Thursday 28 February 2019 07:55, 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 February…
The new manager bounce has certainly taken effect for the Owls since the turn of the year, and Steve Bruce's side played more matches without defeat (six) than any other in February, with Westwood playing a pivotal role. Back as first choice after a public falling out with the previous manager, the Irishman produced 23 saves over the month, keeping four clean sheets.
Another team that went unbeaten throughout February, the Latics also had an improved defensive record to thank for that, with Chelsea loanee James playing his part. The 19-year-old has been Wigan's most consistent and impressive performer this season and registered the assist from one of a remarkable eight key passes as his side stole a late point against Ipswich last time out.
Like those before him here, Davies played a pivotal role as Preston avoided defeat in five matches during February to keep their play-off hopes alive. The 23-year-old scored in the victory over league leaders Norwich and was named WhoScored.com man of the match against both Derby and Forest, winning nine and 10 aerial duels respectively in said games.
Hutchinson put in a number of commanding performances for the Lions in February, helping Neil Harris' side keep three clean sheets in six matches. He earned the WhoScored.com man of the match award in the stalemate with Sheffield Wednesday, having won 10 aerial duels and made a massive 19 clearances, before opening his account for the season at Hull.
Many have tipped the Blades to fall away in the hunt for automatic promotion but they, more than any other side, strengthened their case in February, with Stevens an unsung hero of the side. The left-back helped keep four clean sheets in five matches, producing 13 tackles, and his level of consistency is a manager's dream.
Moved out wide by new boss Bruce, Reach has begun to find some form after a frustrating spell and ended an eight-game run without a goal with a match-winning brace against Swansea. The versatile 26-year-old also registered assists in three other matches, having a direct hand in at least one goal in four of six appearances in February to earn his place in this XI.
Having previously gained a reputation for only ever scoring at Deepdale, Browne scored for a third successive away game with what proved to be a crucial goal at Bolton and impressed in the win over Norwich, making four tackles. His work rate out of possession and quality in the final third will be pivotal if Alex Neil's side are to maintain a late charge for the play-offs.
Alongside the energy of Browne in the middle ground, veteran midfielder Gallagher is the third Preston player to make the squad. The Scot played a decisive role in 3-1 wins over both Norwich and Millwall, with a goal and assist against the former and a further two assists against the latter, doubling his tally for the season in the process.
With two perfect ten ratings in five appearances in February, Benrahma was in sensational form as Brentford demolished both Blackburn and Hull at Griffin Park. With four goals and four assists last month alone, the Algerian is now joint top of the charts for the latter, taking his tally to 11 despite starting just 20 of 29 league appearances.
Noticing that his competitors were stepping up their game in the race for the Golden Boot, Pukki followed suit in February scoring six goals in five appearances, registering a further two assists. The Finland international has been an inspired signing and his efforts over the month ensured he became the first player to have a direct hand in 30 Championship goals (23 goals, seven assists).
If there is one player that, on form, poses the biggest threat to Pukki's pole position in the scoring charts right now it's Adams. The 22-year-old also scored six goals in five appearances in February alone, breaking the 20-goal barrier in the process. Ten of the youngster's 21 have come in nine league outings since the start of the year and interest in unsurprisingly mounting from the Premier League.
