The Championship is approaching the final few furlongs in what has been another dramatic season.
There's still plenty to play for too, with the automatic promotion, play-off spots and relegation places all still to be confirmed. With the end in sight, we thought we'd cast an eye over which players are near the top of the stats table, by using whoscored.com's rating system.
The respected website uses a number of figures when compiling individual decimal player ratings, such as pass success percentage. shots per game and interceptions per game. With just over a month of the Championship campaign remaining, here are the current top ten as it stands (we only included players with 20 or more league appearances) - and while some are already dreaming of the Premier League next season with their current employers, others on this list may find themselves being eyed up by top flight sides.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
Unsurprisingly, Fulham goal machine Mitrovic is top of this list with an average rating of 7.78. That's down in no small part to his whopping 35 goals. That already puts him out as the Championship's most lethal finisher since it was revamped in 2004-05.
As well as a huge goal tally, he's chipped in with seven assists and has 11 man of the match ratings - a divisional high. More than worthy of top spot.
Harry Wilson
Another Fulham player, unsurprisingly, takes up second spot. Wilson has flourished since arriving at Craven Cottage from Liverpool for £12million last summer. His average rating of 7.39 indicates that, with the Wales international in double figures for both goals (10) and assists (13).
The only blot on his copybook this term has been a red card, picked up against Huddersfield back in August.
Max Lowe
A surprise inclusion but a worthy one nonetheless. Lowe arrived at Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan from Championship rivals Sheffield United. He's featured 20 times since, and his average rating of 7.19 has him joint-third this season. He's chipped in with a goal and four assists but it's his defensive attributes that have had Forest fans purring.
He averages 3.7 tackles per game - easily the highest in the division - and his average 1.5 interceptions each game is the highest in this particular list.
The bad news is he's currently out with a groin injury that could keep him sidelined until the final week of the season - although he may be eligible for the play-offs if Forest qualify.
Phillip Billing
One of three players with an average of 7.19, Bournemouth's Billing has been an unlikely contributor to the Cherries' goal.
His eight goals in the league make him their second-top scorer and his seven assists have also played a big part in Scott Parker's side being in a healthy position in the second automatic promotion spot. The downside of his game is the fact he's picked up ten cautions so far - one of the highest tallies in the Championship.
Who is the Championship's best player this season? Let us know in the comments
Neeskens Kebano
A third Fulham player in the top five, Kebano also comes in with an average rating of 7.19.
The Dutchman has featured 32 times for Marco Silva's side and has nine goals and six assists. He averages two shots per game and attempts 1.3 dribbles on average, in a Fulham side that offers plenty going forward. His 0.2 average of long balls per game also show he likes to keep the ball at his feet and weave his magic. Interestingly, his contract expires this summer.
John Swift
Swift is likely to be one of the most sought-after free agents, if he decides to end his association with Reading. The midfielder's deal expires in the summer and his rating of 7.18 stands out especially considering the Royals' lowly position in the league. Eleven goals and 13 assists (joint-highest in the league) says it all and Swift is unlikely to be struggling for admirers once the season is over.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Another stand-out midfield performer in the second tier this season. Wolves man Gibbs-White has sparkled on loan for Sheffield United, with an average rating of 7.17 highlighting that. His 27 outings have yielded a healthy nine goals and seven assists whilst he averages 2.2 shots per game, showing a willingness to try his luck.
Where he ends up next season will be fascinating, as Wolves surely either have to incorporate him into their Premier League side or allow him to move to pastures new.
Dominic Solanke
Bournemouth's goal machine Solanke has 24 league goals to his name, which contributes to his rating of 7.16. He attempts 3.6 shots per game, on average, perhaps showing why he has so many strikes to his name.
Six assists is a decent return too, for someone who in any other season would surely be in the running for the golden boot were it not for the spectacular form of Mitrovic.
Chris Willock
QPR's Willock clocks up an average of 7.15 and largely thanks to his 11 assists so far. He also has seven goals to his name and in this top ten list he can boast the highest average pass success percentage at 85.8 per cent. He also attempts 2.2 dribbles per game on average, with only two players in the whole division being more direct.
Scott Wharton
Blackburn defender Wharton has been in fine form since making his return from a long injury lay-off earlier this season. He had been forced to watch on from the sidelines after suffering damage to his Achilles during a clash with Brentford in December 2020. He returned to the Rovers side in November and has made 23 appearances to date, with an average rating of 7.15.
That is mostly down to helping the side keep 12 clean sheets in that time, with Wharton posting one of the highest average interception rates in the league at 1.9 per game whilst his average clearances come in at 4.2 per game.
