In the fourth edition of 2021, Playmaker’s hotly-anticipated top four tier Power Rankings measure up some extraordinary runs throughout England's top four tiers. 

The rules are the same, only competitions all teams play in are considered, so no European business or EFL Trophy lark, this is the top four tiers only. Oh and just in case you forgot, a win or loss after 90 minutes still counts as a draw!
 

10th, Blackpool

Last 5: WWLWW

With Jerry Yates downing Portsmouth at the weekend, Blackpool make it four wins and four clean sheets from five and maneuver themselves back into the outskirts of the play-off battle with games in hand.
 

9th, Bolton

Last 5: WWWDW

©Getty / Rob Newell - CameraSport

Four wins in five help Wanderers recover from a poor run and jump back up to 10th, three points short of the League Two play-offs.

8th, Bradford 

Last 5: WWLWW

Life under caretaker managers Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars keeps on improving for Bradford as they move well clear of the relegation zone and close in on the top half of League Two. 

An excellent run was capped off this weekend with a 2-0 win over third-placed Cheltenham proving that this recent upturn in form is no fluke.

7th, West Ham

Last 5: WWDDW

Everyone keeps expecting West Ham to drop off, but it just won’t happen, with another huge victory, this time over Tottenham, solidifying the Hammer’s spot in the top four.

While it would still be a huge surprise if they end up there at the end of the season, this is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable seasons in years for West Ham fans, and everything appears to be going right, as the addition of Jesse Lingard proves once more.

6th, Barnsley 

Last 5: WWWLD

The Valérien Ismaël revolution continues at Barnsley as the Frenchman moves the Tykes from the relegation zone ever closer to the Championship play-offs.

Barnsley clearly have a thing for coaches from the Austrian league after Gerhard Struber’s final day heroics keeping the side up last season, now with Ismaël things just keep getting better.

📈 Most league wins since Valérien Ismaël took charge at @BarnsleyFC (fr. 27/10/20; top 4 tiers):

1⃣4⃣: Man C
1⃣3⃣: Brentford, Norwich
1⃣2⃣: Swansea
1⃣1⃣: 🔴BARNSLEY*, Man U, Doncaster, Oxford, Tranmere

* conceded fewest shots-per-game (8.9) in C'ship in 2020/21.#COYR pic.twitter.com/s1CRTFDvrE

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) February 16, 2021

5th, Leicester

Last 5: WWWDW

Leicester continue their run at a return to the Champions League with a 2-1 away win over Aston Villa featuring yet more goals from midfield as James Maddison and Harvey Barnes again prove this team is no longer reliant on Jamie Vardy.

The Foxes now have a six-point cushion on 5th place, and look far better equipped than any of the sides below them to secure a top four birth.

4th, Forest Green

Last 5: WWWDW

Forest Green continue their promotion form with an impressive 2-0 win over previously top Newport at the weekend, and now sit very comfortably; a point off top with two games in hand, and five from dropping out of the automatic promotion places despite having played a game less.

Jamille Matt bagged his 11th of the season from the spot, and Rovers still managed some free-flowing football despite one of the boggiest pitches you’ll ever see at Rodney Parade.

🥇 Most wins by a single goal in 2020/21 (League One + League Two):

11✅: 💚 FOREST GREEN 💚
9 ✅: Doncaster, Lincoln, Morecambe, Newport
8 ✅: Blackpool, Plymouth, Carlisle, Harrogate, Oldham, Tranmere#WeAreFGR 💚 @FGRFC_Official pic.twitter.com/3DeXt8Maw2

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) February 17, 2021

3rd, Cardiff

Last 5: WWWWW

With the joint best form in the country, things just keep getting better for Cardiff under Mick McCarthy, with five wins on the bounce pulling them up from the bottom half of the table and inches away from a play-off position that had begun to look unachievable.

A 4-0 home win over Preston capped things off nicely with Kieffer Moore managing to net his 14th goal of the season from the spot.

2nd, Manchester City

Last 5: WWWWW

With yet another win against one of the Premier League’s biggest teams, Manchester City continue adding gloss to their record-breaking winning streak with a considered 1-0 victory over Arsenal.

Attentions switch to Europe this week as City face a Gladbach side who have already impressed in the Champions League, emerging from a group that contained Real Madrid and Inter. Make easy work of their German opposition and anything is possible this season.

️⛔️ Fewest league goals conceded this season (#UEFA's 'Top 5' leagues):

15 ⚽️: 💙 MAN CITY 💙
16 ⚽️: Atletico Madrid, Lille, Sevilla
17 ⚽️: PSG
18 ⚽️: Leipzig
19 ⚽️: Juventus, Real Madrid, Wolfsburg#ManCity pic.twitter.com/PUuFIUI2f5

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) February 22, 2021

1st, QPR

Last 5: WWWWL

Things just keep getting better for QPR, who, after an intriguing January transfer window where the board decided to back Mark Warburton, add three points against Bournemouth to equally impressive wins against Brentford, Blackburn and Watford.

The impact of cult hero Charlie Austin continues to be felt, but the biggest difference is at the back, where a switch to three centre backs has seen an impenetrable trio led by the excellent Rob Dickie.

📊Most Championship wins since Charlie Austin's season debut for #QPR (12/1/21):

6✅: 🔵QPR⚪️, Watford
5✅: Norwich, Cardiff, Brentford, Derby
4✅: Millwall, Nottingham Forest, Rotherham, Swansea pic.twitter.com/1NOUnNpsqs

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) February 20, 2021

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