The round eleven and the final matches in the Sky-Bet Championship before the break for the Internationals were played. Here we’ll tell you who’ s bottom of the table and who is top. We also have the first 2 sackings of the season in the division to announce. Plus, there are some managers don’t want the break to come.
There is also another win for Rafa Benitez and his Newcastle team, the resurgent Leeds United and their manager Gary Monk. Moreover, we learn yet another BIG name from the Daily Telegraph sting involving alleged corruption in football. There’s never a dull week in the Sky Bet Championship!
#1 Villa and Cardiff run out of patience
Roberto di Matteo’s managerial stint at Aston Villa is over. The 46-year-old has been sacked after just 1 win in 11 games. The final straw for the Villa board was the 2-0 defeat away at Preston North End that saw the club down in 19th position in the Championship.
The Midlands club have had 5 managers within the last 12 months with Di Matteo the latest, managing a just 124 days in charge before his sacking this weekend. Villa released this statement on October 3rd:
"The club decided to act following a run of disappointing results which has the left the team occupying 19th position. The club would like to place on record its appreciation to Roberto for all his efforts in helping rebuild the squad."
The early favourites for the position include former Birmingham City boss, Steve Bruce and previous manager Tim Sherwood. Steve Clarke, Di Matteo’s assistant manager has been put in temporary charge until a permanent successor can be found.
Over the border, Head Coach Paul Trollope has been sacked by struggling South Wales club, Cardiff City. They currently lie second bottom of the Championship table with just 6 points and 7 losses from their first 11 games. Trollope was in his job for just 5 months.
A statement from the Welsh club was released on Tuesday afternoon:
“We’d like to thank Paul for his efforts and wish him the very best of luck for the future. An announcement regarding Paul’s successor will be made in due course.”
Fortunately for both clubs, there is an international break this weekend. This should, therefore, give them some time to assess their candidates, draw up a shortlist and look to appoint a replacement in the coming weeks.
#2 Off-field events overshadow Leeds and Barnsley clash
One of the form teams of the division, Leeds United, claimed another positive result by beating fellow Yorkshire club, Barnsley 2-1 in a tight contest at Elland Road. But it is off the field where both sides are having problems. UK Paper, the Telegraph named Barnsley Assistant Manager Tommy Wright and Leeds owner Massimo Cellino in their investigations into alleged corruption in football.
Barnsley moved quickly last week and sacked Wright after cash for transfer allegations. Leeds owner Cellino was filmed allegedly showing undercover reporters a way to get round FA and FIFA third-party ownership rules. Leeds spokespersons have suggested that it is a “Non-story”.
On the field however, chances were restricted and neither goalkeeper was really made to work until the first goal on 36 minutes. Kyle Bartley managed to get the final touch to a corner to make it 1-0. Pablo Hernandez doubled the lead on 54 minutes when he slotted home a long ball. An own goal on 70 minutes from Charlie Taylor was nothing more than a consolation for Barnsley, who stay in 10th place.
Leeds boss Gary Monk was happy with his players and their form, but suggests the International break has come at the wrong time:
"Overall we're very pleased with the result and with the way this period of games has gone. It's a shame the international break has come. The last one we went in with a loss and felt it had come at the right time, but now we want the games to keep coming."
#3 Norwich City keep up the pace
This weekend saw an impressive victory for Norwich City, winning 2-1 away at Wolverhampton Wanderers. They could have been forgiven for stumbling in this match, given their heartbreaking last-gasp loss to Newcastle United last Wednesday 4-3.
However, the result never looked in any doubt once Robbie Brady curled one past Carl Ikeme on 73 minutes for the Canaries’ second goal. The first coming from the head of Cameron Jerome in just the second minute of the game. A consolation from Dave Edwards in the 80th minute was all that Wolves could get from the contest.
That was their 5th win in 6 matches and are no doubt the in-form team and their boss Alex Neil will not want any break in the Championship while his side are in such good form. Norwich City lie in 2nd place in the table on 23 points, 1 point above Newcastle and 2 points below Huddersfield Town.
Their next 2 matches are against bottom half oppositions. First, they welcome Rotherham United who lie at the foot of the table, then they meet Fulham who have had an inconsistent start and currently lie in 14th. Will the break see them falter, or will Neil’s men continue their strong form?
#4 Newcastle win leaves Rotherham rock bottom
A world class strike from Chelsea loanee Christian Atsu ensured Newcastle’s good form continued ahead of the International break. The 24-year-old cut inside from the right and fired in a ferocious drive that arrowed into the top corner. Another win for the Magpies sees them consolidate their 3rd place in the League and Rafa Benitez happy with the result rather than the performance:
"It was a great, great goal. We won against a good team. I said before that (Rotherham) don't deserve to be where they are. They were pushing and pushing us and with that kind of play they will win games and be higher in the table.
"To get three points is what you have to do. We can try to play nice football but sometimes it is not enough. The game plan was to work hard and do our best in terms of physicality and tempo and then after that use your quality. That is what we did."
The defeat for Rotherham United leaves them rooted to the bottom of the Sky Bet Championship with just 6 points from 11 games. With this week seeing the first and second managerial sackings in the division, is it only a matter of time before Alan Stubbs is shown the door by the Millers hierarchy?
#5 Huddersfield Town hold their grip at the top
A narrow win at struggling Ipswich Town meant that the Terriers’ were able to hold on to their position at the top of the Sky Bet Championship. A single headed goal by Christopher Schindler in the second half of an even game was enough for them to register their 8th win from 11 games.
Despite losing the last 2 away matches in the Championship, their last 7 games have yielded 4 clean sheets with only 3 goals conceded. Boss David Wagner praised his player’s togetherness after the match:
"I am very surprised as the only teams who could have expected this start is Newcastle, Norwich and Aston Villa. But I am not surprised by how my players are working together and how fit they are. In football, it is all about the little details and getting these details right to win games.”
After the International break, Huddersfield have 3 games in just 6 days. Firstly, they welcome Sheffield Wednesday for a Yorkshire derby and then the travel to Deep-dale just 3 days later to play Preston North End. Finally, they are home again to play struggling Derby County.
For more articles like this and all news related to the wide world of football, please click here.
