Friday 17 April 2020 09:57, UK
With five games played already, the Sky Bet Championship is certainly in full swing.
Cardiff have been the surprise pace-setters after a flawless start to the campaign. while things haven't started so brightly for newly-promoted Bolton and Brentford, who are winless thus far at the foot of the table. But with the season very much in its infancy, all can and inevitably will change before long.
For now, however, WhoScored.com look back to the star performers from August, with no real surprises as to the side with the most representatives in the team of the month...
Ipswich were among those tipped for a relegation battle by many this season but the Tractor Boys are flying high. Polish shot stopper Bialkowski has played a significant role in their early-season success, keeping two clean sheets and producing more saves (25) than any other keeper for a WhoScored.com rating of 7.48.
The first of five summer signings in the highest rated XI, Chelsea loanee Aina has enjoyed an excellent start to life at the KCOM Stadium. The 20-year-old has impressed at both ends for Hull thus far, registering an assist as well as averaging two successful dribbles per game, while racking up 17 tackles last month to earn a rating of 7.54.
The only Tigers player with a better rating (7.61) than Aina, Hector is already proving to be another shrewd addition, again arriving on loan from the Premier League champions during the summer. The 25-year-old has certainly been kept busy, with 20 tackles the most of any centre-back in the league, while he also leads Hull in interceptions (12) and passes per game (64.8).
His relationship with Neil Warnock may have reached boiling point last season but Bamba's displays will have delighted the Bluebirds' boss last month. The Ivorian completed the third most clearances (53), won over 75% of the 37 aerial duels he competed and capped off a fine August with a winning goal against QPR to secure the highest WhoScored.com rating (8.06) in the Championship.
It's been a decent if unspectacular start for mid-table Bristol City, but while Bobby Reid has taken the headlines for his goals, left-back Bryan has shone at the opposite end of the pitch. That's not to say the versatile 23-year-old hasn't been an outlet going forwards, with 1.6 dribbles per game, but it's his dogged defensive work that has caught the eye, making the most tackles in the league (24) to earn a rating of 7.86.
The highest-rated summer signing thus far (7.94), and second to only team-mate Bamba in the entire league, Cardiff's capture of Mendez-Laing is already looking like a masterstroke. Arriving from Rochdale on a free transfer, The 25-year-old has scored some memorable goals already to share the lead in the Championship, with four, while completing 2.4 dribbles per game and proving to be a nightmare for opposition full-backs.
Returning to Millwall permanently this summer having spent the first half of the 2015/16 season at The Den on loan from Wolves, Saville has instantly become a fan favourite once more. The 24-year-old has scored twice from the middle of the park, but has been particularly effective at breaking up play with a superb four tackles per game, securing a WhoScored.com rating of 7.64.
The third representative for the table toppers in August's team of the month, Ralls has weighed in with a goal and an assist from what has been a strong all-round contribution in midfield. The 23-year-old completed all eight of the dribbles he attempted last month, while creating 12 chances to rank among the top-six players in the Championship and earn a rating of 7.78.
With two goals and three assists in five appearances, no player had a direct hand in more goals in August than Hoilett, who, at 27, is finally beginning to live up to his early promise. The Canadian international has already matched his goal tally from his first season in Wales and looks to have regained his confidence, firing off three shots per game for a rating of 7.88.
It's been a relatively frustrating start to the season for Zohore, but that's not to say he hasn't played a key role in Cardiff's faultless campaign so far. The 23-year-old really came to prominence in the second half of last season and picked up where he left off with the winner against Burton. He's not scored since but has registered two assists, attempted the most shots (25) and had the most efforts on target (11).
Following their arrivals from Rangers this summer, Joe Garner has had a fantastic start to his Ipswich career alongside Martyn Waghorn. The latter may have scored more goals (four to three), but Garner also has an assist to his name and has been an invaluable focal point to Mick McCarthy's side, winning 6.2 aerial duels per game and drawing 4.2 fouls per game to earn a WhoScored.com rating of 7.66.
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