Don’t worry ladies and gentlemen, you don’t have to endure another international break for four months or more.
Not only does this music reach the ears of basically everyone on the planet, it’s also delightful information for our delicate little retinas. As we now have to refocus our eyes on the beauty of Championship football.
This week, in the 12th round of fixtures, saw Wayne Rooney and his Derby chums step into the managerial unknown, while another chance for Reading to get their almost non-existent Championship title credentials back on track. was also
So who ended up as the week’s biggest winners and losers? Talk done, let’s find out…
West Brom fully embraced the ‘Boing Boing’ moniker in the early 2000s after experiencing countless Premier League promotions and relegations.
But another team who are absolute masters of being very good, and then very bad, are Norwich. Once again, Daniel Forke’s side – courtesy of victory over improving Middlesbrough – are top of the table, and suddenly everything in East Anglia has become very familiar.
In their arsenal this season is a mini-Olivier skipper, who is enjoying his time on loan from Tottenham.
Not such a good day for Chris Houghton/Nathan Strick/Getty Images.
There was a time where 90 minutes Chris Hughton was thought to be ageless. That was until he took over at Nottingham Forest, when Mother Nature decided to add 20 years to his already furrowed eyebrows.
There is also the small detail of losing games to teams like Barnsley, who are notorious at this level. But, alas, with what Forest produced this weekend, it’s no wonder he’s looking a little high.
Stoke come out on top in seven-goal thriller / James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images
But some talk of the day 90 minutes Towers surround Stoke City and young forward Tyrese Campbell in particular.
If you’re not convinced, he’s actually a descendant of the prolific(?) Arsenal Great(?) Kevin Campbell, and boy does he show it on the pitch.
Stoke’s clash with Huddersfield wasn’t just a seven-goal thriller, it was another example of what Campbell can do – although a respected member of our writing team (and notable Potters supporter) put me in a credulous way. Notified that his two goals and assists had nothing to do with it. Do with Michael O’Neill coming out on top with men.
Who am I to argue?
Tempers flared at Adams Park as Wycombe took on Brentford / Mark Atkins / Getty Images
Last season, Brentford were firing on all cylinders with a dream trio of Said Benrahma, Brian Mbiomu and Ollie Watkins scoring at the shop.
In this season, the bees have lost their sting. With Benrahama and Watkins now plying their trade in the Premier League.
The end result?
Thomas Frank’s side fail to break the deadlock against little old Wycombe. oh
It would be churlish to suggest that Dominic Solanke is fit for Championship level.
But if he’s scored as many goals in two months as he did in 64 Premier League appearances spread over three years, it’s hard to argue against the overwhelming statistical evidence.
Still, it steered Bournemouth towards promotion, and helped give us another reminder that Reading, despite taking the early points, really aren’t much.
Liam Rosnier was the man in charge on the touchline…but Derby suffered another defeat / Alex Bristow/Getty Images
If it had slipped his mind, Derby decided to sack Philippe Cocco as manager after a disastrous run of results.
The decision was made in the hope that the Rams could manage to get a result against Bristol City at Ashton Gate under the guidance of the aforementioned Rooney, Liam Rosenier, Shay Gwynn and some other top marks.
Sadly, things didn’t go to plan – and Derby are still bottom of the league after a 1-0 defeat.