Football League Talking Points From This Weekend

Here are five talking points from this weekend’s Football League.

Burnley are very much serious

Any lingering doubts over whether Burnley were merely the pacemakers were quashed on Saturday afternoon as Sean Dyche’s men inflicted on Queens Park Rangers their first league defeat of the campaign.

Danny Ings brace secured a seventh successive victory, in the process taking his tally to nine in the league and 13 overall – belittling the loss of Charlie Austin. When Austin moved to Saturday’s opponents there were real concerns over where the goals would come from, yet that unleashed Ings who now looks to have filled the void and then some.

Undoubtedly their winning run will not last forever but there is little indication that they will buckle when things get rocky, such is the spirit Dyche has been able to build.

Yeovil stun Forest

Without a win since the opening day and facing a Forest side flying high, this looked one of the most nailed on away wins of the weekend – yet the Glovers threw a spanner in many an accumulator, picking up a 3-1 victory.

This season was always going to be a huge mission for Gary Johnson’s men given their resources, but there are signs that they might yet put up a fight for survival and are starting to adapt. They have now lost just twice in five games, one of which was a narrow defeat to inform Leicester. Ed Upson’s brace means they are now off the bottom of the Championship table and only a point from safety, firmly keeping their dreams of another year in the second tier alive.

Rotherham hit the buffers

Having gone unbeaten in their opening eight games, The Millers have now lost four in six which includes their latest defeat against table toppers Leyton Orient. In the defence of those defeats two have come against two of the top three and the other two against Swindon and MK Dons sides who will be targeting playoff spots.

Undoubtedly though these results are likely to knock confidence and Rotherham could well be entering their most important part of the season – one which might just decide at what end of the table they will be fighting.

What these results could also suggest is that having punched above their weight early on, Rotherham might just be set for a season in mid-table – no disrespectful placing given this is their first campaign back in League One.

Sky Blues continue to soar

Things off the pitch may be showing little sign of resolving but on the pitch Coventry continue to shine, with the Sky Blues now having won four out of their last five games. Further to that they have claimed some impressive scalps in that run, seeing off an inform Walsall on Saturday and in midweek sentencing Leyton Orient to their first loss. Just as impressive was their draw at Wolves last weekend.

Had Coventry not been deducted 10 points they would currently be occupying fourth position – quite an achievement for a side who have struggled to mount any serious promotion challenges in their time in League One and are having to deal with significant off field problems.

This is a team who are clearly improving and whilst the backroom problems are far from resolved, City’s players at least are providing reason to cheer – it is just a shame that at home their fans are unable to witness it.

Accrington come to life

Without a win in their opening twelve games Stanley looked doomed, yet successive wins has suddenly reignited their campaign – lifted them to within a point safety. After continuing Bristol Rovers woeful run last time out, Accrington produced a stunning result – consigning Morecambe to their first home defeat.

Peter Murphy was the hero as he scored a stoppage time winner which could turnaround the clubs entire season. Having been made to wait for survival until the final day of last season, Accrington look up for the fight again this term – this was a Morecambe side who even avoided defeat on their own patch despite going 4-0 down against Chesterfield, highlighting what a remarkable result this was.

Things get tighter at the top

Saturday’s results mean there is now just three points between the top eight, outlining just how difficult League Two is to call right now.

Chesterfield had looked the side to beat but no wins in five has seen their early season lead evaporate. Rochdale had been the form side prior to defeat on Saturday at a Dagenham side who themselves are coming into the picture, that defeat coupled with Burton continuing their revival with a win over Exeter allowed Oxford the opportunity to claim top spot. The O’s who have been consistently amongst the early leaders duly obliged by winning at Wimbledon.

As mentioned Gary Rowett’s Burton have regained their composure after a stuttering spell and they look dangerously placed, as do Scunthorpe, Dagenham and Newport who have all had a good time of things recently.