Who has been the surprise package of the Championship?

Each division of the Football League has its surprise winners and losers every season, none more so than the Championship where some of the country's finest clubs battle it out for a spot in the Premiership. The 2010/11 season was no exception, with some teams earmarked as a surprise package before the first game kicked off, and others proving their worth as the year progressed.



The Championship is one of the toughest leagues in the world of football, and is characterised by a real zeal that other leagues lack as players drive their clubs to the dizzy heights of the Premiership success. This was the case for Blackpool last year, the surprise package of the 2009/10 season, along with Newcastle and West Brom. But what has the latest season brought to the table?



For starters, there was always bound to be bad blood and grudging feelings from Burnley, Hull and Portsmouth - the three teams relegated to the Championship last year - but these teams weren't among those that really shined in the recent season.

For surprise victories coming out of left field, look towards up-and-coming Norwich City and Leeds United - two of the teams promoted from League One last year (along with Millwall), who could be heading for the big time thanks to impressive goals scored by Grant Holt and Lucciano Becchio respectively. That Leeds could succeed in the Championship even after the loss of Jermaine Beckford says a great deal about the current state of the club, certainly one to watch in the next season.



However, for all these surprise successes, the leaders in the Football League Championship were ultimately a little easier to predict. QPR have been a favourite since day one, led by the charismatic Neil Warnock and boasting the talents of Heidur Helguson, Rob Hulse, Paddy Kenny, Wayne Routledge and especially midfielder Adel Taarabt, whose 14 goals were crucial in ensuring the team's success and certain promotion to the Premiership in the coming year.



At the other end of the spectrum, former favourites Middlesbrough and Derby fared less well than expected, their disappointing form placing them at the end of the tables and all but securing relegation if they aren't able to turn things around before the end of the season. With the 8 May deadline close at hand, the heat is on to see which teams will pull a last-minute victory out of the bag.



Daniel Collins writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.