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Sports Mole's Championship Team of the Week

Sports Mole picks out its Team of the Week from the midweek fixtures in the Championship.

The 24 clubs in the Championship have all been in midweek action, competing in the seventh round of games in the second tier of the English Football League.

Nottingham Forest remain at the top of the table following a 5-3 win over bottom club Fulham last night, while Charlton Athletic continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

At the bottom of the table, Bolton Wanderers climbed out of the relegation zone with their first league win of the season, scoring twice late on to beat Rotherham United 3-2.

Despite battling to get back on level terms at 2-2, Fulham's defeat to the league leaders keeps them rooted to the foot of the table.

Here, Sports Mole picks out its Team of the Week.

Dean Gerken (Ipswich Town)
Ipswich climbed up to 10th in the table thanks to a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday evening. Despite the scoreline, Mick McCarthy's side actually had just one more effort on target than their opponents, but a string of saves from Gerken ensured that the visitors did not find the back of the net despite efforts from Sam Baldock and Lewis Dunk.

Steve Whittaker (Norwich City)
The Scottish right-back helped the Canaries to keep a clean sheet in a comfortable 3-0 win over Brentford, keeping them just behind Nottingham Forest. Whittaker also provided the cross for Cameron Jerome's second goal of the evening inside the final 10 minutes.
Giuseppe Bellusci (Leeds United)
The centre-back helped inspire managerless Leeds United to come from a goal down to beat Bournemouth 3-1, firing a free kick into the top corner from distance inside the last 10 minutes to give the visitors the lead for the first time, helping them up to 14th in the table.
Mark Hudson (Huddersfield Town)
Hudson has settled in well at Huddersfield since moving to the club from Cardiff City at the end of the transfer window, and put in another solid performance to help the team pick up a draw with Wigan Athletic. He made a number of vital blocks as the visitors piled forward in a bid to break the deadlock.
Glenn Loovens (Sheffield Wednesday)
The Owls captain returned from suspension to provide leadership and experience at the back in their 2-0 win over Birmingham City, helping restrict their opponents to just a single shot on target.

Alexander Tettey (Norwich City)
While Cameron Jerome's brace will grab the headlines for Norwich, Alexander Tettey's opening goal in the second half launched Norwich on their way to an easy win.
Chris Maguire (Sheffield Wednesday)
The Scottish midfielder put in a busy shift in the second half, having a couple of efforts saved while also sending a shot just wide before setting up on-loan midfielder Jeremy Helan for the team's second goal late on, putting their win beyond doubt.
Tommaso Bianchi (Leeds United)
The winger started Leeds's comeback against Bournemouth, making a break to set up Souleyname Doukara's equaliser in the second half.
Will Hughes (Derby County)
The teenager continues to impress for Derby as he put the team ahead shortly before half time in their win over Blackburn while also coming close to setting up a chance for Chris Martin in the second half.

Britt Assombalonga (Nottingham Forest)
The Championship's top scorer continued his fine form so far this season, scoring a hat-trick as the lead leaders beat Fulham 5-3. The summer signing opened the scoring inside the opening 10 minutes before doubling their lead from the penalty spot later in the first half. He completed the hat-trick after his header hit the post, allowing him to fire in the rebound from close range.
Jamie Ward (Derby County)
The striker scored a brace and set up Will Hughes's goal in Derby's 3-2 win over Blackburn Rovers last night as he returned to the side following a hamstring injury. He could have completed a hat-trick late on but for a solid save from Paul Robinson.

Numpty of the week:

Tony McMahon: The Blackpool man gave away a penalty in the Seasiders' match against Watford, allowing Matej Vydra to score the only goal of the match from the spot, sealing all three points for the visitors.

Goal of the week:

Giuseppe Bellusci (Leeds United) vs. Bournemouth The defender's curling free kick from 30 yards out left Lee Camp no chance in the Bournemouth goal to put Leeds ahead.

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Jamie Ward of Derby County celebrates his goal infront of the travelling fans during the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Derby County at Ewood Park on September 17, 2014
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd22155232112148
2Leeds UnitedLeeds22136341152645
3Burnley2212822891944
4Sunderland22127334181643
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2111462518737
6Middlesbrough22105738281035
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom22811326161035
8Watford2110473028234
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds229582830-232
10Millwall217772118328
11Swansea CitySwansea227692424027
12Bristol City226972628-227
13Norwich CityNorwich226883734326
14Queens Park RangersQPR2251072328-525
15Luton TownLuton2274112538-1325
16Derby CountyDerby2266102728-124
17Coventry CityCoventry2266102834-624
18Preston North EndPreston2241172229-723
19Stoke CityStoke2257102330-722
20Portsmouth204882535-1020
21Hull City2247112131-1019
22Cardiff CityCardiff2146111934-1518
23Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2146112137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2146112245-2318


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