Peach’s Championship Round-up – GW 10

A full round of fixtures and plenty of goals provided a hatful of talking points to go through this week in my Championship round-up.

Hull showed us what you shouldn’t do when passing out from the back, while Gus Hamer taught us that kicking opposition players in the face is a red card offence. Who knew?

Speaking of being kicked in the face, here’s a summary of the key points of the latest game-week for you to dissect ahead of the international break.

Boro struggles

One of the big surprises so far this season is Middlesbrough’s struggles at the wrong end of the table.

The latest of those struggles was apparent against Rotherham live on Sky on Saturday night as they drew 0-0.

Now, if you are going to take positives from more dropped points for Wilder’s side, it’s that they kept their second clean sheet of the season and limited the Millers to barely anything.

However, having won just two games this campaign, this draw leaves them 22nd after ten games, making a promotion push even more difficult and even less likely.

Whilst Wilder is unlikely to be sacked anytime soon, the former Sheffield United boss will have questions asked of him if their poor form continues after the international break.

Morison out

Wow. Steve Morison’s sacking at Cardiff was jaw-droppingly surprising.

To be allowed to sign 14 players in the summer, completely overhauling the squad, playing style, overall philosophy and strategy of the club in the process, you’d have thought that he would be allowed more time.

But no, just ten games for you, Mr Morison.

Yes, results haven’t been great, but you could see the foundations of a good side at play and had the club managed to sign Calum Robinson or someone similar sooner for the 40-year-old, their fortunes may be different.

This decision smacks of a football club who’s hierarchy have no idea how to run a football club.

Morison needed time and this will arguably set Cardiff back if they get the next managerial appointment wrong.

Bore-draw Brucey

We usually talk about Millwall being draw specialists but they’ve been inconsistent and instead have passed the baton to West Brom after their seventh draw of the season against Norwich.

Now, West Brom games are anything but boring given the amount of chances they create week by week.

They sit top of the xG shots and according to WhoScored, average the most shots per game and sit third in the table for shots on target.

There’s no shortage of opportunities for Baggies forwards, so why the draws?

They are solid defensively as a unit, but it seems there’s just something missing for West Brom. Possibly a big Daryl Dike shaped hole in the side.

And, although they need a ruthless striker who will put chances away, at the same time, a ruthless defender who limits their mistakes would also be of benefit.

Plenty of goals this season have been conceded due to a drop in concentration and granted, that will happen for every time throughout the season.

But that’s a major issue in holding Bruce and West Brom back and it could cost the experienced manager his job should things not improve.

Etienne Camara

The magnifying glass is well and truly out for this youngster who made his full debut for Huddersfield in their 1-0 win over Cardiff at the weekend.

Signed from Angers in 2020, Camara has been biding his time in the Terriers B team as he looked to develop in the unique setup at Huddersfield.

That patience looked to pay off as the young Frenchman put in a performance that defied his years and experience.

Starting in a double pivot, Camara was solid, limited Cardiff’s possession based style of play, refusing to allow the ball into key man Calum Robinson.

Winning six tackles, four headers and four interceptions meant that Huddersfield fans can get excited about another youngster who did the job Jonathan Hogg made a career of doing.

Keep an eye on this one, he could be very special.

Iliman Ndiaye

It may get boring putting Ndiaye in this round-up article every single week, but the lad is just outstanding.

We saw glimpses last season, stepping up in the play-off campaign against Nottingham Forest, but he’s now punishing opposition on a consistent basis with his quality.

In the win over Preston, Heckingbottom flexed his attacking options, starting McBurnie, Brewster and Ndiaye with the latter being influential in getting the three points once again.

The Blades are far from a one man team, but Ndiaye is that bit of zest that just makes them pop.

His three dribbles, four shots and hard work out of possession meant Preston were always going to have a difficult day.

Jay Rodriguez

The perfect number nine at Championship level exists and it is Jay Rodriguez.

Physical, composed, relatively quick for his size and technically very proficient, Rodriguez is proving his quality at Championship level.

I picked him out as one of the players in the running for the golden boot in the Championship this season and it’s likely he will finish up there.

With five goals in his last seven games, the 33-year-old has seemingly found his footing again at this level, which has coincided with Burnley’s upturn in form.

His latest performance against Bristol City at the weekend proved his value to new boss Vincent Kompany and this new-look Clarets side.