EFL recap: Plenty from League Two, managerial changes in League One, the Championship’s Sheffield Wednesday special, and more from the midweek action
Another late one this week as there were a few games set to be played on Monday and Tuesday this week, but nevertheless, no shortage of entertainment.
It was a week of cup games where Wycombe took Fulham to penalties and Grimsby Town were shrugged off by Brentford.
Read on for Sports News Blitz’s weekly EFL recap, written by Charlie Gardner, to find out what happened in the leagues.
League Two - Spoilt for choice
It was hard to pick a talking point for League Two, so here’s a couple before selecting a single favourite.
Plenty of the matches this week felt uninspiring, with Bristol Rovers losing (and conceding four) to another poor side in Crawley.
As much as this feels like a big talking point, there’s not much that can be said about Bristol Rovers aside from repeating what I’ve already said the past few weeks.
Grimsby Town have also made headlines this season through not only a blistering start, but also their inspiring Carabao Cup run that recently culminated in a defeat to Brentford.
A Jamie Walker brace was not enough to sustain pressure on the top of the league, though, as Stoke City youngster Emre Tezgel’s first pro hat-trick gave Crewe Alexandra a much needed win.
MK Dons also suffered a defeat to Andy Woodman’s fabulously-drilled Bromley side, one that is full to the brim with quality and professionalism. It can be expected that Warne’s Dons should be able to shrug this one off and move on.
Following a recent wobble against Barrow, Walsall have lost in the last minute at Cheltenham in two consecutive seasons, after the Gloucestershire side seem revitalised under new management. Could we be seeing a repeat of last season for Matt Sadler’s men?
There’s only one match, though, that I thought deserved the spotlight this week, purely out of avoidance of making this a weekly Bristol Rovers complaints piece.
READ MORE: Man Utd news: Mbeumo, Cunha shine as Amorim’s resurgent Red Devils overcome tricky Brighton test
Notts County 2-0 Cambridge United: Doing something right
Alassana Jatta is back firing for the Magpies in a calm win that only leaves them two points off the automatic spots.
Cambridge United only sit three points behind them, though, as the league proves to be as competitive as ever.
The match was one that seems not to be as much of a ‘Notts County show’ as the scoreline seems, with Cambridge having applied plenty of pressure throughout.
Since their playoff fallout last season, it wouldn’t be out of order for Notts County fans to expect bigger and better heading into the new season.
In fact, you could say the same for Cambridge United after their relegation ended a four-year stint in the third division.
County responded to playoff failure by making radical changes to the hierarchy, sacking Stewart Maynard and appointing Martin Paterson as a head coach - someone who would be part of a collaborative management process under the newly-formed “Technical Board.”
A controversial decision to say the least, the transition to a collaborative process of management was a decision that made me and many others on the outside doubt County’s chances of success whatsoever.
The proof could be in the pudding with this one, as a promising league position shows Notts County might finally be able to make it a step closer to League One.
Cambridge United also have a decent squad, but one that I feel lacks numbers in the goalscoring department. Low in the ranks for chances created, the side really should create more and ensure they have a proven goalscorer ready to make the most out of them.
Neil Harris is a good manager, with a number of promotions on his CV. His teams pride themselves on being direct and solid, but have also been criticised for an uninspiring style of play.
It was at Millwall where Harris failed to get goals out of Notts County legend Macaulay Langstaff.
Harris is a reliable manager, one who I believe can get Cambridge back up. But what he does need is time. No cause for concern just yet.
With over two weeks off for Notts, I think they can head into their game against Cheltenham with confidence, keeping players fit and having plenty of time to plan.
Meanwhile, the U’s will pay a visit to Salford, a side who, similarly to Notts, have slowly been making their way up the league.
If Harris can stick to his principles, I wouldn’t find it surprising if they could nick points off another well-set side.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Champions League 2025/26: Outright Betting & Matchday 4 Preview
League One: Changes all round
League One also had plenty of drama this week, as Doncaster Rovers made it seven league games without a win against Reading, who went on to sack their manager on Monday.
Huddersfield Town were pummelled by former manager Michael Duff as Wycombe beat them 3-0, and pressure builds on manager Lee Grant to find results.
Amario Cozier-Duberry also continued his fantastic streak at Bolton as he scored yet ANOTHER last-minute worldie to grab the win against Cardiff City.
But here are the two standouts for me this week:
Port Vale 0-3 Stockport County: Hatters go top!
Port Vale’s misfortunes continued on Monday evening as Stockport County managed to shut down Darren Moore’s Valiants in a dominant first-half performance that sent a message to any potential rivals for promotion out of League One.
Both sides went into the fixture with radically different league positions: Vale were down at the bottom, staring back at League Two, while Stockport had their sights set on the top spot.
Both sides shared a common goal, though, to win.
Apart from that, the match was as comprehensively County as it gets.
Stoke City starlet Nathan Lowe continues to impress on loan in a league above last season, with a tidy header opening the scoring.
