EFL L2 Team of the Season

[Franchisor]

Mostly what I expected with the likes of O'Shea, Shackell, Pearce, Mayor, Walker and Norwood.

Disagree with that left back position though, should have been Dean Lewington instead of Benning - Lewington beats or matches him in every single measurable stat. As someone else said, not surprised we've been shunned considering Football Manager sponsor AFC Wimbledon.

Mansfield - 4 players
Bury - 2 players
Lincoln - 2 players
Newport - 1 player
Oldham - 1 player
Tranmere - 1 player

 

[Imp in Branston]

Would have had Danny Cowley or Mellon ahead of Ryan Lowe tbh. I do think Shackell is the best CB in the division, Bostwick has hardly played in CM this season either. Other shouts for us would have been LB Toffolo and Andrade on the wing.

 

[Luke Imp]

As above really.

Shackell is comfortably the best CB in the division and by some distance IMO - he's hardly broken into a sweat in some games this season. Rarely tackles anyone, just spots danger too early for L2 forwards.

Bostwick has been Mr. Consistent again and is an absolutely warrior of a man, although he's only played one full game (away at Yeovil) in CM so it's bizarre to put him there.

Can't believe Andrade isn't in there, though. He's been electric this season bar a 6 week spell (injured and suspended). 10 goals from the left wing, most from outside the box and can produce something out of nothing and has created tonnes of for us this season.

We've not only had good performers this season, but a team full of consistently good performers so you'd get different answers from different Imps tbf.

4 Mansfield players, though? Seems a bit on the high side for a team who have only kicked into gear for about a third of the season (lots of draws and a wobble either side of the winning run). Pearce and Walker seem logical choices, but I can't say I've heard too much about Benning and Hamilton has hardly been mentioned since January (maybe a victim of a formation change/defensive injuries?).

 

[wangle]

Putting aside my complete bias that Cowley should be the manager of the year, as with my fellow Lincoln comrade, I would have had Mellon above Lowe (though maybe because the surge in form may have come too late for this). Not many other managers really stand out.

This reminds me of how much we miss Shackell. On the flip side, Botswick is so good that only two matches in midfield all season were enough to cement him a place there.

Some players in there that were to be expected, such as the likes of Walker, Norwood, Mayor on O'Shea. Defenders I always find difficult to choose because you don't really notice them as much as an opposing fan (I.e. they don't score/create goals every week).

 

[Tranmerewhite]

Most clean sheets in league, no defenders on there.

Chris Hamilton with 8 goals, 4 assists? There must be 30 players with a better return.

Clearly done my a Mansfield fan with a Bury O/H

 

[Conker]

Hamilton although probably the most valuable player in this league if January was anything to go by is lucky to get in.

I have not seen a LB/LWB as good or consistent as Benning for a few years in my opinion though Luke.

To be fair we have only dropped off recently and I would only disagree with CJ but you could definitely make a argument for Bishop who I reckon is the best CM in the league with his insane stats and if White didn’t get injured that’s one too - in fact my prediction to struggle since he got injured came true unfortunately.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Joe Day? Really?

 

[Tranmerewhite]

Put in Scott Davies and Connor Jennings and there's the actual team, I'm sure it'll be different to the managers team of the year which likely will have either Andrade or Jennings in (two very different players).

 

[Conker]

Put in Scott Davies and Connor Jennings and there's the actual team, I'm sure it'll be different to the managers team of the year which likely will have either Andrade or Jennings in (two very different players).

This is the managers.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

This is the managers.

My bad! Misread the post. That is interesting.

 

[Boz]

Firstly on Tranmere players. Norwood a shoo-in obviously. There are arguments in favour of including Manny Monthe and Scott Davies, given our generally good defensive record, while if Perkins had been with us all season would be a contender. While I think Connor Jennings has been a great player for Rovers, he’s been mainly deployed as a striker for us and there are others who are more prolific up front.

I don’t know enough about other teams players to comment on the individuals selected, but the numerical balance seems wrong. 4 from Mansfield, yet only 2 from likely champions Lincoln, only 1 player from Bury likely to secure an automatic spot and nobody from Franchise.

 

[RLC]

Firstly on Tranmere players. Norwood a shoo-in obviously. There are arguments in favour of including Manny Monthe and Scott Davies, given our generally good defensive record, while if Perkins had been with us all season would be a contender. While I think Connor Jennings has been a great player for Rovers, he’s been mainly deployed as a striker for us and there are others who are more prolific up front.

I don’t know enough about other teams players to comment on the individuals selected, but the numerical balance seems wrong. 4 from Mansfield, yet only 2 from likely champions Lincoln, only 1 player from Bury likely to secure an automatic spot and nobody from Franchise.

