Fans have been voting for the best defensive partnership in the Championship, including players from Leeds United, Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion.
Leeds United’s Kyle Bartley in action with QPR’s Sebastien Polter
Over the course of the weekend, fans have been taking part in a HITC Sport poll, voting for the defensive pairing they believe is the best in the Championship. Top partnerships from clubs such as Leeds United, Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion were selected.
But which pair took the top spot? Here’s a rundown of how the votes panned out, and who came away as the fan-voted best defensive pairing in the Championship…
3. Shane Duffy & Lewis Dunk (Brighton and Hove Albion) – 15%
Brighton’s Lewis Dunk celebrates with team mates
The Brighton defenders have been vital to Chris Hughton’s push for promotion this season, helping the Seagulls fight their way to second place in the Championship this season. Playing a style of counter-attacking football, not unlike teams such as Burnley and Leicester City last season, Brighton’s football is built from the back, and it’s because of players like Duffy and Dunk that they’ve had so much success.
2. Jamaal Lascelles & Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United) – 31%
Newcastle United’s Jamaal Lascelles
Newcastle United’s defensive pair have been sensational this season, and have had to fend off tough competition to keep their places at the heart of Newcastle United’s defence this season. Competing with new signing Grant Hanley from Blackburn Rovers, as well as Chancel Mbemba, Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles and new signing Ciaran Clark have been unmovable for the Magpies this year, and are likely to keep their places in the side should the Toon Army be promoted this season.
1. Kyle Bartley & Pontus Jansson (Leeds United) – 54%
Leeds United’s Pontus Jansson
Storming the vote with 54%, fans have voted Leeds United pair Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson as the best defensive pairing in the Championship. The Swansea City loanee Bartley, and Swedish giant Jansson, both joined Leeds on loan at the beginning of the season, with the latter going on to sign a pre-contract agreement to join the Whites permanently at the end of the current campaign. Together, they have formed one of the most menacing and tough defensive partnerships that the Championship has seen in a long time, and have played a massive part in Leeds’ push for promotion.
Kyle Bartley of Leeds United in action with Rajiv van La Parra of Huddersfield Town
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