Monk

5 things we learned from this weekend’s Championship fixtures

The latest batch of Championship fixtures have once again conjured up a mixed bag of talking points.

From Preston North End’s impressive home victory against promotion-chasing Brighton, to the much-anticipated sacking of Philippe Montanier by strugglers Nottingham Forest, there was no shortage of action in what is arguably the most unpredictable league in the world.

Throw in a goal-of-the-season contender from Ipswich’s Tom Lawrence, the ever-increasing threat of sleeping giants Leeds and top scorer Dwight Gayle’s worrying injury at Brentford, and we have five conclusions we can draw from a typically exciting weekend of league action.

1. Leeds United’s threat is very, very real

The pressure on the top two is continuing to grow with the winning form of Garry Monk’s Leeds.

The Whites look an unstoppable force under his leadership this season, which for supporters is making a welcome change from the mediocrity of previous Championship campaigns.

A goal from talisman Chris Wood was enough to stretch their advantage over seventh-placed Derby to eight points, and the Yorkshire club are on course to secure at least a playoff place this season.

Derby found themselves overwhelmed by the quality of their opponents, and were arguably flattered by the slender scoreline, as the hosts missed a handful of chances in the first half that should have seen them put Steve McClaren’s side to the sword.

Next up for Monk’s men is a tough trip to fellow promotion hopefuls Barnsley, but after the Tykes’ impressive form was halted by Fulham on the weekend, Leeds will feel they have every chance of overcoming yet another test in order to keep the pressure on second-placed Brighton, who are now just six points ahead of them.

2. Injury to Gayle shouldn’t trouble Newcastle too much

Newcastle United’s return to the summit of the Championship table on Saturday was somewhat overshadowed by a potentially serious injury to the league’s top goalscorer.

The extent of Dwight Gayle’s injury is still unknown, but Magpies boss Rafael Benitez told BBC Radio Newcastle that he had suffered “muscle problems” as a result of the setback that caused his premature withdrawal from his side’s 2-1 win at Brentford.

But while Gayle’s influence on Newcastle’s season so far has been massive, there is no reason to believe that their form will start to slide as a result of his absence.

Veteran Daryl Murphy has performed when he has been called upon this season, and grabbed the winner on the weekend to see his side regain top spot in the Championship after being pegged back early in the second half.

His goalscoring instinct has seen him net twice in his last two games for the Magpies, and with playmaker Jonjo Shelvey now available for selection after his five-game suspension, it seems likely that Newcastle will continue their push for the league title in style, regardless of whether or not Dwight Gayle’s injury turns out to be of a serious nature.

3. On and off the field, Forest look lost

Nottingham Forest’s miserable season took a turn for the worse this weekend, as it was revealed that their proposed takeover arrangement by John-Jay Moores had failed to come to fruition, and the club’s current owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi was forced back to square one in his bid to sell up much to the frustration of supporters.

Animosity from the Forest faithful towards Al-Hasawi is at an all-time high following a less than impressive campaign so far, and with increased speculation that star man Henri Lansbury and prospects Matty Cash and Ben Brereton could be departing the City Ground this month, the near future of the club is looking increasingly bleak.

Following an uninspiring goalless draw with Birmingham City, divisive manager Philippe Montanier was finally dismissed from his post, leaving the club managerless and seemingly aimless as they linger above the drop zone in the Championship with a relegation battle looming on the horizon.

As the club begins the search for a new boss, supporters will be hoping the Reds can regain some sort of winning form sooner rather than later, as they look to avoid a return to third-tier football for the first time since 2008.

4. Brighton are not unbeatable

Arguably the most shocking result of the weekend came from Deepdale, as Preston North End overcame promotion-chasing Brighton to condemn the away side to their first league defeat for over three months.

Goals from Paul Huntingdon and Callum Robinson gave the hosts all three points as the result saw the Seagulls slip back to second place in the Championship table.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton conceded defeat after the final whistle, telling BBC Sport that they were “beaten by the better side” and that a result like this had “been coming for quite a while now”.

The next five games for the Sussex club have the potential to be a stumbling block in their season, with a tough trip to Newcastle United and a home game against fellow promotion candidates Sheffield Wednesday looming on the horizon.

And with the Seagulls’ seemingly unstoppable form being curbed with the unlikely defeat to Preston, it remains to be seen whether they can stay in the automatic promotion places until the end of the season.

5. Ipswich’s Lawrence is destined for the Premier League

Tom Lawrence is a player that is drawing almost universal acclaim from Ipswich Town fans following his inspired performances in a blue shirt as of late.

Arriving on a season-long loan from Leicester City in the summer, he has been a diamond in the rough in an otherwise substandard campaign for the Suffolk club.

Five goals in his last three matches in all competitions has labelled him as one of the league’s in-form players, and in his side’s narrow win over relegation candidates Blackburn Rovers on Saturday he almost single-handedly carried the Tractor Boys to victory.

Two goals, including a second-half screamer from at least thirty yards which proved to be the winner, saw him take his tally for the season up to six.

Lawrence has also been voted as supporters’ Player of the Month on two occasions since arriving at Portman Road.

Recently, he has been the subject of interest from fellow Championship side Derby County and Town’s rivals Norwich City as a result of his stellar form, and many feel that there is little reason why the 23-year-old can’t enjoy a prosperous career in the top flight in future.

Previous Article
Preston North End

Preston installed by Sky Bet as shock favourites for Keane signature

Next Article
, Birmingham: What Were They Thinking? Rowett Sacking Not Justified In Early Days

Birmingham: What Were They Thinking? Rowett Sacking Not Justified In Early Days

Related Posts