It’s been a phenomenal first few months of the Championship season and though some sides have started better than others, the division looks as entertaining and competitive as ever.
September and October were action-packed months in the second tier of English football and there have been some stellar individual performances across that period.
But who deserves to be named the GMS Fans’ Player of the Month for October and September? We’ve broken down their exploits to give you all the information you need before you cast your vote…
Adam Armstrong – Blackburn Rovers
Armstrong had his best season in a Blackburn shirt last term, grabbing 17 goals, but he has looked even better in the 2020/21 campaign.
No side has scored more goals than Rovers this season and the 23-year-old has been their main man, finding the net nine times and adding one assist in the Championship in September and October.
Armstrong’s pace and movement in the final third has been too much for opposing defences to handle through the first two months of the season, while his ruthlessness in front of goal has helped him become the Championship’s top scorer.
Asmir Begovic – Bournemouth
The Cherries have one of the best defensive records in the Championship this season and that’s down in no small part to Begovic’s performances.
The experienced shot-stopper conceded just five goals and kept three clean sheets in his eight league appearances in September and October, with not just the saves he’s made but the commanding presence he’s provided behind the defensive line proving key to Bournemouth’s success.
Jason Tindall’s men will be hoping to bounce straight back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking and if Begovic can keep up the form he’s shown through the first few months of the season it will give their promotion hopes a huge boost.
Jake Cooper – Millwall
Modern, ball-playing centre-backs are so often the ones that get the plaudits but while Cooper is certainly no slouch in possession, it has been his defensive work and the threat he poses in both boxes that have caused him to turn heads this term.
The towering central defender has been ever-present in Millwall’s defensive line, so often neutralising opposition attacks and helping his side concede just eight goals so far this season.
Week after week, Cooper has dominated opponents in the air – winning 56 aerial duels and adding a goal against Barnsley – and making Gary Rowett’s men a tough proposition for whoever they face.
Lucas Joao – Reading
The towering forward’s debut season with the Royals was hampered by injury but back fit and firing, Joao has been integral to his side’s success this term.
Under new boss Veljko Paunović, Reading have climbed to the top of the Championship and the striker’s form in front of goal and interplay with teammates have been key to their fast start.
His power, pace, and finishing have helped him grab six goals and three assists in the division through the first two months of the season – a hugely impressive haul.
Bradley Johnson – Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn’s all-action midfielder has made a superb start to the season, dominating the midfield and helping his side to score more goals than any other side in the division.
The 33-year-old has a huge amount of Championship experience but he’s playing like a man at the peak of his powers right now, which will be
As well as adding three goals himself, all of them super long-range efforts, Johnson made 51 interceptions and won 24 aerial duels in his seven appearances in September and October
Ivan Toney – Brentford
The 24-year-old had been touted as one of the top EFL players outside the Championship before arriving at Brentford and he did not disappoint in his first two months in the division, scoring nine times and in his first nine appearances.
The Bees haven’t quite reached the levels that saw them reach the play-off final last season but Toney’s performances have gone a long way in helping fans forget about the summer departures of Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma.
A prolific goalscorer that offers physicality and athleticism in the final third, the former Peterborough United striker always looked perfectly suited for the Championship and he’s proved it so far.