Power Rankings: Who is up and who is down among Yorkshire’s leading clubs

There is a staggering contrast in the fortunes of Yorkshire’s clubs this week, with either great success or utter failure befalling nearly all of them.
TOP DOGS: Hull City's Sam Clucas, left, and Brentford's Nico Yennaris challenge for the ball at Griffin Park on Tuesday night. Picture: Yui Mok/PA.TOP DOGS: Hull City's Sam Clucas, left, and Brentford's Nico Yennaris challenge for the ball at Griffin Park on Tuesday night. Picture: Yui Mok/PA.
TOP DOGS: Hull City's Sam Clucas, left, and Brentford's Nico Yennaris challenge for the ball at Griffin Park on Tuesday night. Picture: Yui Mok/PA.

At the top of the rankings sit the usual suspects, but have Sheffield Wednesday retained the spot they won last week?

Find out below as we take you through The Yorkshire Post Power Rankings.

1: Hull City (up one)

FINALLY: Leeds celebrate their first home win since March 4.  Picture: Bruce Rollinson.FINALLY: Leeds celebrate their first home win since March 4.  Picture: Bruce Rollinson.
FINALLY: Leeds celebrate their first home win since March 4. Picture: Bruce Rollinson.

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When we began The Yorkshire Post Power Rankings, the one thing we called on Hull to do was show more consistency.

They’ve finally managed to put a run together, no doubt buoyed by last week’s victory against high-flying Leicester City.

Not only are they now atop the Power Rankings, but they are first in the Championship.

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Two wins against MK Dons and Brentford over the last few days were integral to the Tigers sitting on top of the pile.

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If Steve Bruce’s side can keep it up, promotion looks likely.

2) Middlesbrough (up one)

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Middlesbrough have finally shaken off those international break blues, putting a run of form together that has propelled them to fourth in the Championship, only a point off top spot.

Along the way, they managed a famous victory at Old Trafford, beating Louis van Gaal’s side after a penalty shootout.

That means they are through to the League Cup quarter final. They’ve also taken maximum points from their games against Charlton and Rotherham.

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It’s good to see two Yorkshire sides so close to the top. Boro will be hoping to press on now and avoid the lottery of the play-offs.

3) Sheffield Wednesday (down two)

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It’s unfortunate for Sheffield Wednesday that everyone around them has performed so well, because in most weeks, a win and a draw against the then-league leaders would be enough to keep you on top.

However, Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Brighton knocks them down a peg or two.

Wednesday are still performing well above expectations this season, and are only a point behind Birmingham in sixth place.

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They’re unbeaten in nine in the league, suggesting they could be real contenders for promotion this season.

4) Bradford City (up two)

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After no losses in their last five, City have built a solid foundation from which they can go forward this season.

Their assistant manager spoke last night about the need for the team to defend as a unit, something they have clearly put into practice.

They earned a solid point away from home against Millwall on Saturday, and back at Valley Parade on Tuesday, they ground out a 1-0 win against Blackpool.

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It included a goal straight from the training ground, James Hanson rising highest to nod home from a corner kick.

5) Leeds United (-)

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How Leeds have retained their place is a question for the rest of Yorkshire, because on paper they are a club once again in chaos.

A mooted takeover bid from Leeds Fans United has been scuppered by owner Massimo Cellino, they collapsed in staggering fashion against Cardiff City on Thursday last week, and the club had to turn to a priest to bless the pitch.

However, they did manage to win at home for the first time in eight months on Tuesday night, which is why they rank so highly.

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They’ve also not sacked or appointed anyone in the last week, which is a slight improvement.

6) Guiseley (up two)

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Finally, Guiseley.

The Lions had not won in the league since September 15 prior to the visit of Welling United to Nethermoor Park.

Guiseley’s situation was looking troubling, the club edging closer and closer to a relegation battle.

However, a 2-0 victory against Welling has alleviated the pressure somewhat, moving them above Saturday’s opposition into 17th in the league.

7) Doncaster Rovers (up five)

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Darren Ferguson may have struggled in his first few games in charge, but his team were far better in the 2-0 win against Colchester on Saturday.

Defeats against Peterborough and Millwall had left Rovers perilously close to the bottom of League One, but they are now 18th.

However, that means they are only four points above bottom spot, so the momentum needs to be carried on.

Ferguson has shown he can get results at the Keepmoat Stadium - he needs to keep doing so.

8) Huddersfield Town (down one)

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A loss and a draw did not seem to be the end of the world for Town, until they took the decision to sack manager Chris Powell early on Wednesday.

Powell was not removed from his post due to results, but for failing to meet certain targets set by the club.

With a huge local derby against Leeds United on Saturday, Dean Hoyle will need to make a swift appointment.

9) Sheffield United (-)

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Same old, same old for the Blades, who continue to struggle to win games.

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Another loss against bottom side Crewe Alexandra on Saturday is just further evidence of a team struggling to match up to pre-season expectation.

The Blades are eighth in League One, when everyone at the club openly talks about the need to gain automatic promotion this season.

They are on cup duty over the next week, meaning that they will be left stewing on their league performance for a while yet.

10) FC Halifax Town (down six)

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After a big climb last week, the Shaymen are once again heading down.

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They are still struggling horrifically in the league, and manager Darren Kelly will need to turn things around soon.

Town lost 2-1 against Eastleigh on Saturday.

Kelly’s side are now in a guaranteed relegation battle, bottom of the Conference, and only a sudden improvement will change the feeling that they will be in the Conference North next season.

11) Rotherham United (down one)

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Neil Redfearn’s difficult start at Rotherham continued this weekend with another loss.

A 3-0 defeat against Derby County is a result that looks worse on paper than it is in reality - they were away from home at one of the division’s best sides.

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It did not get any easier against Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, who they lost 1-0 to.

Yes, Redfearn has excuses, but he’ll be wanting a win soon to show fans of the Millers that he can achieve what is asked of him: keeping Rotherham in the Championship.

12) York City (down one)

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Another loss for the Minstermen at the weekend, this time against Crawley Town, has increased the feeling that they are in trouble.

However, they made an appointment on Wednesday, giving the manager’s post to Jackie McNamara.

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McNamara’s record at both Partick Thistle and Dundee United is relatively good, but he’s got a job on his hands.

York are 22nd in League Two and dropping swiftly. Falling out of the Football League is not worth considering.

13) Barnsley (down two)

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Nine losses on the bounce for Lee Johnson in the league means that the pressure is on.

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Scunthorpe has been followed by a 4-3 loss against Coventry on Tuesday night.

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Admittedly, both games have been on the road, but Oakwell has not exactly been a happy hunting ground for the Tykes.

22nd in League One is not a position any club would want to find itself at this point of the campaign.