21st August 2008
Billy Sharp’s sharp shooting for Sheffield United in the 3-0 thrashing of QPR last weekend ensures he currently leads the way in the Coca-Cola Championship Actim Index. Sharp smashed a sensational hat-trick to thrill the Bramall Lane faithful and earn a 65-point haul. The Sheffield-born star is now tipped for big things with the Blades – if he can stay fit.
Chris Iwelumo has scored regularly throughout his career and opened his Championship account for Wolves following his summer switch from Charlton with a deadly double to record the second-best Index rating of week two. The strapping Scottish striker netted twice as Mick McCarthy’s men came from behind to secure a 4-1 victory against Sheffield Wednesday. Iwelumo’s 52 points also saw him surge 118 places to fourth in the overall standings.
Ibrahima Sonko must wish he could play Plymouth every week after the Reading defender scored his first goals since December 2006 against Paul Sturrock’s side. A brace and a 50-point return saw Sonko easily outscore his defensive rivals last week. QPR’s Fitz Hall, however, remains the highest-placed defender in the overall rankings, one place above Sonko in second.
That man Kevin Phillips keeps rolling back the years, popping up in the nick of time to continue Birmingham’s stirring start to the season. Super-sub Phillips followed up his last-gasp winner against Sheffield United on the opening day with another vital goal barely a minute after his introduction in the 2-1 victory at Southampton. That’s two goals from just two shots on target this season from the former England international. Not bad for a 35-year-old!
Few could have predicted Preston would have made a flying start after struggling at the other end of the table for most of last season and goalkeeper Andy Lonergan has been an influential performer for the Deepdale club. So far Lonergan has been called into action to make 18 saves and has only conceded one goal – against Ipswich on the opening day – to emerge as the best goalkeeper in the Index, ranked 20th place.
Staying with the Lilywhites, summer signing Barry Nicholson has caught the eye during his fledgling North End career and the midfielder’s impressive haul of 38 points last weekend jostles him up to 10th spot overall. Nicholson is one of six Preston players in the top 25, with team-mate Richard Chaplow also hogging the headlines after the duo both scored in the recent 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Across Lancashire, Burnley prop up the Championship table two games into the new campaign and that reflects in the Actim Index, with Martin Paterson (73rd) the club’s sole representative in the top 100. Paterson was unable to add to his record of one goal from one shot on target in the 3-0 defeat at the hands of Ipswich and will have his work cut out to find a way past Crystal Palace this weekend. Defensive duo Matt Lawrence (34th) and Danny Butterfield (69th) have emerged as Palace’s top performers.
The sinner of the weekend for the second successive time was Aron Gunnarsson. The clumsy Coventry midfielder has now committed 11 fouls in two Championship outings for the Sky Blues, but, somewhat bizarrely, has yet to be booked. It’s no surprise to see Gunnarsson down in 50th place overall.
