Maupay shines but Middlesbrough dominate Championship team of the month

Brentford hitman Neal Maupay is the WhoScored.com Championship player of the month for August, securing a rating of 8.25 over four league appearances last month.

The Frenchman was in red hot form in front of goal but also a hugely effective link man in attack for the free-scoring Bees.

Maupay had a direct hand in eight goals for his side and shares the lead in the entire division for both goals (five) and assists (three), having also hit the target with nine of his 13 shots thus far.

The 22-year-old may have ended the month with a suspension for a mindless and unnecessary stamp on Aston Villa’s John McGinn but aside from that moment of madness was the Championship’s star man in August.

He is joined up front in the team of the month by Bolton striker Josh Magennis, who has hit the ground running following a summer transfer from Charlton.

With three goals in five appearances and a massive 13.8 aerial duels won per game, his hold up play could prove vital to Wanderers this season, and the Northern Ireland international earned the second highest rating (8.00) to Maupay last month.

Middlesbrough’s Ryan Shotton completes the top three in the ratings (7.79) having played a crucial role in an excellent rearguard action from Tony Pulis’ side thus far. After a 2-2 draw with Millwall in their season opener Boro have kept five consecutive clean sheets in the league, so it’s no wonder the right-back is joined by the likes of keeper Darren Randolph (7.17) and left-back George Friend (7.33) in the team of the month.

Blackburn Rovers’ centre-back pairing of Charlie Mulgrew (7.52) and Darragh Lenihan (7.46) complete the back four as the promoted side went unbeaten in August, keeping three clean sheets in five matches.

The midfield is comprised of players from four different clubs, starting with league leaders Leeds, who have enjoyed a renaissance under the tutelage of esteemed coach Marcelo Bielsa. The new manager has the Whites playing free-flowing, attacking football, and experienced winger Pablo Hernandez (7.73) has been in his element, scoring three times and registering two assists.

Wigan’s Nick Powell (7.70) can go one better, with three goals and three assists and is joined in the heart of the midfield by Millwall workhorse Shaun Williams (7.70), who put in a match winning display against Derby and has weighed in with 2.8 tackles and 2.3 key passes per game.

The XI is completed by Martin Braithwaite (7.48), who makes up a four strong representation from Boro. Fans will be delighted that the Denmark international has stayed at the club having scored three goals in August, but less so given that he expressed a desire to leave on deadline day.