Sports Mole's Championship Team of the Season

As it always does, the Championship captivated us with its compelling storylines week in, week out in 2014-15.

In one of the closest promotion races in recent memory, it was Bournemouth and Watford who claimed the top two spots for automatic entry to the Premier League.

Norwich City, Middlesbrough, Brentford and Ipswich Town made it into the playoffs and the former two have advanced to Monday's playoff final at Wembley.

At the other end of the table, Blackpool, Wigan Athletic and Millwall were relegated to League One and their places for next season have been taken by Bristol City, MK Dons and one of either Preston North End or Swindon Town.

Here, Sports Mole names its top players and managers in the second tier this season with a best XI, second XI and third XI, keeping a balanced 4-4-2 in each.

You can look back on all of this season's Teams of the Week here.

2014-15 Best XI

Eddie Howe (Bournemouth), Manager

The 37-year-old led the Cherries to their highest ever league finish last term in his first season back in the Championship and it got even better this year for the South Coast club as they won the league on the final day of the season. Bournemouth finished top of the pile playing some fine attacking football - they averaged more than two goals a game - and also kept the second-most clean sheets in the league.

Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), GK Goals were a big problem for the Owls throughout 2014-15, but they impressed defensively and the main reason was a standout season from former Sunderland stopper Westwood. He kept 17 clean sheets in 43 games and was also included in the PFA Championship Team of the Year. This video on YouTube showcases the Irishman's exploits throughout the season.

Simon Francis (Bournemouth), RB One of the reasons for Bournemouth's fluid free-flowing football is the attacking nature of their full-backs. Howe likes his wingers to play fairly narrow and that allows a forward-thinking player like Francis to support in the opposition's half whenever possible. He is an excellent crosser of the ball and set up six of the Cherries' goals this term - only one other defender had as many assists.

Daniel Ayala (Middlesbrough), CB The best defence in the league belonged to Boro, who conceded just 37 goals in 46 games at an average of 0.8 per game. Injury and suspension meant that Ayala started just 30 games, but 14 of their 21 clean sheets were when he was in the lineup. The Spaniard also scored four times, making it his best-ever goal haul in a season.

Christophe Berra (Ipswich Town), CB Statistically the standout defender of the whole season. According to Squawka, Berra made a total of 715 interceptions, blocks and clearances this term - 138 more than anyone else. It all ended horribly for the Scot when he was sent off in Saturday's playoff semi-final defeat to arch-rivals Norwich, but that shouldn't take away from what was a fine season. He also scored six goals - only one defender had more.

George Friend (Middlesbrough), LB Another Boro defender, Friend was a livewire down the left for the Teesside outfit. He provided much-needed width down the wing, but predominantly stood out with his no-nonsense approach at the back. He is strong in the tackle and not afraid to put his head in where it hurts.

Matt Ritchie (Bournemouth), RM Many wondered where Ritchie's name was when the three-man Championship Player of the Year shortlist was announced. The best player on the best team, Ritchie had 17 assists - four more than anyone else - and 15 goals - no midfielder had more. His performances throughout the season saw him earn a call-up to the senior Scotland squad.

Alex Pritchard (Brentford), CM The only loanee in our best XI, Tottenham Hotspur's Pritchard was Brentford's star playmaker in a fine season for the Bees after 21 years below the Championship. Many supporters will remember his Cristiano Ronaldo-style free kicks and five of his 12 goals came from outside the area.

Bradley Johnson (Norwich City), CM Johnson had by far his best goalscoring season as a footballer. The former Leeds United man matched Ritchie's total of 15 goals from midfield, easily beating his previous best of seven. Winners against Brighton and Blackburn, as well as a thunderbolt in the regular season against Ipswich will live long in the memory of many Canaries supporters.

