With almost half of the season gone now seems as good as time as any to have a look at who are the best performers in League One so far.
Using the InStat Index that scores players on a number of different aspects based upon the position in which they play, D3D4 Football has put together a League One Team of the Season based on the first 21 games.
Only players that have played a minimum 1,000 minutes have been considered.
Jon McLaughlin – Goalkeeper
Team: Sunderland
InStat Index Score – 253
The Sunderland stopper has been superb so far making 81 saves while saving 82% of all shots faced. He has helped Sunderland challenge for an immediate return to the Championship keeping five clean-sheets in the process.
Adam Matthews – Right-back
Team: Sunderland
InStat Index Score – 251
Adam Matthews has been in exceptional form for the Black Cats this season. He has made an excellent contribution to both defensive and attacking actions for his side. With six assists he is second on the team only to Lynden Gooch while being fourth for key passes but also a rock at the back.
Matty Pearson – Centre-back
Team: Luton Town
InStat Index Score – 253
Matty Pearson has been a rock in an impressive Luton back line. He joined from Barnsley this summer and has become one of the best centre-backs in League One. The fact that he has won 328 defensive challenges this season is outstanding with 198 aerial challenges won as well.
Matt Clarke – Centre-back
Team: Portsmouth
InStat Index Score – 263
No defender has a better InStat Index in League One this season than Matt Clarke. The guy is an absolute rock whose ability in the air is matched by the ease in which he plays with the ball at his feet. He has won 462 challenges and made 812 accurate passes in League One this season making him the most sought-after defender below the second tier.
James Justin – Left-back
Team: Luton Town
InStat Index Score – 236
Despite not being a natural left-back no player in League One has a better rating in the position with the exception of Bryan Oviedo who has not played enough minutes to qualify and Dan Potts who is out injured. Justin’s ability to charge up the left flank has helped the Hatters out of a fix after first choice left-back Dan Potts picked up an injury.
Lee Cattermole – Centre-mid
Team: Sunderland
InStat Index Score – 255
Lee Cattermole has answered his critics this season by showing that he can still be the engine at the heart of the Sunderland midfield. He has made 128 successful challenges this season and has also contributed going forward with three goals and one assist.
Jamal Lowe – Right-wing
Team: Portsmouth
InStat Index Score – 245
Jamal Lowe has been exceptional for Pompey this season and it is no surprise at all that he makes it into this team. Seven goals and three assists don’t tell the whole story. The winger is brilliant on the ball and has completed 63 successful dribbles while creating 22 chances and put in 88 crosses. If he can keep this up then it is hard to see anyone stopping Portsmouth.
Siriki Dembele – Left-wing
Team: Peterborough United
InStat Index Score – 250
This man is the best signing the Posh made over the summer. He has thrived and leads the way on the left-wing. He has completed more dribbles (102) than any other player in League One while also creating 16 chances, scoring five goals and notching five assists.
Elliot Lee – Attacking mid
Team: Luton Town
InStat Index Score – 264
No player in the whole of the division can match Elliot Lee’s InStat rating making him the best player in League One. He is also Luton’s top scorer with 10 goals and has registered more shots on target (30) than any of his team-mates. His 53 successful dribbles is second on the team only to Pelle Ruddock-Mpanzu (61) and his overall contribution is a joy to behold.
Ian Henderson – Striker
Team: Rochdale
InStat Index Score – 247
Ian Henderson has been such an important player for Rochdale over the years but you can’t help but expect him to slow down….well clearly not. He has been excellent once again with 12 goals and three assists not to mention the 20 chances he has created for his team-mates. A Rochdale legend and League One’s best striker.
Liam Boyce – Striker
Team: Burton Albion
InStat Index Score – 241
Liam Boyce is probably the shock choice in this team and it is fair to say that he only just pipped John Marquis and Kieffer Moore by a single point. However, his contribution to Burton Albion cannot be overlooked. He has scored six goals, notched three assists, created 16 chances and had 19 shots on target. A key player in this Burton side and one of the division’s best forwards.
Subs:
GK – James Shea – Luton Town – 251
RB – Jack Stacey – Luton Town – 248
LB – Dan Potts – Luton Town – 241
CB – Sonny Bradley – Luton Town – 252
CM – Alex Mowatt – Barnsley – 248
RW – Ryan ColClough – Scunthorpe United – 246
LW – Ronan Curtis – Portsmouth – 243
ACM – Joe Aribo – Charlton – 243
SC – John Marquis – Doncaster Rovers – 240 (Joint with Kieffer Moore – Barnsley)
words James Richards, D3D4 Football