It was announced yesterday that Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle, Leeds United’s Chris Wood and Brighton’s Anthony Knockaert were nominated for the EFL’s Championship Player of the Year award.
While it’s fair to say that all three players would be worthy winners, each playing a monumental role in their club’s successes this season, football fans soon took to twitter to voice their thoughts on the three-man shortlist.
We found a real mix of responses, with a surprising number of fair, valid and insightful points being made from a combination of Newcastle, Leeds and Brighton fans.
So, without further adieu, here’s some of the tweets we found:
@SkyBet @Total_NUFC @SkyBetChamp Chris Wood goal ever 121 minutes. Dwight Gayle goal ever 92 minutes.
— Howard Ross ? (@Howard88Ross) March 27, 2017
btw Chris Wood, Dwight Gayle and Knockaert for EFL award; Gayle should win it judging from goals per games played.
— Mali (@samalitim) March 27, 2017
No Tom Cairney? All 3 make a great case tbf, but Knockaert is the most exciting player to watch, I'd go for him #EFLAwards https://t.co/pJb65te96i
— the beautiful game (@kunfazed) March 27, 2017
50% – Chris Wood has been involved in a higher % of his team’s league goals in 16/17 than any other Championship player. Star. #EFLAwards
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 27, 2017
@charlie191 @BBCMOTD Gayle first half of season, wood second half. So it has to go to knockart ??
— CameronRStewart (@CameronRStewart) March 27, 2017
If Chris Wood does get the Player of the Season, it will be a remarkable turnaround for him. Couldn't hit a barn door initially #LUFC
— Jonny Bentley (@SportsJonny) March 27, 2017
@Marshall89HD if Gayle wasn't out injured for a lot of the second half of the season, I feel it would be him, but for now I'd say Wood
— Luke (@Luke_Hudson4) March 27, 2017
Knockaert should get POTS – most influential, Gayle has been injured for parts and Newcastle create lots of chances and Wood most improved
— Tom Raynor (@TOMLUFC1995) March 27, 2017
@BBCSport Without Knockaert Brighton would be top 6. Without Gayle Newcastle would be top 6. Without Wood Leeds wouldn't be near the top 6.
— Andy Brook (@andybrook1) March 27, 2017
In my humble opinion, Gayle would have won the award if he had stayed fit. An injury free Dwight Gayle quite possibly nets 30 goals this season – a tally that would have all but guaranteed him the award.
Knockaert has been outstanding and is without doubt one of the leagues most talented players, but I expect the award to go to Leeds’ Chris Wood for outstanding season he’s had.
His 24 goals have propelled Leeds up the table, being made all the more impressive given they were tipped equally for relegation as they were for promotion at the start of the season.
Let’s hope Gayle can clinch it, but it’s fair to say any three of the nominee’s would be worthy winners.
