We’re approaching the halfway point of the EFL League One season, which means we have a fairly good assessment of how all the teams and players have fared so far in the third tier.
From surprise packages such as Bradford City‘s unlikely promotion push following promotion to the struggles of pre-season favourites like Plymouth Argyle and Huddersfield Town, there have been plenty of talking points to take note of since August.
The team over at the League One Lowdown have had their say on who are the standout players in the division, constructing their team of the season ahead of the festive fixtures and going into 2026. So let’s take a look at who they have put in their starting 11 for the League One Team of the Season… so far.
Goalkeeper: Bradley Collins (Burton Albion)
Between the sticks was a split decision between Collins and Lincoln City‘s shot-stopper George Wickens, but with the recent uptick in form for the Brewers, it is hard to look past the Coventry City loanee’s contributions. In his 13 League One appearances so far, the 28-year-old has kept six clean sheets and let in 14 goals to finally break out after losing his first-team status at the Sky Blues.
Collins is a league leader in many goalkeeping metrics, with the most notable being in the goals prevented category with 6.2 to his name based on xG created, far ahead of the closest contender, Cameron Dawson. He is 2nd in saves per 90, just behind Lee Nichols, and is also leading the division in save percentage completion with 75%, just edging out Sam Walker.
While players like Nathan Trott, Sam Walker, and indeed George Wickens would all have been worthy contenders, Collins stands out as a real difference maker in his team’s fortunes.
Defender: Carl Piergianni (Stevenage)
The figurehead in what is statistically League One’s best defence this season, Carl Piergianni is a very comfortable pick to make this lineup. A rock at the back, the 33-year-old’s aerial ability is unmatched by his peers, with 103 aerial duels being the most of any defender in the third tier this season, winning 73% of them.
Piergianni has been Mr. Consistent for Boro for many years now and his efforts are second to none in bringing Stevenage into the promotion conversation. Alongside Charlie Goode at the back, Alex Revell’s team have looked resolute and much of it is down to their determination and ability to come out on top in any situation. He is a deserving name to be in this list.
Defender: Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff City)
While Joe Wright and Will Fish were picked by the Lowdown team in their respective lineups, Dylan Lawlor’s name as also floated as a great option to make the side. In his first season of senior football, the 19 year-old has already become an undroppable name for Brian Barry-Murphy in a team which are in a great position to win the League One title.
While his baseline stats are not up to par with many other centre-backs, part of that can be justified by how excellent Cardiff have been in controlling possession and limiting their opposition’s chances. However, when it comes to counter-attacking, Lawlor has been a gem at sweeping up, with 65 recoveries putting him near the top of all defenders and also sits third in blocks per 90 behind Jack Shepherd and Ryan Sweeney.
Right-Back: Josh Neufville (Bradford City)
Sam and Callum were split at right-back, with the latter picking Ronan Kpakio, who like his Bluebirds teammate has excelled in his first full season of football with six assists to his name from full-back. However, similar in his attacking returns is Bradford’s Josh Neufville, who has been outstanding for the Bantams since his summer switch from AFC Wimbledon.
Much more of a wingback than a traditional defender, the 24-year-old has been given license to drive forward more, resulting in three goals and two assists since arriving at Valley Parade. Against other wingbacks in the third tier, he has been one of the better defensively, with 47 tackles and 92 duels won putting him in the 10% at his position.
Left-Back: Adam Reach (Lincoln City)
Likely the best free agent signing made this summer, Adam Reach has looked a cut above for Lincoln since joining the Imps and has looked brilliant in Michael Skubala’s team as a replacement for Sean Roughan. His discipline is a standout as well, not recieving a single booking in his 13 League One appearances so far.
His passing is a standout among full-backs this season, with 327 successful passes, 34 of which were long balls. His chance creation from the flank has put him in great stead, with 2.47 xA within the top 3 of all full-backs in the third tier. While another Cardiff player in Joel Bagan is worth considering, Reach’s attacking contributions on top of his excellent defensive work puts him in over the 24-year-old.
