With a little over half of the season done, Sports Mole has put together its best XI for the Championship from the 2013 segment of the campaign.
Following the 12 fixtures on New Year's Day, every team in the second tier has now played at least 23 games and here we reveal who has impressed us most.
Below, SM takes a closer look at its favourite XI, in a traditional 4-4-2, as well as naming a seven-man substitutes' bench.
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The Reading keeper showcased his talents in the Premier League last season as the Royals were relegated and he has continued his fine form with the gloves in the Championship this term. Although Reading are in the bottom half of our defensive league, McCarthy's presence and vital saves means that they are still just a point off the playoffs.
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The standout full-back of the season so far has to be Burnley's Trippier. Nobody expected the Clarets to do quite so well this season and while the front duo of Danny Ings and Sam Vokes have grabbed most of the headlines, right-back Trippier has been just as good. As well as being strong at the back, the 23-year-old has provided the joint-most assists in the division with nine and regularly curls over some fantastic deliveries from the wing when he gets forward.
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Despite being 34 years old now, Brighton & Hove Albion defender Upson has played in every single game for the Seagulls this season and helped them to 10 clean sheets, the second most in the league. As well as that, the former England international has contributed a couple of goals from the back, including a late winner in last month's game against Middlesbrough.
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The Queens Park Rangers defence has conceded an average of just 0.58 goals per game and Hill has played all but two of their games. Hill and fellow experienced defender Richard Dunne are a formidable duo for any striker to come up against and have kept 14 clean sheets in the 24 games so far this term. Hill's one goal this season was a vital one that proved to be the winner against Leeds United back in August.
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Like Trippier, Ipswich Town left-back Cresswell is a regular supplier for his teammates. He is joint-top of the assist charts with nine and also has two goals. He takes most of the Tractor Boys' set pieces and is said to have caught the eye of a number of Premier League teams. Ipswich are the surprise team in the playoff places and if they are to maintain their push for a top-six finish, keeping hold of Cresswell will be a priority. If anyone is to come in for him, they will need to pay a decent sum as he recently signed a new contract at Portman Road.
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Adomah has been the star player for Middlesbrough this season by scoring nine goals from the wing, including a run of five goals in three games back in October. The Ghanaian has electric pace and is confident in front of goal. His first goal against Doncaster was one of the best of the season as he lobbed the Donny keeper with the outside of his boot while running at full pelt.
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An absolute shoo-in for the best XI is Derby County midfielder Bryson. The Rams have been superb under new manager Steve McClaren and climbed into the top four of the table. Bryson is the only midfielder in the division with a double-digit number of goals (11). His regular bursts from midfield have helped Derby score the most goals in the league, with the Rams averaging exactly two goals a game.
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The league leaders at the halfway stage are Leicester City and it is their collective solidarity and consistency that sees them top of the pile. It's hard to pick out one player as the best one in Nigel Pearson's squad but we've gone for former Manchester United midfielder Drinkwater. He has featured in every game and set the pace of Leicester's play from the middle of the park.
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Regularly the subject of 'who ate all the pies' chants from opposition fans, Reid has silenced his doubters with a number of classy performances for fifth-placed Nottingham Forest. He has been involved in 14 of their 34 goals by scoring seven and assisting seven. His experience is crucial for the City Ground side and manager Billy Davies must have been delighted when he penned a new deal yesterday.
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The second Burnley name in the side is frontman Ings, who has had a breakout season under Sean Dyche's management at Turf Moor. Ings has found the net on 15 occasions in the league and his partnership with Sam Vokes is the deadliest in the division as they have 25 goals between them. His performances for Burnley have seen Ings also feature and score goals for England's Under-21s. Some season for the 21-year-old, who won Player of the Month in October.
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Finally, it's the league's top scorer. Leeds United striker Ross McCormack has scored 17 goals so far this season to lead the way in the scoring charts. In November he scored seven goals in four games, including four against Charlton Athletic, to be crowned the Player of the Month. Interest in McCormack could be high in January but Leeds boss Brian McDermott must keep the Scot if they are to maintain their playoff push.
Substitutes: Karl Darlow (GK, Forest), Gary MacKenzie (CB, Blackpool), Chris Burke (RM, Birmingham City), Rodolph Austin (CM, Leeds), Lloyd Dyer (LM, Leicester), Sam Vokes (ST, Burnley), Chris Martin (ST, Derby)
Pascal Lemesre
