Adam Davies (GK – Barnsley)
The 26-year-old is closing in on his 200th appearance for the Tykes since joining from Sheffield Wednesday in 2014. He quickly established himself as No.1, helping the club win promotion to the Championship in 2015/16 and earning himself a call-up from Wales that summer. Davies, who was named Barnsley captain at the start of this season, has been a model of consistency in one of League One’s best defences.
Dimitri Cavare (RB – Barnsley)
Barnsley’s dynamic French right-back was signed from Rennes during the summer of 2017 after injury had held back a burgeoning career. This season he has really come to the fore, starting in August when he was nominated for the League One Player of the Month award, after his attacking prowess served up four assists and a stunning goal against Scunthorpe.
Ethan Pinnock (CB – Barnsley)
The 25-year-old Londoner has made a massive impression since his switch north after helping Forest Green into the EFL in 2016/17. He established himself at the heart of the Tykes defence this season playing in all league games at the time of writing. Commanding in the air, he is also is a superb distributor in the mould of former Oakwell aces John Stones and Alfie Mawson.
Matthew Clarke (CB – Portsmouth)
The rock at the heart of the defence who helped Portsmouth roar out of the blocks and move six points clear at the top by early December. He racked up his 150th appearance for Pompey in January and is one of the fiercest competitors in League One. By the middle of March he had played in all Portsmouth’s 38 games. Pompey’s Player of the Year last season is favourite to win the award again despite being only 22 years old.
James Justin (LB – Luton Town)
The 21-year-old homegrown Hatters product has caught the eye with his all-action style and looks destined for a very bright future. At the time of writing he was on course for 50 appearances in all competitions this season and has been a model of consistency. He has already been recognised with a debut for the England Under-20s against Holland in 2017. His composure and attacking intent have already attracted interest from Premier League and Championship scouts.
Jamal Lowe (MF – Portsmouth)
The 24-year-old has brought genuine excitement to the League One campaign with his pace and ability on the ball. After beginning his career at Barnet he spent time in non-league before getting his big chance with Pompey in January 2017, immediately helping them gain promotion to League One. By the end of March he had 12 league goals and scored with a spectacular lob as Pompey lifted the EFL Trophy at Wembley.
Alex Mowatt (MF – Barnsley)
The 24-year-old product of the Leeds United Academy has been a driving force for the Tykes in their promotion quest. He spent the end of last season on loan at Oxford but has flourished since his return to Oakwell under Daniel Stendel. The technically gifted left-footer is noted for his boundless energy and has also chipped in with some vital goals.
Aiden McGeady (MF – Sunderland)
The much-travelled 33-year-old Glaswegian has played a prominent role in the Blacks Cat’s push to get back to the Championship at the first attempt. The creative midfielder was nominated for the November Player of the Month award and went one better by winning the prize in February. At the time of writing he has scored 10 goals and assisted f ve others with his skill and eye for an opening.
James Collins (FW – Luton Town)
The 28-year-old has been a prolific scorer in the EFL and has made rapid strides at Kenilworth Road since joining from Crawley in 2017. He scored 19 goals last term to power the Hatters to promotion from League Two and he has just kicked on this season, becoming the first player in League One to reach the much-revered 20-goal mark. He peaked during 11 games at the turn of the year, scoring 12 goals.
John Marquis (FW – Doncaster Rovers)
The career of the 26-year-old Londoner has been on an upward curve ever since he ended a decade-long association with Millwall in the summer of 2016. He had a debut season to remember at Doncaster, scoring 26 goals to fi re Rovers to promotion from League Two. He bagged another 15 last term and by mid-March had fi red another 18 to spearhead his side’s play-off push. Marquis was League One Player of the Month for September and nominated again in December.
Kieffer Moore (FW – Barnsley)
The towering 6ft 5in striker has been a constant thorn in the side of League One defenders this season. It was during a loan spell from Ipswich Town to Rotherham United that the Torquay born frontman first really caught the eye, scoring 13 goals in 19 starts for the Millers last season. Barnsley swooped to land him in the January transfer window last year and he has repaid the Tykes by passing 15 goals by mid-March to put his side firmly in the promotion frame.
