Yorkshire Power Rankings: Whose top of the pile in Yorkshire this week?

HULL CITY sat atop the Yorkshire Post Power Rankings last week, but have not played since.
ON THE UP: Bradford City have moved up a place in the Yorkshire Power Rankings. Picture: Tony Johnson.ON THE UP: Bradford City have moved up a place in the Yorkshire Power Rankings. Picture: Tony Johnson.
ON THE UP: Bradford City have moved up a place in the Yorkshire Power Rankings. Picture: Tony Johnson.

There may have been an international break for the Premier League and the Championship, but clubs below that level faced a full schedule over the last week.

Disappointingly for Yorkshire clubs, there were only two wins across the county.

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Some teams have retained their places just by not playing and losing, while others have dropped low as a result of their continued struggles over the last week.

Find out where your side has ranked below:

1: Hull City (-)

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There was no game for Hull over the last week as a result of the international break, but it would have taken something absolutely exceptional to knock them off their perch.

Six wins in a row for Steve Bruce’s side, prior to the pause, have rocketed them to the top of the Championship and shown their credentials as promotion chasers.

They travel to Bristol City on Saturday, and another win there could help them consolidate first place.

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City will also have been boosted by the news that Robert Snodgrass is edging closer and closer to a return after 15 months out.

2) Doncaster Rovers (up one)

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The revival of Doncaster Rovers under Darren Ferguson continued this weekend, as they beat Blackpool 2-0 away from home.

Rovers have gone from a club looking worryingly over their shoulders at the relegation places to one comfortably ensconced in mid-table.

They can now keep looking upwards, and oddly enough, they are only seven points off the play-off places.

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It seems like a big gap, but with much of the season to play, you would not write off Rovers.

3) Bradford City (up one)

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It’s been going well for Phil Parkinson in recent weeks, and Saturday’s 2-0 win against Crewe continued their good form.

The clean sheet was symbolic of the manner in which the Bantams have improved defensively, the basis for their improvement.

Billy Clarke’s goal on his return also suggested City will have stronger attacking options available to them - it was of note that his strike was their first goal of the last six that did not come from a set piece.

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They are now only a place off the top six, and on equal points with Bury. Another improved finish seems on the cards for Parkinson.

4: Leeds United (down two)

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Leeds are slightly unfortunate to drop down the rankings, and only do so because of the impressive displays of some of Yorkshire’s teams in League One.

They were excellent against Wycombe Wanderers in the friendly clash on Friday night, not least because of the professional manner in which they approached the game.

Steve Evans now faces a derby against Rotherham United, his former club, on Saturday.

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He will be hoping to keep up recent form that has caused whispers, however premature, of a play-off push.

5) Middlesbrough (-)

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Aitor Karanka’s side have made an unfortunate habit of losing just before international breaks, making the situation seem worse than it really is.

They may have lost last time out against Hull City, but are still ideally positioned for an automatic promotion push.

Managerless Queens Park Rangers are the next visitors to the Riverside Stadium, and they might find themselves facing off with a wounded beast.

However, do not be surprised to see the beast bite back.

6) Sheffield Wednesday (-)

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The loss against Charlton prior to the international break would have been a blow to Sheffield Wednesday’s increasing confidence.

Wednesday have been one of the surprise packages in the Championship thus far this season.

They are ninth in the division and only four points away from sixth.

The Owls will be hoping to regain their momentum, but the visit of Huddersfield Town could prove a slightly stern test - it is David Wagner’s first game in charge of his new club after two weeks of training.

7) Sheffield United (up two)

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It is not often that a draw will push you up the Power Rankings, but poor displays elsewhere have given Sheffield United a boost.

The Blades really do need to start winning games, as their current position of eighth belies pre-season predictions of automatic promotion.

However, they did do well to fight back from two goals behind against Southend United.

The testfor Nigel Adkins is now avoiding those situations in the first place.

8) Guiseley (-)

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From here, the Power Rankings become something of a catalogue of misfortune.

It has not been a vintage week for Yorkshire clubs, and that can be seen in Guiseley’s 4-1 loss against Eastleigh on Saturday.

Admittedly, the Lions look reasonably safe in 16th, but form has not been spectacular and they could still do with results wherever they can get them.

The visit to Tranmere this coming Saturday might be a step too far.

9) Huddersfield Town (up one)

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Town have jumped up the rankings purely because they have not played a game since the 3-0 loss against Leeds.

In that time, the squad will also have been exposed to David Wagner’s methods.

Town were not doing particularly badly under Chris Powell, with avoiding relegation probably the aim for the season ahead.

It will be interesting to see whether Wagner can inspire more: he gets his first opportunity to do so against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

10) Rotherham United (up one)

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Yes, Rotherham have also moved up a place because the rest of the county have performed so poorly.

They were abject against Ipswich Town, essentially handing Mick McCarthy’s side a win by conceding three goals prior to half-time.

The Millers have made a significant addition this week in the form of Leon Best, formerly of Newcastle United, and may have had an opportunity to work through some of their issues with the time afforded to them by the international break.

Neil Redfearn will be hoping that whatever has done on the training ground, it has worked: they face his former club Leeds United on Saturday.

11) FC Halifax Town (-)

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On any other week, the team that sacked their manager after a 6-3 home defeat would be propping up the Power Rankings.

However, the departure of Darren Kelly is probably for the best, with the Irishman not having the desired impact at The Shay.

Town now find themselves in exactly the same position as a month ago, with a need to bring in another manager to occupy the dugout.

They will need to move swiftly and sensibly, as otherwise relegation truly beckons.

12) Barnsley (down five)

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It is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel for Barnsley.

Saturday’s 2-1 loss against Port Vale at Oakwell was their eighth defeat in a row in the league.

Lee Johnson will undoubtedly be feeling the pressure, especially with a visit to his former club Oldham popping up at what must be one of the more difficult points of his managerial career.

The Tykes need wins, and fast. At the very least, they need to avoid another defeat on Saturday.

13) York City (-)

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York City may still be at the bottom of the Power Rankings, but their 2-1 loss against Plymouth on Saturday comes with caveats.

Jackie McNamara needs more time to implement his ideas at Bootham Crescent, especially considering the low ebb at which he joined the club. Plymouth are also top of the fourth tier.

The Minstermen visit Leyton Orient on Saturday, another team that are struggling slightly.

It would be an ideal time for McNamara to mastermind a first win.