Long-term player Kyle Wootton scored again for the Hatters and midfield star Jack Diamond also managed to grab one all before the close of half-time.
One cause for controversy came from young forward Nathan Lowe. Playing against parent club Stoke City’s local rivals, he was booked in the first half after a clash with a Vale player who has been accused by some online of being intentional.
Aside from that, the game was set and match by half-time, with the home side unable to lay a finger on the visitors.
With one of the best midfields and styles of play in the league, it’s easy to see why many would watch Monday night’s affair with envy towards the winning side.
Dave Challinor is a fantastic manager, one who has taken County from the National League to the top end of League One - County have done well to keep him around for so long.
County’s squad has also often been one of the best in their league over the years, with their midfield being far and beyond one of the best (arguably the best) in the league.
Meanwhile, Vale sit in the red with a manager who joined on a five-year contract and has received a fair bit of backing.
Darren Moore is a great manager to have at this level, with proven success in the past, but it’s not unreasonable to raise eyebrows at his lack of success so far.
You may look towards an ageing midfield, or perhaps the loss of such a key player in the form of Lorent Tolaj, who departed at the end of the window to join the also-struggling Plymouth Argyle.
However, every team is entitled to a slow run and with Port Vale, there’s plenty of time to sort things out.
Darren Moore is often an attritional manager, enjoying doing the hard yards in the business end of the season, so it’s not at all times to be concerned.
County also got off to a somewhat rocky start, but now it seems they’re hitting their stride.
Word on social media seems to be that if you’re above Stockport County come the end of the season, you’ll be joining them in the Championship next season - it’s easy to see why.
Port Vale have a tricky test ahead of them next in ‘Cozier-Duberry FC’, or Bolton to a layman, who could give them a run for their money.
It’s important for fans to remember where they are and keep the faith for now, I think they’ll be just fine.
Meanwhile County welcome a visit of fellow promotion-chasers Luton Town, a side who can’t seem to be as good on grass as on paper.
For County it’s a perfect time to be playing them, and Challinor can be expected to demand the same levels from his side in that one.
Luton, best of luck! You’ll need it.
Peterborough United 1-2 Blackpool: Fergie’s gone!
A classy finish from Scott Banks secured a valuable three points for Blackpool United, as Ian Evatt’s first game in the dugout proved to be Darren Ferguson’s last at Peterborough United (at least for now!).
Before getting into the juice of the sacking here, let’s look into the new appointment at Blackpool.
Ian Evatt enters a Blackpool team in disarray, as a man who saw it all with them as a player. That’s key.
Coming into the club as a manager that fans already know and like makes the transition all that much easier. They’re ready to listen to Evatt and give him time, but an immediate win makes things so much smoother.
Evatt comes as a manager who enjoys attacking, possession-based football - all the rage in modern successful teams.
Coming into a team like Blackpool who are used to Bruce’s more passive, controlled form of possession-based football, Evatt’s new style will probably be well received by fans who enjoy the aggression, while players also fit the mould of being comfortable on the ball.
While he certainly can’t be devoid of criticism for his time at Bolton, there’s definitely something to be said about how he had them established in the league, consistently pushing for promotion.
Of course, Evatt’s Bolton never managed to get over the line. It would also be fair to say that a side like Bolton being established in the league is the bare minimum, but that is absolutely what Blackpool need right now - security.
Meanwhile, despite the usual investment in young prospects, Peterborough United once again find themselves losing Darren Ferguson after a fourth stint at the club.
But what’s gone on?
Well, it’s simple really, they’ve just not been able to win.
Following two failed play-off campaigns, last season seemed to offer nothing for the Posh aside from a successful retention of the EFL Trophy and an 18th-place finish.
This season should’ve been better, with success on the pitch in more than just the EFL Trophy, a feat which still counts as a trophy but is often disregarded by fans.
Following a rocky start to the campaign (W3 D1 L9), Peterborough United now sit at the very bottom of the league, adrift by five points with no sign of when or where they’ll be picked up.
Having been to Peterborough this season, my personal verdict of the team is one that clearly has decent technical quality, but one that also lacks guile and grit to battle for the three points.
While this could be a squad issue, it’s fair to say that the past two seasons have not been good enough, and a change has to be made at some point.
But who could Peterborough United get to turn things round? Well, the side has had a frequent merry-go-round of managers over the years, with Ferguson having held the role four separate times so far.
Grant McCann, now at Doncaster Rovers, has also had the job twice, but the Rovers fans and board have proven their loyalty to McCann during struggles much greater than the current. He’s not going anywhere.
Steve Evans could get the role, proven to be able to dig teams out of holes, but he seems to be focusing on himself at the moment.
Former Notts County man Luke Williams is out of a job, as is Matt Bloomfield, who struggled to replicate his Wycombe form at Luton Town.
For now, no decision has been made.