Midfielder: Lewis Wing (Reading)
Billed as the “most complete midfielder in League One” by Sam, Wing has been the standout in an otherwise underwhelming Reading side this season. Playing in every single Royals match this campaign, the former Wycombe Wanderers man has seven direct goal contributions to his name, leading his team in that metric ahead of Jack Marriott.
Brilliant in his all-round game, Wing and midfield partner Charlie Savage has kept their side in multiple games through their efforts and Wing has certainly done that with his chance creation and pass accuracy going forward. Without the 30-year-old in their ranks, it could have been a much bleaker position for Reading to be in when Leam Richardson took over.
Midfielder: Owen Bailey (Doncaster Rovers)
Another player which has been a shining light on a team which has struggled to deliver in League One this season, Owen Bailey has been brilliant across the campaign. Just one of four players to have been on the field for every single minute so far, Bailey has been a standout going forward with six goals and two assists and alongside Luke Molyneux have made up for the weakening returns of the strikers.
He has been contributing however he can defensively, with his 84 aerial duels won the most of any midfielder this campaign and also sits in the top 20% of other categories such as interceptions and tackles. Whilst it certainly has been a struggle for Grant McCann’s team in the first half of the season, Bailey has been essential to their performances so far which warrants perhaps warrants a place in this team.
Right Winger: Amario Cozier-Duberry (Bolton Wanderers)
Certainly a candidate for player of the season so far, Amario Cozier-Duberry is the figurehead of Bolton’s revival under Steven Schumacher while on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion. With 12 goals and asissts to his name this season, the winger has singlehandedly changed the outcomes of matches by himself, notably against Huddersfield Town in that 2-1 win back in October.
Only Aaron Connoly and Yousef Salech have taken more shots than the England Youth international this season but nobody has put more of those efforts on target than the 20-year-old. With his 6 assists leading the division for the ultimate playmaker award, his inclusion is a no-brainer.
Left Winger: Aaron Connolly (Leyton Orient)
In what has been a tricky year defensively for Orient, Connolly has been keeping his side competitive in the hunt for the playoffs with 12 direct goal contributions this season. As outlined when talking about Cozier-Duberry, the former Millwall man alongside striker Dom Ballard have done brilliantly to replace the losses of Charlie Kelman and Jamie Donley over the summer.
His presence has certainly been missed over the past two games, and that is certainly set to continue with Richie Wellens confirming he will be out of action for the next three to four months after his injury against Salford City. While that will surely rule him out of an end-of-season list, his contributions so far earn him a well-deserved place at the midway point.
Striker: Yousef Salech (Cardiff City)
Joint-top of the golden boot race so far, Salech is very much a Championship-caliber striker stuck in League One. The Dane’s ability to finish his chances has secured Cardiff vital points in their quest to win the third division title, but his chance creation has also turned games on its head, such as against Doncaster Rovers and Huddersfield Town in the past month.
Only Connolly has taken more shots per 90 than Salech, and has the most xG of any player in the division with 11.45 across 1,425 minutes. He is an obvious choice to make the team, and could certainly put himself over 25 goals this season to make him the highest single-season scorer in the third tier since Jonson Clarke-Harris back in 2020/21.
Striker: Davis Keillor-Dunn (Barnsley)
The other player on 10 goals for the season so far alongside Salech, Keillor-Dunn has been brilliant as both a striker and attacking midfielder for the Oakwell outfit this campaign. Nearly averaging a goal every two games since arriving from Mansfield Town last season, the 28-year-old has been one of League One’s most consistent attacking threats and has shown it with 51% of his shots being put on target this campaign.
While other players like Plymouth Argyle‘s Lorent Tolaj and Stockport County‘s Kyle Wootton both are honourable mentions, Keillor-Dunn’s performances merit a place alongside Salech up front in this team of the season.
Manager: Graham Alexander (Bradford City)
While they did not definitively pick a manager to go alongside this team, Bradford City’s Graham Alexander was mentioned as a surefire contender to take that accolade. The Scotsman has been brilliant in his management of the Bantams since making the step up to League One, continuing their fine form at Valley Parade, which has kept them in touch with a promotion bid heading into the new year.
Other names also included Michael Skubala and Alex Revell, but based on pre-season expectations perhaps it is Alexander that has overachieved the most with his squad.
