As the season’s run-in approaches, it can only mean one thing: with help from our readers, it’s time for FFT’s annual list of the finest stars outside the top flight
40. Owen Moxon
Owen Moxon of Carlisle United in action against Walsall (Image credit: James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
Paul Simpson improves players out of possession; Moxon, signed from Scotland’s fourth tier, is the beneficiary. He’s still the creative maestro, though, a dozen assists aiding Carlisle’s promotion bid after nine years in League Two.
THEY SAID “It’s brilliant – I just hope no one reports it.” Simpson tries to keep December’s Player of the Month under the radar.
39. Bali Mumba
Bali Mumba celebrates after scoring against Ipswich Town (Image credit: Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
While the wing-back has acceleration that borders on frightening, he’s also well-rounded and very versatile, with a game based on more than simply attacking the flank – his touch, creativity and eye for goal make him an even greater threat veering infield. In truth, he’s already good enough to play for parent club Norwich.
38. Viktor Johansson
Viktor Johansson of Rotherham United in action against Birmingham City (Image credit: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Johansson, an imposing figure and one of the Championship’s top shot-stoppers, gave Millers fans a pleasant surprise when he signed a new deal to 2025, amid reported interest. He has been as reliable as he has busy.
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DID YOU KNOW? As of March 1, no other keeper in the division had racked up 100 saves this term. Johansson had made 132.
37. Leif Davis
Ipswich Town's Leif Davis in action against Bolton Wanderers' Declan John (Image credit: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Club: Ipswich Town Position: Defender Age: 23
Kieran McKenna has switched from 3-4-2-1 to 4-2-3-1, yet his side now get far more productivity from their left-back. Signed from Leeds for around £1 million, the Geordie has both the pace and stamina to dominate his flank, the composure to pick out good crosses and the determination to cover all his defensive bases.
36. Anis Mehmeti
Jaden Philogene of Cardiff City pressures Anis Mehmeti of Bristol City (Image credit: Athena Pictures/Getty Images)
Gareth Ainsworth left his mark on Mehmeti. The dribble king responded instantly if Wycombe lost the ball, preparing him well for a return to the Championship with Bristol City. The Albanian has sublime vision and agility.
DID YOU KNOW? He signed for Wycombe’s reserves from Essex Senior League side Woodford, but was quickly a first-teamer.
35. Ryan Manning
Ryan Manning of Swansea City crosses the ball past Brooke Norton-Cuffy of Coventry City (Image credit: Athena Pictures/Getty Images)
The Irish wing-back still has the forward drive he showed while at QPR, but his much improved awareness under Russell Martin has added goals to his creativity.
THEY SAID “He’s not renewing his contract – I love him, he loves it here, but we didn’t address the situation properly last summer,” said a miffed Martin in February.
34. Sam Hoskins
Sam Hoskins of Northampton Town in action against Gillingham (Image credit: Pete Norton/Getty Images)
HE TOLD FFT There are probably quite a few people surprised to see I’ve scored so many from midfield. I’ve always thought I had it in my locker, but it’s about producing it out on the pitch. I’ve probably been a tad more greedy as well. Sometimes it doesn’t come off and my team-mates might get a little annoyed, but a lot of the time they’ve been going in so they can’t really complain too much!
33. Josh Windass
Josh Windass of Sheffield Wednesday in action in the FA Cup (Image credit: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Playing off Michael Smith, Windass loses defenders with ease. He opened 2023 with five goals in a week by knocking Newcastle out of the FA Cup after hitting
a hat-trick against Cambridge.
HE SAID “I got bored of absolute numpties giving their opinions on football when they have no clue about it” – on quitting Twitter.
32. Oscar Estupinan
Oscar Estupinan of Hull City celebrates scoring against Birmingham City (Image credit: Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
Fans couldn’t believe their luck when Hull signed the Portuguese top tier’s fifth-leading goalscorer from 2021/22, especially when he struck seven times in August to become Championship Player of the Month. The goals slowed but the Colombian’s effort didn’t.
HIGHLIGHT An absurd first-time hooked volley of a last-minute equaliser against Huddersfield.
31. David McGoldrick
David McGoldrick of Derby County in action against Shrewsbury Town (Image credit: Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Restricted to signing free agents, the Rams had to act smart – and they don’t come smarter than ‘Didzy’. The experienced, elusive forward has given Derby class and guile – and, even at 35, the odd turn of pace – as well as 20 league goal involvements so far.
HIGHLIGHT Scoring his first ever hat-trick, so late in his career. And then a second. And a third.
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Huw was on the FourFourTwo staff from 2009 to 2015, ultimately as the magazine's Managing Editor, before becoming a freelancer and moving to Wales. As a writer, editor and tragic statto, he still contributes regularly to FFT in print and online, though as a match-going #WalesAway fan, he left a small chunk of his brain on one of many bus journeys across France in 2016.
