Skip to main content Skip to site footer
General

Five things: Storylines to look out for in Matchday 11

29 September 2017

Derby days, a new boss watching on and the EFL's most experienced strikeforce. All that and more as we take a look at five storylines in Matchday 11.

Derby days start and finish EFL weekend

The EFL weekend gets under way in West London on Friday night, when Queens Park Rangers entertain Fulham at Loftus Road.

The hosts are one of six Championship sides yet to lose at home after five games, although the Cottagers do boast a top-five away record in this division at this stage with eight points from five outings on the road.

On Sunday, Matchday 11 draws to a close in Yorkshire when Sheffield Wednesday take on Leeds United at Hillsborough. The Owls lost there to city rivals United last Sunday and will want to redeem themselves against the high-flying Whites, who lost top spot following a midweek loss at Cardiff City.

Shrewsbury's top 10

Shrewsbury were set to extend their unbeaten record anyway against Doncaster Rovers in midweek, with the scores level at 1-1 deep into stoppage time.

However, Arthur Gnahoua struck his first EFL goal late on to clinch another three points for Paul Hurst's table-toppers, who are now 10 games unbeaten and four points clear of the chasing pack.

“We’ve worked very hard to get where we are and we’ve got to continue to play like this in order to stay in this position,” said Gnahoua post-game, and the next test is at home to Scunthorpe United, who have only lost once this term, and never at the Shrews' new home.

Tyson's a knockout

Nathan Tyson rejoined Wycombe Wanderers in the summer, returning to the club he departed back in 2005. And last weekend, almost 12 years to the day since his last goal for the club, he found the net once again.

That strike helped Gareth Ainsworth's men to three points at Colchester United, and he made it two in two during the week, netting the fifth and final goal of a thrilling 3-2 win over Crewe Alexandra.

Alongside Mackail-Smith, who also has 2 in 2, and five-goal striker Adebayo Akinfenwa, the Chairboys' front three has a combined age of 103. Will experience tell again when Barnet come to Adams Park?

Moore goals for Millers?

Rotherham United were the EFL's top scorers before suffering a midweek reverse at Blackburn Rovers, but the goals are flying in at home, with the assistance of the top scorer across all divisions, Kieffer Moore.

Their first outing at the New York Stadium this season saw them put five past Southend United without reply, and in their most recent two home fixtures, they've registered 5-1 wins against Walsall and Oldham Athletic.

Ipswich Town loanee Moore has eight goals so far, and the next visitors are Northampton Town, who haven't won on their travels since a 1-0 win against AFC Wimbledon back in March.

Making an impression

In League One, Gillingham and Oldham Athletic are on the hunt for a new manager, as are Port Vale in League Two, but Birmingham City have moved to appoint Steve Cotterill, and Chesterfield are due to confirm their new boss on Friday afternoon.

The new Blues boss will leave this weekend's trip to Hull City to caretaker Lee Carsley, but you can be sure that the players will be eager to impress the new man in charge.

And will the Spireites boss be in charge for their home game against Cheltenham Town? We'll have to wait until 2:30pm to find out!


Advertisement block