I agree with most of that, although you could argue Jennings is a more complete player than most strikers in this division.

Mellon should be the manager as well. Lowe inherited a good group of players and has a big budget, so he has not done anything remarkable in my view.

 

[T.A]

But it is his first full season as a manager. I don't really care for these types of things but having a good team/squad doesn't automatically make you a good manager - it helps obviously but it isn't certain - Lee Clarke proves that.

Edit: plus this was probably done in December/January so Tranmere were probably mid table so Mellon wouldn't have been considered.

 

[Son of Cod]

I agree with most of that, although you could argue Jennings is a more complete player than most strikers in this division.

Jennings, Amond, Maynard and Agard I think you could argue a case for over Walker and Hamilton.

Szmodics and Reece Brown have been decent in midfield from what I've seen too.

Will be interesting to see the young team of the year if there is one.

Cowley should be manager too (totally not said through gritted teeth).

Also is Edmundson even a RB? I thought he was a CB?

 

[MonkeyDust]

Edmundson shouldn’t be there. Maynard unfortunate to miss out but joined us later on so maybe why. Can understand why we don’t have any defenders there, even if Thompson has had a great season in my opinion. Lowe undoubtedly the manager of the year for me. 3 manager of the month awards, and you can’t underestimate what a massive turnaround he’s created at Bury. We were dreadful last year, as well as having off field problems with Day and missed player wage payments. Remember we were tipped to do naff all too, including by most people on here. Hopefully he’ll finish the job.

 

[Stringy]

I thought Bishop would be most likely to be included, he seems to win our MOTM every week. Granted he seems to get it for being fans' favourite some weeks. Benning, Pearce and Walker (Walker less so, but goals) have been our standout players but TOTS I thought there may have been better choices. Hamilton a certainty if we had only played until January/February.

 

[Conker]

It’s actually a bit mad Bishop is not in, but like I said CJ is lucky to be in and you have a decent argument to replace Walker even being the 3rd!? top scorer.

Struggling to think of anybody to compete with Pearce or Benning though.

Walker, CJ, Pearce, Benning could all easily end up in L1 next season if we don’t unfortunately.

 

[Son of Cod]

The problem with Bishop is that he isn't a goalscoring midfielder so far less likely to get picked up in this. That aside, I'm glad he isn't in because he's a cheating twat.

 

[Conker]

Three of those players were signed by Adam Murray on probably half the budget ironically, Shame tactically he was not good enough because he could spot a player.

 

[Stringy]

The problem with Bishop is that he isn't a goalscoring midfielder so far less likely to get picked up in this. That aside, I'm glad he isn't in because he's a cheating twat.

What specifically has he done cheating wise? I know he takes bookings and stuff but I just put it down to mostly tactical fouls which everyone does. Can understand why he's not popular with opposition fans though.

 

[Crewelad87]

I've not seen a better right back than our very own Perry Ng this season. Not that I was expecting him to get in. It's always the clubs in the top 4 or 5. Which I understand, they're at the top for a reason I suppose.

 

[Son of Cod]

What specifically has he done cheating wise? I know he takes bookings and stuff but I just put it down to mostly tactical fouls which everyone does. Can understand why he's not popular with opposition fans though.

Threw one of our players to the floor right in front of the ref, got away with it and then went up the other end of the pitch and scored the only goal of the game.

 

[Conker]

Threw one of our players to the floor right in front of the ref, got away with it and then went up the other end of the pitch and scored the only goal of the game.

I remember that, Bish is brilliant at winding players up. Grimsby player made contact first from my vague memory. I’ll have a look in I follow.

 

[Son of Cod]

I remember that, Bish is brilliant at winding players up. Grimsby player made contact first from my vague memory. I’ll have a look in I follow.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1080094222462713857

Looks completely unprovoked to me.

 

[T.A]

That’s not a sending off imo. A booking maybe.

 

[Son of Cod]

That’s not a sending off imo. A booking maybe.

It's basically assault? 100% red.

 

[Chris FGR]

Glad to see Lowe getting it, a victory for decent football.

Only player I could see getting near it for us would be Reece Brown, or maybe Gav Gunning. But hard to judge, most of the players in that team have looked quality when I've seen them.

Nors will get player of the year, and rightly so. Lads been on fire this year, always thought he had it in him.

 

[Conker]

It's basically assault? 100% red.

I’m sure something happened before hand, it’s only a yellow for me too.

 

[TimeyWimey]

No Stuart Tomlinson again?

 

[AnotherStagsFan]

Benning

Walker and Pearce makes sense!