A presumably managerless Posh take on a tough Wimbledon side next, while Blackpool take a chance against the strong side that is Cardiff City - big asks for both of them.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED: Autumn Nations Series 2025: Full schedule confirmed for blockbuster November Tests
The Championship: Steel City special
The Championship sides seemed to follow their recent form, with Will Still’s Southampton losing yet again in what’s an extremely disappointing season.
Dark horses Charlton and Hull cancelled each other out thanks to strikes from former Leeds prodigy Joe Gelhardt and Luke Berry in a clash that kept Charlton in that final playoff spot on goal difference.
This week is a little bit of a special, looking towards both the Sheffield clubs and what on Earth is going on over there.
Preston North End 3-2 Sheffield United: What’s the fix?
Preston North End are in no way a side that would typically be my specialist subject.
One thing that could be said, however, is that their turn of form since last season is remarkable.
From last season’s near-miss with relegation to sitting just outside the playoffs, their luck seems as though it might turn this season.
Preston North End are this season a hard-fighting side, one that manager Paul Heckingbottom has left an imprint on the side in a way that keeps them grafting until the end.
These boys really don’t seem to be giving up.
Rarely losing by great margins, it feels as though Preston can look far away from the prospects of relegation this year.
The side’s form has been relatively inconsistent thus far, so perhaps their league position may be ever-so-slightly flattering compared to their quality.
They have played some decent sides so far, though, with a win against a flying Charlton Athletic side and draws against similar-positioned teams such as Hull, Bristol and Middlesbrough proving great results so far.
Can they sustain it? I’m not so sure they’ll get playoffs, but like previously mentioned, I think they’re a far cry better than the Preston side from last season.
Sheffield United started the game well, going two goals up with ease thanks to a well-struck goal by Andre Brooks and some silky footwork from Coventry’s old boy Callum O’Hare.
From there on, it seemed as though the Blades’ season had finally got going, until a short run of calamitous mistakes seemed to ruin their day.
With Preston grabbing one late in the first half, the sides came back out and almost immediately handed Preston the game through an unfortunate Tanganga own-goal to bring the hosts level.
From there, it just felt like United had accepted defeat.
Just over ten minutes later, North End striker Daniel Jebbison rose the highest to nod in to bring the hosts to the lead.
While results and league position point towards an utter disaster for Sheffield United, it certainly feels like they’re not far off finally clicking.
With a manager as perfect a fit as Chris Wilder, United feel as though they are slowly starting to grasp a sense of unity and cohesion amongst the players.
Wins against sides like Blackburn and Watford may be ones that most sides have managed so far, but on another day, this side could have feasibly left Deepdale with a point minimum.
The quality is very clearly there - it’s just about bringing things together now.
The problem is, at what point do things get classed as “right” for Sheffield United? Promotion is almost certainly off the cards, so would it just be looking like a competent side?
Sheffield United head to a fairly decent Derby side next, while Preston get a chance at taking advantage of Will Still’s extremely disappointing Southampton.
Still a tight league with only seven points separating 20th and sixth place, how different could it look come the end of the season?
MORE FOR YOU: Heineken become the global drinks partner for Premier Padel from 2026
Sheffield Wednesday special: WAWAW
Unfortunately for Oxford United fans, the solid performance is not the main story today.
This one’s all about Wednesday, as the club finally got placed into administration, seeing the end of a tension-filled relationship between fans and (now former) owner Dejphon Chansiri.
After lengthy concerns amongst fans surrounding ownership and financial issues within the club, there’s been plenty to talk about with Wednesday.
Fans took it upon themselves to make a change this year, with many fans choosing not to spend a penny at the club.
This season, Hillsborough has not been recognisable as the moody, atmospheric ground that many football fans will imagine it to be.
Out of protest, fans stopped attending, leaving the ground bare, the North Stand’s seating left empty to display ‘CHANSIRI’ painted onto vacant seats.
After a lengthy period of financial insecurity, the club was put into administration, effectively removing the club from the influence of their former owner.
As a result of this, fans have returned to the ground. Seats are filled once again, as Hi Ho Silver Lining once again serenades the team ahead of kickoff.
Fans rushed into the club shop, now willing to spend their money to support the club without issues of who may receive it.
Administration now presents a new challenge for fans, as now the club needs new ownership if it wants to be able to operate normally, otherwise the club is at risk of liquidation.
A club like Sheffield Wednesday, with such scale and respect within English football, should not struggle with regard to finding a potential buyer.
The risk here is, of course, that they need to ensure a new owner is fit and proper in order to avoid any repeat of recent affairs.
The club has since incurred a penalty of twelve points, leaving them with a tally of -6 at this stage of the season, but there’s been great escapes before - could they do it again?
Final words
A hefty one this week, but plenty of great discussion as we encounter more twists and turns in the stories of each club as the season unfolds.
Look towards the top end of League Two and the bottom ends of League One and the Championship in the coming weeks, as I have a feeling that’s where things are going to start looking radically different.
READ NEXT: Horse racing news: William Hill applaud shrewd punter who turned tenner into nearly £50,000
