By Charlie Elliott
The EFL season is reaching its critical point, with 70 of the 72 clubs from the three leagues having six or fewer games left to play.
Joy Division will be played by Sheffield United and Burnley fans as ‘Leeds are falling apart again’ following a 1-1 away draw to strugglers Luton Town that saw them drop out of the Championship automatic promotion places and into third.
Birmingham City have effectively wrapped up the League One title with a comfortable 6-2 win against Barnsley, as they are nine points clear at the top and have two games in hand on second-placed Wrexham.
Walsall have finally bottled their title challenge after a 3-2 home loss to rivals Port Vale, who now go above them but sit in second on goal difference behind Bradford City.
Here is Charlie Elliott’s Team of the Week, featuring the star performers from a dramatic weekend.
Wyll Stanway (Barrow AFC)
Goalkeeper Wyll Stanway’s story needs to be talked about more.
From playing as an outfield player until he was 19 in step seven of non-league football, to four years later playing in the EFL, it has been an incredible rise.
Barrow won 3-0 away at MK Dons in an outstanding performance, but it was largely down to the heroics of the keeper.
He made seven saves across the 90 minutes, including six from inside the box.
He is highly dependable in goal, and at just 23 years old, his future looks promising.
Miguel Freckleton (Swindon Town)
Swindon Town got a comfortable win away at Highbury, beating Fleetwood Town 4-0.
Fullback Miguel Freckleton was the star of the show, with a mix of defensive and attacking abilities shown across the whole game.
Solid across all aspects of his game, he rounded off his performance with a poachers finish from about a yard out.
A good day at the office and he will be hoping to kick on from this game.
Charlie Hughes (Hull City)
Hull City’s strong defence secured their 1-0 victory against Sheffield Wednesday, as centre-back Charlie Hughes scored the only goal of the match in the dying moments while also maintaining a clean sheet.
A powerful header from about 10 yards out went right into the top corner following a free kick into the box, sending the travelling Tigers fans into raptures.
Absolute limbs and he deserves to be in this team for that reason alone.
Now three points outside of the relegation zone, it could be a pivotal victory for the East Riding of Yorkshire side.
Hakeem Odoffin (Rotherham United)
Rotherham United put all of their recent woes aside to clinch a 2-1 victory against Blackpool, which the Tangerines fans may not have expected them to achieve going into the match.
Hakeem Odoffin opened the scoring with a simple header from close range, but his real work came from the leadership he showed to marshal his defence and get them over the line.
The centre of the back three needed to just clean up the pieces, which is exactly what he did to a great level.
Denver Hume (Grimsby Town)
Grimsby Town sauntered to a 3-1 win at home against Morecambe, which keeps them just within reach of the playoffs in League Two.
Fullback Denver Hume got two assists in what was a great show of his playmaking attributes.
His first assist was a lovely corner, which Kieran Green headed home, while his second came courtesy of a nice run inside and square pass that Luca Barrington smashed home from outside the box.
Overall, he created seven chances and was a key component of a dominant Mariners display.
Ryan Hardie (Plymouth Argyle)
Plymouth Argyle couldn’t, could they?
The Greens are still at the foot of the Championship, but after a 2-1 victory against Norwich City, they sit only four points from safety.
The Scottish forward Ryan Hardie bagged a crucial double in the must-win game, which just about leaves them with a bit of hope.
So often the talisman for Plymouth which he showed yet again.
A neat finish to open the scoring, as Hardie controlled a looped-through ball before composing himself and slotting it past the keeper.
Just minutes later, he doubled the lead with another cool finish, this time curling into the far post after the ball fell kindly for him.
Kieran Green (Grimsby Town)
The second Grimsby player to make it in, Green scored a brace from midfield in their win.
Both of his goals were typical finishes for a midfielder, arriving in the box to convert a cross.
He opened the scoring with a header from a corner before finishing off a sweet delivery to keep the points at Blundell Park.
Great defensively as well; it was an ideal afternoon for the Green.
Mihailo Ivanovic (Millwall)
Millwall saw off Portsmouth 2-1 to keep their playoff hopes alive, with the young forward Mihailo Ivanovic scoring two headers.
The Serbian is now up to nine goals in all competitions this season, certainly not a bad tally for a 20-year-old in his first season in England.
Both of his goals were headers, one from a corner and one from a recycled cross after a corner, which shows a varied side to his game that isn’t solely about technical ability.
Ivanovic had an effective game where he made the most of the few opportunities he was given.
Jaidon Anthony (Burnley)
Burnley winger Jaidon Anthony is way too good for the Championship and is one of the main reasons why Burnley are now top of the league after their 2-1 win away at Coventry City.
Another attacker in this team who scored a double, the 25-year-old’s was arguably the most important of the weekend.
He was handed both on a plate, with his first only requiring him to finish into an open net from the edge of the six-yard box.
While a mix-up between a Coventry defender and the goalkeeper allowed him to capitalise and finish into another open net, this time from outside the box.
Some great dribbling was also shown throughout, with the most completed dribbles for either team across the 90 minutes.
Advantage Burnley.
Alfie May (Birmingham City)
Birmingham’s Alfie May played a starring role in Blues’ rampant victory over Barnsley.
Not only did he score two goals, but he also provided a couple of assists – all while coming off the bench.
It is well known that May is too talented for League One, as is the rest of the Birmingham squad.
They showcased their title credentials with an impressive 6-2 home win over the Tykes.
Achieving four goal involvements in a single game is remarkable, especially for a substitute.
Both of his goals resulted from his ability to find space in the box and finish effectively – key traits for any striker.
His two assists further demonstrate why he is so highly regarded; they highlighted his capacity to lead the line and deliver the right pass at the right moment.
Lorent Tolaj (Port Vale)
Look up the word ‘Lorent Tolaj’ in the dictionary and one word will come up, ‘Baller’.
The Swiss striker was unbelievable yet again for Port Vale, who are now up to second in League Two after a massive 3-2 win away at rivals Walsall.
Not only was it a geographically significant rivalry, but the table ramifications were huge, with Vale leapfrogging their Black Country neighbours.
Two goals and an assist for Tolaj silenced the Bescot Stadium and comfortably put him in this team.
Walsall may have taken the lead after only 12 seconds, but a Tolaj bicycle kick following a long throw-in quickly settled the nerves for Vale.
An assist for the equaliser to make it 2-2 followed, and a coolly slotted penalty right at the end of the first half proved to be the winner.
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