6 things to look out for in the EFL play-off semi-final first legs

From the League One youngsters who could pierce mainstream consciousness to a long-standing Championship beef, here's what NTT20.COM is keeping an eye on...

“You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” — Carl Jung

It is the morning of the dawning of the greatest showdown in the EFL calendar. Nothing toys with the psyche quite like the play-offs, so who better to consult than a shrink? Just don’t ask how we’re fitting fans of all 12 clubs onto the therapist’s couch.

Jung was right, though. You say AFC Wimbledon are perennially superb play-off contenders. You say Coventry may as well have a season ticket at Wembley. You say Sheffield United are allergic to the format. The stories we tell ourselves are one thing, but what these clubs do – and have done this season – is another. Both get our play-off juices flowing.

Here are 6 things to look out for in the first legs of the play-off semi-finals.

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1. The 11 young League One stars who could pierce mainstream consciousness

Ali Maxwell

Yes, we’ve immediately turned 6 things into 16. It turns out there’s a ton of young talent to watch in the League One play-offs, and no doubt scouts of Premier League and Championship clubs will be buzzing between London, Buckinghamshire and Greater Manchester. Here are 11 League One players, all aged 22 or younger, who could catch the eye of the wider footballing public.

Ethan Pye (Stockport)

Pye is approaching 100 appearances for County and has already secured key player status. He signed for the club as an 18-year-old and his progression since then has been a dream: a good National League North loan at Spennymoor Town, a great National League loan at Gateshead, then straight into the Stockport team in League Two and retaining his place in League One. Left-footed centre backs who can defend and pass don’t grow on trees – with the rate of his development so far, and the ease with which he has stepped up divisions, Pye has a very high ceiling.

Thierry Small (Charlton)

After a youth career that took him from West Bromwich Albion to Everton to Southampton, but without many first-team minutes nor successful loans, Small has found a home and a role at Charlton. The 20-year-old is a LB/LWB by trade, but Nathan Jones has got a lot out of him in a hybrid RWB/RW role. He. Is. Rapid.

Jamie Donley (Leyton Orient, on loan from Spurs)

A total of 8 goals and 10 assists – the most in League One – is a strong return for a #10 in his first season as a senior player. The Spurs loanee and Northern Ireland international can handle himself physically, even at 20, but he has the sort of vision and technique that makes the jaw drop. Whether it’s through balls, switches of play or crosses from the half-space, Donley is an excellent creator. He has an eye for the spectacular, too, as Manchester City found out…

Cam Humphreys (Wycombe, on loan from Ipswich)

An NTT20 21 Under 21 selection after only a few hundred senior minutes for Ipswich, Humphreys is another classy, left-sided #10. He is shorter than Donley, but a lovely surprise this season has been his added value in hard work and quality pressing out of possession. An intelligent player who can score and create.

Jayden Fevrier (Stockport)

The first word that springs to mind is ‘jink’. As a lefty playing off the right, Fevrier is a dribbler, full of hesitations, dummy shots and – eventually – crosses or attempts on goal. It was a big step up from Colchester to Stockport last summer, and just as Fevrier was easing his way into it, a quad injury ruled him out for three months – but now he’s coming into the play-offs in great form.