There is a plethora of central midfield talent in the Championship this year.
Danny Drinkwater - Leicester City
With Leicester top of the table with an eight-point gap on second-placed QPR but more importantly 11 points ahead of third-placed Burnley, let's celebrate one of their unsung heroes in Drinkwater. Solid and responsible but also reliable, this young man has grown in stature and is far more than a continuity player who keeps things ticking over. He's been far more effective this season as he has played 20 yards further up the pitch, no doubt helped by the fact his two centre-halves have real pace and are not frightened to condense the play and leave space in behind them. He supplies both wide men, Lloyd Dyer and Anthony Knockaert, switching the play, displaying a great range of passing - short or long, quick or incisive - whilst troubling the scoreboard himself with his powerful right boot. Terrier-like in the tackle, he has matured this season and always seems to make himself available and to give options to whoever is on the ball, in whatever area of the pitch. A very important cog in Leicester's well-oiled machine, he complimented Andy King and unselfishly filled the holes the goal-getting King would leave, but now he has developed a great central-midfield partnership with Matty James, sharing both defensive and attacking responsibilities, and dominating oppositions' midfields.
Andrew Crofts - Brighton & Hove Albion
Crofts had played a starring role for Brighton but unfortunately suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament against Birmingham earlier this month. The tough-tackling, hard-working Crofts had played 24 games, contributing six goals, and was massively important, especially given the striking problems the Seagulls have encountered this term. Crofts influence cannot be underestimated as, for the first quarter of this campaign, Brighton were without holding midfielder Liam Bridcutt, putting extra pressure on Crofts to marshal his team's central area. With Bridcutt back fit now, but subject to much transfer speculation, Albion fans could see their play-off hopes dashed if they have to battle on without their two star midfielders.
Lest we not forget...
- The aforementioned
Liam Bridcutt
- As a pair, good as any,
David Jones and
Dean Marney at Burnley
-
Ben Watson, Wigan's warrior and Cup final hero
-
Will Hughes, Derby's hugely talented playmaker
-
Alex Mowatt, Leeds' own talented and tenacious teen
- QPR's management team are applauding
Joey Barton's impact
Feel free to add shout-outs for your favourites using the comments box below...