Our West London Championship XI based on the season so far

With our clubs now able to take stock during the international break, we’ve compiled what we think is the best XI from west London’s Championship sides based on the season so far.

Brentford’s hugely promising start to the campaign is reflected in the fact that our line-up includes seven Bees players.

We’ve also listed four players we think might be ones to watch during the next month or so.

Here’s our selection:

Dan Bentley (Brentford)

Alex Smithies and David Button have performed very well for QPR and Fulham respectively, but Bentley has been absolutely brilliant since taking over from Button as Brentford’s number one. The 23-year-old keeper looks destined for the top.

Maxime Colin (Brentford)

The Frenchman has been dependable for Brentford this season and scored his first goal for the club in the recent 4-1 win against Reading. None of Fulham or Rangers’ options at right-back have been as convincing so far.

John Egan (Brentford)

Egan has been excellent since his summer move to Griffin Park and is an asset in both boxes. The Irish centre-back scored 11 times during his two-year spell at Gillingham and has already got three goals for the Bees.

Harlee Dean (Brentford)

Dean’s consistency sees him take the second centre-back place here. Michael Madl made a fine start to the season for Fulham, as did on-loan Chelsea defender Tomas Kalas alongside him. It was a similar story at QPR with Steven Caulker and Grant Hall. But while those players have been up and down, Dean’s performance levels have remained steady.

Jake Bidwell (QPR)

Speaking of steady, Bidwell has hardly set the world alight since arriving at Loftus Road and QPR fans might be surprised to see him listed here. But a knee problem means the promising Callum Elder, signed on loan by Brentford to replace Bidwell, has been restricted to just one appearance in September, while Scott Malone hasn’t looked convincing for Fulham.

Tom Cairney (Fulham)

Even during a recent bad spell for Fulham, Cairney has continued to impress. He’s been a handful for full-backs and caused problems when drifting in off the flank to pick up space. And he’s scored important goals, netting the winner at Blackburn and earning points for his team at Nottingham Forest and Leeds.

Ryan Woods (Brentford)

The signing of Woods from Shrewsbury last year was a master stroke. Just 22, he has already shown he is capable of running a Championship midfield. Combative and with an excellent range of passing, Woods has been west London’s stand-out Championship midfielder by some distance.

Massimo Luongo (QPR)

Luongo has gone the extra mile in proving to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink he can be the physical, hardworking midfielder the QPR boss wants him to be. Suddenly the Australian is a midfield workhorse and his recent performances have been exceptional, although it would be a shame if this is all at the long-term expense of his creative side.

Lewis Macleod (Brentford)

Another young Brentford player showing immense promise. After an injury-plagued 18 months following his move from Glasgow Rangers, Macleod, 23, has really looked the part this season and his career appears to be heading in the right direction again.

Tjaronn Chery (QPR)

Not as effective in the last couple of games – although he did set up the winner against Fulham on Saturday – but Chery has been QPR’s talisman in the number 10 role. The Dutchman, who scored 10 goals last season, already has four this term, the pick of the bunch being a stunning free-kick against Blackburn.

Scott Hogan (Brentford)

Of course. With seven goals this season – and 14 during 2016 – Hogan has been in a league of his own since battling back from a long spell on the sidelines. He not only scores goals, he can create them, hold the ball up, link play, pull out wide – the lot. This guy is something special.

Ones to watch in October

Yeni Ngbakoto (QPR)

The French winger, Rangers’ flagship summer signing, has not really got going since his arrival from Metz. His father recently died and the player has also been affected by a thigh problem.

Idrissa Sylla (QPR)

Sylla’s winner against Fulham on Saturday was his second goal since arriving in west London. He offers more pace and movement than Sebastian Polter, so if he can match the German’s work-rate there is every chance he could hold down a regular place.

Sullay Kaikai (Brentford)

The winger has looked exciting in patches since his loan move from Crystal Palace and there could be more to come.

Jozabed (Fulham)

The Spanish playmaker is still adjusting to English football following his recent move from Rayo Vallecano. He has bundles of ability and can certainly strike a ball.