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Thursday 2 May 2019 16:11, UK
Another entertaining month of the 2018/19 Sky Bet Championship season is behind us and here is the WhoScored.com Championship Team of the Month for April…
Twenty-two-year-old goalkeeper O'Leary has been a real revelation at Ashton Gate this season and his return to the side has helped ensure that the Robins' play-off hopes have survived until now. His penalty save against Millwall was the catalyst for Lee Johnson's side to get the three points required to put pressure on Derby, with the youngster making four more saves than any other player in April (30).
Another youngster to have become an integral player for his side this season, 18-year-old Bogle has played a pivotal role in the Rams' push for a top six finish. The teenager scored the first two goals of his senior career to bookend April, against Brentford and Bristol City, while taking his tally of assists to an impressive seven by laying on goals against both Bolton and Birmingham.
In what was a bust month for Bristol City, Webster was an ever present, starting and finishing all eight matches. The centre-back scored the only goal of the game in a crucial play-off showdown against Middlesbrough and ranked second in the division in April in both interceptions (22) and aerial duels won (60).
A key player in Chris Wilder's system, able to turn defence into attack from his position in a back three, O'Connell was the star of the show as the Blades effectively secured promotion against Ipswich. With a goal and an assist in the 2-0 win, the 25-year-old played his part at both ends, with the team conceding just once across his four appearances in April.
Completing a youthful rearguard this month, 22-year-old Manning played out of his favoured central midfield position at left-back but looked at home for the Hoops. The versatile youngster produced 28 tackles and interceptions combined over his five appearances, while completing nine dribbles and creating six chances at the other end.
Rovers winger Rothwell has had to wait for his chance in the side but certainly staked his claim for a more regular berth in April, scoring his first two goals of the season. The 24-year-old attempted 14 shots, completed 13 dribbles, created nine chances and chipped in with nine tackles across six all-action performances.
Stepping up as the star man for the league leaders over the month, Stiepermann scored in three of six appearances, with all three of said strikes coming at Carrow Road, and all three from outside the box. The German also registered an assist in the draw at home against Reading, creating 16 chances and completing 13 dribbles in April - ranking fourth and third respectively.
Captain fantastic as far as Villa are concerned, since Grealish was handed the armband Villa have surged into the top six, earning a play-off place with room to spare. The playmaker scored crucial goals in victories over Bolton and Rotherham, with the latter a goal of the season contender, not to mention match winner. With a further assist from 13 key passes in five appearances, not to mention winning 24 free-kicks, the 23-year-old is approaching the play-offs in form.
Having not scored all season prior to April, Stevens scored in three of six appearances last month from his role on the left flank. As well as contributing defensively to four clean sheets, producing 15 tackles, the Irishman's attacking contribution helped fire the Blades back to the Premier League.
Playing second fiddle to top scorer Billy Sharp for much of the season, McGoldrick stepped up in the absence of the injured captain last month to help steer Wilder's side to promotion. The Ireland international scored the only goal of the game at Preston, registered an assist against Forest and netted a brace as the Blades picked up all three points at Hull, all while weighing in with a priceless 16 tackles in six appearances from the front.
Back in the groove in front of goal, Jutkiewicz picked up where he left off in March having scored at West Brom with three more goals in April, all of which helped earn much-needed points against Ipswich, Derby and Wigan. The Blues target man attempted 21 shots in total, while winning a typically huge 83 aerial duels in six appearances.
