Revealed: Just two Championship stars in August EFL Team of the Month
To celebrate the fact that we have added English League One and League Two to our extensive statistical coverage, we’ve compiled an EFL Team of the Month for August, including those from the Championship.
This is not a comparison between the leagues - in which the degree of quality obviously differs - but recognition of those that have performed best within and relative to their respective divisions. As such, five League Two players have made the cut, four from League One and just two from England’s second tier.
GK: Alex Palmer (Plymouth) - 7.77 rating
West Brom loanee Palmer enjoyed a dream debut for the Pilgrims, earning a perfect 10 rating at Crewe courtesy of a clean sheet and nine saves. He produced a whopping 31 saves in total over August, adding a further two clean sheets to his name.
RB: Josh Hare (Bristol Rovers) - 7.26 rating
Breaking into the team following an injury to Mark Little, Hare has certainly staked a strong claim to keep hold of the right-back berth. The 25-year-old registered assists in victories over Tranmere and Oxford whilst completing 12 tackles and seven dribbles in just four starts.
CB: Ben Richards-Everton (Bradford) - 7.82 rating
A summer signing from League One Accrington, centre-back Richards-Everton has been a colossus at the back since joining Bradford. The 27-year-old ranked among the top three players in League Two for both clearances (56) and aerial duels won (55) over August, helping the Bantams keep three clean sheets.
CB: Aaron Martin (Exeter) - 7.53 rating
The sole representative from League Two leaders Exeter, Martin played a pivotal part in the team conceding just three goals in their opening six matches. The 29-year-old won 30 aerial duels and blocked eight shots to keep the likes of Macclesfield, Oldham and Mansfield at bay.
LB: Joe Jacobson (Wycombe) - 7.51 rating
Now 32, Jacobson remains a key outlet to the Chairboys from left-back and created the most chances in League One last month (20). The full-back also scored from the spot in a five-goal thriller against MK Dons and helped ensure Wycombe went unbeaten over their six league games in August.
RM: Pablo Hernandez (Leeds) - 7.56 rating
A regular fixture in any Championship best XI since the start of last season, Hernandez continues to sparkle in white at the age of 34. The Spaniard has two goals and two assists to his name after six appearances, ranking seventh for shots (19) and third for key passes (16) in England’s second tier.
CM: Marcus Maddison (Peterborough) - 7.67 rating
Pinpointed as one of the top talents in the country outside of the top two leagues for some time now, Maddison has only bolstered that reputation this season. The Posh playmaker already has a League One high of five assists to his name, along with three goals, meaning he has had a direct hand in more than any other player in the EFL.
CM: Callum Camps (Rochdale) - 7.69 rating
It’s been a blistering start to the campaign from 23-year-old Camps, who has two goals - as well as a brace in the cup - and three assists to his name in the league already. The Dale star has started in both midfield and up front so far but still managed to chip in with 12 tackles.
LM: Ivan Cavaleiro (Fulham) - 7.67 rating
When relegated Fulham completed the loan signing of Ivan Cavaleiro from Wolves it was a significant statement as to the club’s intent to bounce back at the first time of asking. The Portuguese played a big role in his parent club’s title winning 2017/18 campaign and has hit the ground running back in the Championship, scoring three times, registering two assists and completing the most dribbles in the league (16).
FW: James Hanson (Grimsby) - 8.89 rating
The style of play from which Hanson flourishes may not be the prettiest but boy has it been effective in League Two so far. The summer signing from AFC Wimbledon already has as many goals to his name this season as last, with five, as well as two assists, winning an astonishing 111 of 165 aerial duels after just six matches.
FW: Danny Rose (Mansfield) - 7.97 rating
It was a scintillating start to 2019/20 for Rose, who scored in each of his opening four matches of the League Two season, notching five times in total and registering an assist over six appearances. The 25-year-old has had a direct hand in 75 per cent of Mansfield’s goals as a result, whilst winning 76 aerial duels.