Michail Antonio (Nottingham Forest), LM Forest fans will want to forget their drastic collapse away from the top six in 2014-15, but two of their big-money signings last summer look like astute captures. Britt Assombalonga scored 15 goals before his season was cut short by injury in February, while Antonio was their most consistent performer. He started all 46 games, scoring 14 goals and contributing 12 assists.

Troy Deeney (Watford), ST The first Watford player to score 20 or more goals in three straight seasons, Deeney was arguably the most well-rounded striker this term. He was second in the scoring charts with 21 goals, including match-winning displays in the second half of the season against Wigan, Fulham and Bolton. It will be interesting to see how he fares in the top flight next year.

Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town), ST The Irishman led the league in scoring with 27 goals - six more than anyone else. At 32, his goalscoring prowess came out of nowhere, but his progression at Ipswich under Mick McCarthy and Terry Connor is clear to see after he netted 13 times last term. To more than double that this year was some feat.

2014-15 Second Team

Mark Warburton (Brentford), Manger He won't be in charge of the Bees next season, but Warburton did a tremendous job this term. After ending a 21-year wait to return to the Championship, Brentford looked more than comfortable in the second tier. He made some excellent signings last summer - Jota and Andre Gray to name two - and finishing fifth was some achievement. There will no doubt be a big queue wanting to appoint Warburton, even though his side came up short in the playoffs. Fellow West Londoners Fulham, as well as Scottish giants Rangers, have already been linked with a possible approach.

David Button (Brentford), GK Made more saves than anyone else in his first full season at Championship level. The former Tottenham Hotspur keeper also kept out two of the five penalties he faced.

Moses Odubajo (Brentford), RB Always willing to get forward, Odubajo is another Bee who impressed. He scored 12 goals in a more advanced position for Leyton Orient last term and adapted well in a new right-back role this season. Russell Martin (Norwich City), CB The Canaries captain appeared in all but one of their league games this term and also scored one of the season's best goals with this thunderbolt against Brighton. As well as that, he set up five of Norwich's goals. Steve Cook (Bournemouth), CB Bournemouth's fine season will be largely remembered for how lethal they were going forward, but they also had the second-best defence in the league. Cook started all 46 league games and scored five goals. Tyrone Mings (Ipswich Town), LB Rose to prominence after replacing Aaron Cresswell, who was poached by West Ham last summer, at left-back for the Blues. His athleticism at the back stood out and earned him the September Player of the Month award.

Tom Ince (Derby County), RM It didn't really work out for Hull City's Ince during the first half of the season on loan at Forest, but he excelled at their East Midlands rivals Derby, scoring 11 goals in 18 appearances. If Hull are relegated from the Premier League on Sunday, he'll have another chance to impress in the Championship next season, unless another club thinks he should be playing top-flight football. Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough), CM Deadly from 12 yards, eight of Leadbitter's 11 goals - his best ever return in a season - came from the penalty spot. He was a calming influence in midfield and has guided the Teesside team to the playoff final. Harry Arter (Bournemouth), CM Arter's central midfield partner Andrew Surman took home the Players' Player of the Year award at Bournemouth's recent end-of-season do, but Arter's excellent two feet and regular goalscoring stood out in what was a season to remember for the Cherries. Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers), LM Like, Ritchie and Johnson, Sako scored 15 goals from midfield, despite spending part of the campaign after New Year away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Mali. He can blow a little hot and cold, but when he's at his explosive best, few can stop him. Unfortunately for Wolves, he is out of contract next month and seems set for a move to one of their Premier League Midlands neighbours, with West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa said to be circling.

Patrick Bamford (Middlesbrough), ST Took home the Championship Player of the Year award at last month's gala, but doesn't make it into our top XI. The England Under-21 international, on loan from Chelsea, was certainly one of the league's top talents, but he scored 10 fewer goals than Murphy and four less than Deeney, the other two nominees. Rudy Gestede (Blackburn Rovers), ST Many might expect Bournemouth hotshot Callum Wilson to be here, but Gestede had a bullish season as Rovers' target man. Every week he would be one of the top players in terms of aerial duels won and he netted 20 goals. That's just one less than teammate Jordan Rhodes, who is a proven, top-quality marksman at Championship level.

