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Surprise Newcastle player included in this pundit’s Championship team of the year

7 years ago
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The Official EFL Championship team of the year was chosen in March.

The same with the PFA best eleven that was announced, the players having to decide long before the end of the season, who are the top performers.

Pundit Adam Virgo questions why this is the case, telling The Football League Paper:

“Why do they choose the EFL team of the year in March?

“Someone could score ten goals between now (then) and the end of the season – it’s ridiculous.”

When you think of the twists and turns just in those final three games of the season when Newcastle came back to win the title ahead of Brighton, it simply underlines how daft it is to make decisions so early.

In April alone, Newcastle played seven games, and Rafa Benitez said throughout the season that nothing would be decided (in the Championship) until that month.

Adam Virgo is a former Brighton player, having had two spells at the club, and has picked three players from his former employers in his own Championship team of the year.

There were also two from Leeds, one each from Huddersfield, Fulham and Villa, plus three from Newcastle – including one surprise choice…

The Adam Virgo Championship team of the year in The Football League Paper:

David Stockdale (Brighton)

Tommy Smith (Huddersfield)

Lewis Dunk (Brighton)

Pontus Jansson (Leeds)

Paul Dummett (Newcastle United)

Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa)

Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle United)

Tom Cairney (Fulham)

Anthony Knockaert (Brighton)

Chris Wood (Leeds)

Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United)

Nice to see Paul Dummett getting recognition as well as Shelvey and Gayle.

The Geordie full-back gave a committed performance throughout the year and started more Championship matches (44) than any other Newcastle player (Jamaal Lascelles next highest with 41).

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