EFL analysis: Steve Bruce sacked, Wrexham draw, Ipswich win derby and more

In a world where the Premier League dominates all the media, with hundred-million-pound fees and endless VAR controversy, the EFL seems somewhat overlooked at times.

Written by Sports News Blitz writer Charlie Gardner, here’s the first of a weekly series in which all the latest Football League excitement and drama can be found in one place, with a selection of the best moments, biggest results and maybe even who could be the next manager down at the job centre.

League Two: Goals, goals and more goals

Despite often being described as the dingy basement of the Football League, League Two often finds itself home to some of the most exciting and unpredictable situations the beautiful game has ever produced. 

Bromley 3-3 Tranmere Rovers

It would be difficult not to include Tranmere’s 3-3 draw at Bromley, where the home side’s starman Michael Cheek grabbed his fifth of the season, along with Omari Patrick grabbing his sixth for the visiting side, continuing a string of form from the previous season.

While Bromley are certainly no side to be sniffed at, particularly with their home form last season, the start to the season for Andy Crosby’s Tranmere Rovers is one that has dwindled from what initially seemed promising, particularly after a strong summer window.

Notts County 3-1 Oldham Athletic

This weekend was Notts County’s comprehensive 3-1 victory at home to the newly promoted Oldham Athletic, who seem to have struggled to put a strong run together so far in their return to the EFL.

While the winning side managed to keep a hold of striker Alassana Jatta over another window, and despite him netting in the game, his form to begin the season begs the question of whether the Magpies should’ve cashed in on earlier offers or not.

Meanwhile, the visiting side’s slow start could be a mild cause for concern.

However, the loan signing of Michael Mellon (son of manager Micky Mellon) has proved positive.

Colchester United 6-2 Chesterfield

The biggest talking point this week for League Two, however, will undoubtedly be the triumphant 6-2 victory of Colchester United over Paul Cook’s promotion-chasing Chesterfield.

Chesterfield made it into the play-offs last season - something Colchester missed out on narrowly after a strong, undefeated run in crunch time.

With Chesterfield failing to make it to Wembley, this match seemed as though it would be a decent litmus test to see where each side is compared to last season.

After a strong start, winning four from five, Chesterfield have slowed their point-scoring down, but still only miss out on the play-offs by goal distance.

But with a strong transfer window and considering how they finished last year, there is always cause for concern in a promotion-chasing side conceding six goals.

My feeling is that the response from this match will determine whether the project is set to crumble or come back even stronger.

Then times crowned the most depressing club to support in England, Colchester, have been utterly revitalised through the managerial appointment of the Cowley brothers in 2024.

The brothers have brought a sense of fight and togetherness to the club since their arrival.

After a near-miss with the play-offs after a great 2024/25 season, the Essex side have seemed to struggle finding their feet - could this kick-start their season? Or is it just a bad day at the office for the Spireites?

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League One: Bye-bye Bruce!

There was plenty of action in League One this week, with no shortage of surprises or goals.

This week saw teams from all over the table beating each other, in what could possibly be the most entertaining set of results this season.

Blackpool 0-2 AFC Wimbledon

First off, Blackpool finally said goodbye to manager Steve Bruce in what was probably the least surprising sacking yet.

The Seasiders only managed to grab two wins to start the season, despite a strong summer window.

The final straw, it appears, was Saturday’s 2-0 loss at home to AFC Wimbledon, a side who were tipped to be relegated.

While Bruce’s position ultimately became untenable, there certainly has to be plaudits given to Johnnie Jackson’s Wombles. They have defied expectations after having lost some of their star players last season.

Wimbledon now sit in a very pleasing fifth place, above promotion favourites such as Huddersfield Town, Stockport County and former Premier League Luton Town.

All eyes now lie on Blackpool, though, as fans will likely await the appointment to take them out of the relegation spots.

Lincoln City 0-1 Exeter City

Possibly the single most exciting moment in the EFL this season came from Exeter City, who made the long trip up to third-place Lincoln City, a side boasting incredible home form.

A side with little outsider expectation aside from relegation, Exeter have managed to stay out of that by a small margin so far.

With the game looking to finish in a draw, substitute and Premier League veteran Kevin McDonald took a chance from outside the area that wonderfully curled in during the 94th minute - a tidy finish and a worthy reward for some of the best-travelled fans in the country!

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Championship: Documentaries and derbies

Wrexham 1-1 Birmingham City

Yes, plenty of us love to hate on Disney FC, Tom Brady FC, Deadpool FC, the Hollywood FCs - whatever you want to call them. However, there’s no denying that these are sides full of ambition and expectation.

When both these teams played each other last season, the games were full of drama, full of stakes - each team was chasing promotion and seeking to dominate the league.

This season, though, can be somewhat summarised by the result on Friday - underwhelming and a little uninspiring.

These sides have both made some serious investments, and fans who may have grown accustomed to success are starting to turn.

Scrutiny lies on Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, who doesn’t have the best track record in the second tier.

But can you really complain about a man who’s got back-to-back-to-back promotions, even with heavy investment?

The same goes for Birmingham manager Chris Davies, who, after impressing with a record tally in League One last season, has failed to excite so far, even failing to beat a club in turmoil in Sheffield Wednesday.

Tom Wagner, owner of the Blues, is a businessman who wants his business to operate at its best.

He’s sacked better-performing managers before. Could he do it again?

Both sides now sit in the lower end of the Championship despite heavy investment - would a managerial change be all that surprising, or is it too soon?

Ipswich Town 3-1 Norwich City

An East Anglian Derby to round up the matches this week, and what a match this was!

Ipswich Town have just come down from the Premier League, failing to impress in their start to the season despite a strong transfer window that had many expecting them to make an immediate return at the first time of asking.

While Ipswich had only managed two wins prior to this Sunday’s meeting, so did Norwich, with both sides struggling to take a strong foothold in the league this season.

Amongst the three goals for Ipswich was an expert finish from Jaden Philogene, who scored to restore the hosts’ lead just shy of half-time.

After struggling in the Premier League under Aston Villa, the winger managed to find some form under Ipswich before their relegation and is now back in the league where he earned his reputation - certainly a great player to have at Portman Road.

Norwich have struggled to win at home this season, losing all four of their games at Carrow Road, all while only winning two of their away fixtures.

Pressure now builds on newly-appointed Liam Manning, who has faced scrutiny over his willingness to commit to turning the club around.

The man left a play-off-reaching Bristol City for the Norfolk outfit. I can’t help but wonder if that was the wrong decision.

Meanwhile, a win for Kieran McKenna’s Tractor Boys will certainly buy him some time after a rocky start during their Premier League hangover.

A manager who was very popular in the wake of the Premier League, I can’t help but feel like it would be appropriate to stick by McKenna.

Conclusion - A look towards next week

Overall, next week could prove interesting, as many managers face scrutiny already.

Aside from the managers mentioned already, could there be an opportunity for someone else to make an exit?

My eyes lay on Peterborough United’s Darren Ferguson, who has only managed two wins, one draw and eight defeats this campaign so far, with his side sat bottom of the league, although only two points from safety.

There’s no denying it, Ferguson is well-regarded at the club, but how far is too far? Only time will tell.

The Posh face relegation rivals Burton Albion in just under two weeks, but I, for one, think this position could be vacant by then.

Other matches include Bristol City vs Norwich City, as Liam Manning faces his former club - can he get one back on them and get people on his side? 

Manchester United’s victors, Grimsby Town, also welcome a powerful Colchester United to Blundell Park, in what should hopefully be another entertaining, goal-filled performance.

That’s all for this week, though! Make sure to check back in weekly for another EFL fix.

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