EFL Matchday 14 yet again featured some blockbuster games, last minute winners, shock results and stunning goals. Here’s our pick of the best 11 players and the manager for the latest Team of the Week:
GOALKEEPER
Max O’Leary: Bristol City v Brentford
The Bristol City stopper was making his debut for the Robins at Griffin Park and was influential in his side claiming all three points for a vital win in the capital. The BCFC Academy Graduate made a string of impressive saves to deny Brentford taking anything from this encounter.
DEFENCE
Kyle McFadzean: Plymouth Argyle v Burton Albion
In an end to end game at Home Park, it was Nigel Clough’s men who eventually took all three points to claim their first away win of the campaign, thanks to a brace from centre half Kyle McFadzean. His header in the 84thminute, after his earlier goal had put them ahead, secured the win for the Brewers.
Tim Klose: Nottingham Forest v Norwich City
Canaries were flying high on Saturday night after another of this weekend’s stand out centre backs, Tim Klose, was in superb form at the heart of the Norwich defence. His early header brought them level midway through the second half and he steered home a late winner for Norwich with six minutes to go.
Reece James: Wigan Athletic v West Bromwich Albion
This performance had Latics fans purring. The loanee from Chelsea has looked every bit a star of the future and the local paper said it was a ‘regulation display from the early contender for player of the year’. He didn’t put a foot wrong against an Albion side who couldn’t get past a stern Wigan defence and went away empty handed for the first time in seven games.
Harlee Dean: Stoke City v Birmingham City
Dean’s performance at the heart of the Blues’ defence at Stoke on Saturday was crucial to earning his side three points. The 27 year old was arguably the best player on the park as he and his resolute defensive companions kept out Stoke’s late efforts and saw City move up to 14th.
MIDFIELD
Sean McConville: Peterborough United v Accrington Stanley
The midfield maestro was influential for Stanley in the middle of the park. The win marked a year since the last time they lost after scoring first. McConville’s early strike saw Accrington move up to fourth in league one.
Nicky Adams: Bury v Notts County
The Shakers were in supreme form on Saturday as they hammered Notts County 4-0 at Gigg Lane. The pick of the pack was Nicky Adams who was integral in securing the three points and he put the icing on the cake late on, curling a beauty in to the top corner.
Fred Onyedinma: Wycombe Wanderers v Scunthorpe United
This belter of a goal was ‘Sky Bet League One’s goal of the weekend’ in arguably the game of the weekend at Adams Park. Onyedinma’s second half strike pulled everything level after his side were 2-0 down after 7 minutes and he was integral to Wycombe’s fightback as they grabbed all three points with a stoppage time winner.
FORWARDS
Adam Armstrong: Blackburn Rovers v Leeds Utd
A constant menace for the Leeds defence throughout, Armstrong had to be in the team of the week for his trickery alone, in a brilliant attacking display by Rovers. The Geordie forward was a thorn in Leeds’ defence – a display that has earnt him lots of praise over social media from Rovers fans this weekend.
Jordan Bowery – Stevenage Town v Crewe Alexandra
An impressive Crewe victory at Stevenage saw the Railway Men leave Broadhall Way with maximum points and claim their first away win of the season. It was in part due to the wonder goal by Jordan Bowery who won this week’s Sky Bet League Two Goal of the Weekend with the solo strike.
Jack Marriott – Derby County v Sheffield United
A goal and an assist in a dominant display was crucial to ensuring Derby knocked Sheffield United of the top of the pile in the Sky Bet Championship. Lampard’s January signing has been in and out the side but his second goal in as many games was superb and important, as it moved his side up to 5thin the table.
MANAGER
Frank Lampard: Derby County 2 – 1 Sheffield United
Hard to pick from so many big wins across the weekend. But it was a superb team performance from the Rams who blunted the Blades’ blockbuster start to the season. Lampard deserves credit for once again picking the influential Jack Marriott after a slow start to his season. Derby threatened regularly throughout the 90 minutes and were fully deserving of the three points as they continued their good run of just one defeat in six.
