story of the season. Michael Bailey: Robins getting Coventry to this point after so long at the helm is remarkable. A mention to Michael Duff, too, who went to a far-from-stable Barnsley, steadied the ship and they have flourished. Bounced back from last season’s heartbreak of missing out on the play-offs to taking on Ipswich and Wednesday - and coming out on top - has been impressive. Scoring more than 60 open play goals from an expected goals rate of around 40 is extremely impressive, though transferring that to the Championship might be difficult.Īndy Jones: To avoid the accusation of bias, Kompany is second to Schumacher. But the way Argyle have rebounded this season suggests he’s a very special coach indeed. When Plymouth lost 5-0 on the final day of last season to drop out of the top six, it looked very much like it might be another case of an over-promoted EFL assistant manager. The was a club on a financial cliff edge, but Heckingbottom inspired that all-important promotion at a canter.ĭuncan Alexander: Another vote for Schumacher here. Vincent Kompany has made more headlines in the Championship, but I’d argue it was Sheffield United finishing runners-up that was the greater achievement. Crowned champions long before the end of the season, the final day will make it 199 days at the top of the league for Leyton Orient. It takes some doing to transform a team that was looking over its shoulder at the relegation zone in March last year to one that has walked to the League Two title. The job was completed on Thursday and the 74-year-old’s impact has been huge. Brought hope where there was previously only despair at Huddersfield Town, who looked down and out when he answered an SOS from owner Dean Hoyle to come out of retirement in mid-February. Honourable mentions for Sheffield United’s Paul Heckingbottom and Leyton Orient’s Richie Wellens for their promotions. The Plymouth Argyle manager has clinched League One promotion in front of Sheffield Wednesday and alongside Ipswich Town, both big spenders, and with an attractive style, too. It has been a blast - though maybe not for the managers, with 46 changes among the 72 - so now is the time for The Athletic’s EFL ‘experts’ to hand out their awards for the season.Ĭraig Chisnall: Steven Schumacher.
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