The 2020/21 Championship season is done and though empty stadiums meant fans were unable to experience it firsthand, on the pitch there was no shortage of drama.
Late goals, big challenges, shock victories, brilliant strikes, stunning saves, and heated contests – the second tier had it all this term.
There were also some dazzling performers and six of the best have been nominated for the FLW Fans’ Championship Player of the Season award.
Before you cast your vote, we’ve broken down why each player has made the shortlist.
All stats courtesy of Whoscored.
The Goalkeepers
Nominee: Freddie Woodman
Back at the Liberty Stadium for a second-consecutive season, the Newcastle United loanee was brilliant between the sticks as he helped the Swans make it to the play-off final.
Freddie Woodman proved unbeatable at times, making 105 saves and keeping 21 clean sheets as he played an integral part in the third-tightest defence in the Championship in 2021.
The Defenders
Nominees: Adam Masina, Michal Helik
No team in the Championship conceded fewer goals than Watford this season as the Hornets bounced straight back up to the Premier League via automatic promotion.
Having missed the first part of the season due to injury, it was no coincidence that after Adam Masina’s returned his side stepped things up a gear to seize second place.
The left-back made 67 clearances as he helped the Hornets keep clean sheets in 15 of his 25 Championship games.
Barnsley were the Championship’s shock package in 2020/21 and while the likes of Alex Mowatt, Daryl Dike, and Mads Andersen were all key performers, we just couldn’t look past the brilliance of Michal Helik.
The Polish centre-back was outstanding for the Tykes throughout the season, dominating opposition sides in the air and on the ground.
Helik finished the campaign with 106 interceptions, while his aerial presence meant he also found the net five times himself.
The Midfielders
Nominee: Emi Buendia
Emi Buendia proved himself a cut above in the Championship this season, producing dazzling display after dazzling display as he helped Norwich City return to the Premier League in style.
The Argentine playmaker’s quality as both a goalscorer and a creator made him a nightmare for opposition defences.
As well as scoring 15 times, Buendia added 16 assists for the Canaries this season – the most of any player in the Championship.
The Forwards
Nominees: Adam Armstrong, Ivan Toney
Blackburn Rovers’ season may have tailed off but Adam Armstrong’s quality was clear to see.
The forward was lethal in the final third and his 28 goals are made all the more impressive by the fact Rovers finished 15th.
Armstrong proved he’s much more than just a goalscorer, however, linking up with his teammates brilliantly as he made 41 key passes and provided five assists.
It’s hard to believe that 2020/21 was Ivan Toney’s first season at Championship level, such was his dominance throughout the campaign.
Brentford lost both Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma last summer and it’s a testament to their number nine’s brilliance that the Bees won promotion to the Premier League.
He manhandled defences all season, becoming just the second player to score more than 30 times in a Championship campaign and finishing with 33 goals – the most in the division – as well as 10 assists.
Cast your vote for the Player of the Season award now by clicking here.