The 'most direct' Championship teams - here's where Preston, Blackburn Rovers and Coventry City rank

Alex Neil’s men, like all of their second-tier rivals, have their own style of play, but how much of that involves long passes?

We’ve looked at how many long passes each Championship club has played during the 2020/21 season so far to determine the ‘most direct’ teams.

Scroll through our gallery to discover which teams hit the most – and least – long passes, ranked from highest to lowest:

. SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Alan Browne of Preston North End holds the Mitre Delta Max EFL match ball before taking a throw in during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End at Hillsborough Stadium on January 30, 2021 in Sheffield, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

The most direct Championship teams - here's where Preston North End rank. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images) Photo: Lewis Storey

Swansea have played the least amount of long passes this season, averaging 44.45 per 90 minutes. Photo: Stu Forster

Bournemouth have hit 1303 long passes this season, an average of 41.49 per 90 minutes. Photo: Naomi Baker

Daniel Farke’s men have hit 1388 long passes this term, an average of 44.28. Photo: Stephen Pond

Carlos Corberan’s Terriers have hit 1420 long passes so far, an average of 43.41 per 90 minutes. Photo: Alex Livesey

Reading have played 1424 long passes this season, averaging 43.8 per 90 minutes. Photo: Naomi Baker

Chris Hughton’s Forest have played 1454 long passes so far, an average of 46.45. Photo: Alex Pantling

Paul Warne’s side have played 1466 long passes this season, an average of 49.92 per 90 minutes. Photo: Alex Pantling

The Bees have hit 1501 long passes this season, averaging 47.96 per 90 minutes. Photo: Clive Rose

Derby, now managed by Wayne Rooney, have played 1503 long passes this season, an average of 48.02 per 90 minutes. Photo: Tony Marshall

Swansea have played the least amount of long passes this season, averaging 44.45 per 90 minutes. Photo: Stu Forster

Bournemouth have hit 1303 long passes this season, an average of 41.49 per 90 minutes. Photo: Naomi Baker

Daniel Farke’s men have hit 1388 long passes this term, an average of 44.28. Photo: Stephen Pond

Carlos Corberan’s Terriers have hit 1420 long passes so far, an average of 43.41 per 90 minutes. Photo: Alex Livesey