2014-15 Third Team

Mick McCarthy (Ipswich Town), Manager Watford's fourth head coach of the season, Slavisa Jokanovic, stabilised the club and got them automatically promoted, Alex Neil turned Norwich's season around, Aitor Karanka made Boro the hardest team to score against and Gary Rowett turned Birmingham City into a top-10 side, but none of them make it into our top three managers. Third place goes to Ipswich boss McCarthy. Compare how much the Blues have spent to the first three clubs mentioned above and you can only congratulate McCarthy for getting them into the playoffs. In total, the Tractor Boys paid Â£110,000 in transfer fees - Â£10,000 for Tyrone Mings who's now worth in the millions and Â£100,000 in January for Freddie Sears, who scored nine goals to help Ipswich into the playoffs. It was heartbreaking for the Town to go down to their arch-enemies last weekend, but progress has been steady under McCarthy since he arrived when Ipswich were bottom two-and-a-half years ago. His style of play certainly isn't the sexiest, but he just gets the Championship.

Heurelho Gomes (Watford), GK The 34-year-old signed a new three-year contract yesterday to commit the last of his best playing years to the Hornets. Often mocked during his time at Tottenham Hotspur, the Brazilian will be back in the top flight in 2015-16 with plenty to prove after an excellent first season with Watford.

Steven Whittaker (Norwich City), RB Provided four assists from right-back and also scored two goals, one of which was a key late equaliser at Derby in December. Danny Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers), CB Wolves' season ultimately ended in disappointment, but defensively they were very sound in their first season back in the second tier. Only Bournemouth and Boro kept more clean sheets and Batth was in the top five for both blocks and clearances, according to Squawka. Bruno Ecuele Manga (Cardiff City), CB Won the Bluebirds' Player of the Year in his first season in England. The Gabonese defender proved to be a combative centre-back who wasn't afraid to sacrifice his body to save the team. Charlie Daniels (Bournemouth), LB Three of the Bournemouth back four make it into our top three XIs as Daniels takes the third left-back spot. Francis stands out a little more on the other side, but Daniels tries to get forward just as much and set up four of their goals.

David Cotterill (Birmingham City), RM No player had more goals from outside the box (7) than Cotterill, who also was one of the league's best creators. According to WhoScored, he averaged more key passes per game than anyone else. Daniel Tozser (Watford), CM Began to lose his place in the starting lineup as the season drew to a close, but Tozser possessed one of the wickedest deliveries in the league and scored all five of his goals from free kicks. Alex Mowatt (Leeds United), CM Another centre-midfielder with a fine left peg is Leeds's Mowatt. He and other talented youngsters Lewis Cook, Sam Byram and Charlie Taylor were the bright sparks in yet another troublesome year for the Yorkshire club. Nathan Redmond (Norwich City), LM Look at the stats for successful dribbles every week and you'll find England Under-21 international Redmond there most of the time. He is a livewire down the wing for the Canaries and chipped in with four goals and 12 assists - only two players set up more. He didn't have the best of times when Norwich were last in the top flight, so he'll be hoping to make a better impression should the Norfolk side win Monday's playoff final.

Callum Wilson (Bournemouth), ST Led the Championship's best frontline in his first full season in the second tier. His electric pace worried many a defence and he is a cute finisher in front of goal. Had Bournemouth not gone up, they would have had a near-impossible task keeping him this summer and they might not still be able to even though they went up as champions. Odion Ighalo (Watford), ST The Troy Deeney-Matej Vydra combination that worked so well two seasons ago to almost get the Hornets promoted was reunited this term, but that didn't stop Nigerian Ighalo from becoming one of the league's best frontmen. He finished just one behind Deeney on 21 goals and at one point went on a phenomenal run of 14 in 10 at the turn of the year.