The World Cup break marks a unique point for the half-season after 21 rounds of Championship fixtures. With that, it’s awards season, everybody!
Burnley’s Vincent Kompany and Sheffield United’s Ollie Norwood scoop up the main accolades, but they are not the only early-season winners…
Manager of the Season – Vincent Kompany
The Manchester City legend’s appointment in the summer was met with a mixed reception as he did not set the world alight during his managerial education at Anderlecht.
Also taking a job in the Championship as your first in England is a brave call. He could have easily plodded away in City’s academy for a few years and no-one would have batted an eyelid.
So Kompany deserved credit right away for taking a job that could have gone oh so wrong.
A big job was on his hands at Burnley after most of last season’s best players left in the summer. He has also looked to overhaul their playing style after they were moulded in Sean Dyche’s dogged image.
But after 21 Championship games in 2022/23, this appointment is working a treat for everyone involved.
The Clarets are three points clear at the top of the table and Kompany has been a breath of fresh air with his presence in the Championship.
Burnley have become a passing machine as Kompany has turned them into Manchester City lite to great effect.
Kompany acted expertly in the transfer market and the clean slate provided by Burnley’s relegation has played right into his inexperienced hands.
As is the case with the Championship, Burnley’s ride for promotion this season will not be without a speedbump or two. But he has taken the unfamiliar surroundings of the second tier in his stride and the Clarets are becoming a more fashionable club in the process.
Player of the Season – Ollie Norwood
The Sheffield United midfield dictator has now entered his 30s and he’s playing the best football of his career.
Burnley’s Josh Brownhill also has a case to be the Championship’s best player and there has been very little between the two central midfielders.
Both stalwarts made their name in the second tier and in recent years have proven themselves in the Premier League.
But following Sheffield United and Burnley’s respective relegations, Norwood and Brownhill have shown that they are a class above the rest at this level.
Prior to United’s promotion in 2019, Norwood was named in the Championship Team of the Season and barring a significant drop-off in form, he will repeat…
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