Joey Barton, Lucas Joao, Moussa Dembele - Andy Hinchcliffe's top 10 Championship players so far

Andy Hinchcliffe

Football Expert

Thursday 19 November 2015 11:49, UK

Sky Sports' Andy Hinchcliffe picks his 10 best Championship players so far this season - including a resurgent Joey Barton.

With a third of the season gone, our Football League expert has had plenty of chance to assess the action and some unsung heroes as well as high-profile names make the cut.

But do you agree with his choices? Get in touch via Twitter @SkySportsFL to have your say...

Abel Hernandez - Hull

Andy says: It was really important Hull kept hold of manager Steve Bruce after they got relegated but Hernandez staying put - along with Ahmed Elmohamady - has been a huge plus, too. He's got seven goals already this season but it's not just the goals with Hernandez, it's the way that he plays. He clearly wants to do well; he's not feeling sorry for himself or thinking, 'I'm a better player than this, I should be in the Premier League'. His attitude and his appetite have been fantastic.

I spoke to Steve about him recently and that's what he pointed out as well. He said Hernandez was a very good player and goalscorer who wanted to play for him, wanted to play for Hull and wanted to get back to the top flight. I think that's admirable. That's what you want from your top players.

Alan Judge - Brentford

Andy says: He's always been a great player and one that has stood out for me; one you're waiting to explode into life. Under Lee Carsley, suddenly he's creating goals, he's scoring goals - five this season from midfield. Confidence is a huge thing - even with the best players. He seems to know he's going to be playing in his best position, he's got the manager's faith and he seems completely at ease with himself and what he's got to do in the team. He's not the biggest, but he's well balanced and has vision.

He's got everything you need to be a top player in the Championship and maybe even beyond. He can see a pass, he can play a pass and he scores spectacular goals. For a midfielder, especially the defensive play, he is absolutely perfect and I've not been surprised he's winning awards. He fully deserves it because he's been fantastic.

Andre Gray - Burnley

Andy says: There was huge pressure on him this season, given Burnley spent £9m on him. He was specifically brought in to do what Danny Ings did for them two seasons ago - score the goals to get promotion. Sam Vokes is still there but Sean Dyche has got another genuine goalscorer with pace who can turn defenders. It's huge money but clearly they thought this was one player who could have a huge impact on their season.

Playing with that weight of expectation, he's done remarkably well. He must be a very confident lad. Jordan Rhodes had the same kind of problem but he continues to score goals and Andre Gray has taken to it very easily, too; not just his goals but how easy he has made the transition after that big price tag.

Bradley Johnson - Derby

Andy says: He was bought on transfer deadline day and Derby spent a lot of money - £6m - but Bradley Johnson has been the most influential player out of all those they've signed. It was a bit of a surprise to me that Norwich let him go because he was instrumental last season in helping them get promoted. You can see why - once, perhaps they knew he was on the market - Derby steamed in and snapped him up.

He's got experience, he's got a wonderful left foot, he's competitive, and he scores and makes goals. He fits Derby's mould really well. The way they want to play, the system they operate in midfield, he fits that perfectly. He's been fantastic since he's been there.

Clayton Donaldson - Birmingham

Andy says: Gary Rowett's done brilliantly at Birmingham and Clayton Donaldson has been a part of that. Teams often play with just one striker these days; it's very hard work and incredibly tough physically but every game I see him, there never seems to be any drop in his energy levels, his enthusiasm and his link play. He scores goals - he's got five this season - but he can also bring midfielders into the game and he knows the role really well.

Most of the Birmingham team have played really well - a bit like Brighton - but to have somebody like Donaldson in your team in that system, you've know always got somebody who can take care of the ball and give you a chance to get up and support him. He's been one of the standout centre-forwards for me in this league.

Nick Blackman - Reading

Andy says: I've seen him play at different clubs and I've been thinking, 'Where's he going to find a home?' You were waiting for his career to take off. It seems Steve Clarke has done something with him. Whether it's chats they've had or whether, positionally, he's playing where he wants to play, we're really starting to see the player that you've always thought was there.

It was frustrating to watch him and you were thinking, 'Why is this not quite happening?' but now it is; nine goals this season already for Reading is fantastic. He's been around for a while but he's not really consistently performed. Now he's starting to do that and people are taking notice. It can take time for players to mature and suddenly something just clicks. That's what I think has happened here - but I think you've got to give the manager a pat on the back as well as the player.

Joe Mason - Cardiff

Andy says: As a defender I used to really appreciate attacking players who made my life a lot easier! I've not seen a striker, or somebody playing a No 10, cover as much ground as he does. His willingness, his energy is absolutely fantastic - no ball is hopeless - but he isn't just that type of player; he's got five goals this season and he's very talented.

Before a ball was kicked I was asked for three players who might catch the eye this season and I was hoping one of those would be Mason because I thought the way Cardiff play would get the best out of him. It's great to see him getting some notice as an individual. It's not all about that of course but given he's so selfless - a real team player - it's especially good to see. If he continues to do as well as he's done so far I think Cardiff have a real chance of making the play-offs.

Lucas Joao - Sheffield Wednesday

Andy says: Sheffield Wednesday have been a real success story so far this season - and Lucas Joao has been a big part of it. I'll admit: I saw the name, I didn't know much about him and I was wondering what type of player we were going to get. I've seen him on four or five occasions this season; he was fantastic against Arsenal in the League Cup as well. He's got everything you need to be successful, not just in the Championship but as a striker in the modern game. He's got pace, he's got strength, he can hold the ball up, he can score goals, he's good in the air and on the floor. I've been really impressed and the team plays to his strengths by getting plenty of crosses in.

He's clearly enjoying playing for Carlos Carvalhal. I wondered whether Carvalhal might be a bit of a stopgap but the players can't speak highly enough of him; it's not just his coaching and philosophy, it's his manner. Just speaking to a few of them, I know the players love going into training. I was at Wednesday - you get a feel for the good times; it's in the air - and there's something happening there at the moment.

Moussa Dembele - Fulham

Andy says: He's still very young, very raw, Dembele, but he doesn't seem to get too much wrong. I don't see a lot of naivety in his play. With [strike partner] Ross McCormack especially, your brain has to work very quickly because McCormack is such a thoughtful player with the positions he picks up. He plays off Dembele, and to stick to your natural game and pick up what others are doing around you shows a real maturity.

I think with his pace, his power, his finishing on the floor and in the air, he's playing like a mid-20s player, which is quite extraordinary. There's been talk of interest from Everton and Spurs; he could be a Premier League player and it will be nice to see how he develops over the course of the season.

Joey Barton - Burnley

Andy says: Joey Barton's started the last seven games for Burnley and they haven't lost any of them. I had a brief chat with him recently and thought he seemed completely in his element. He seems to appreciate what Dyche has brought him in to do. He's 33 now so obviously Dyche wants him to play but also to have a positive influence.

If he's fit, he could be a fixture for the rest of the season. I'll be honest: I wasn't sure if it would work out but it's proved a masterstroke; he's been one of the best midfielders in the Championship. He's kept a lid on things; perhaps he's thinking he hasn't got many years left in the game and here's a chance to end on a high. Stories fly around about Barton but he's a good footballer and he's got a good heart. He's got high standards and he wants success. I'm pleased for him.

It's a bumper weekend of Championship action on Sky Sports. Follow Middlesbrough v QPR (Friday, 7pm, SS1), Bristol City v Hull City (Saturday, noon, SS1) and Burnley v Brighton (Sunday, 1pm, SS1) live on Sky Sports and via our live blogs on skysports.com and the Sky Sports apps.

Find all Sky Live Championship fixtures here.