Parkin's EFL takeaways: Huddersfield's form, Derby's struggles and QPR's statement win
Sam Parkin assesses Huddersfield's strong League One start, Cheltenham's revival under Steve Cotterill, Derby's winless run, Norwich's much-needed victory and QPR's 5-0 rout of Swansea.
Huddersfield Town are setting the pace in League One, having won four of their past five matches and remained unbeaten since a defeat by Bromley on 19 September. Their latest result was a 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic, with Derensili Sanches Fernandes on the scoresheet again. Pundit Sam Parkin said he had been impressed by the Terriers and singled out Sanches Fernandes, describing him as looking too good for the level and suggesting he may be the best player in the division. Parkin also praised the recruitment and said Martin Drury's side appear to have the credentials for promotion.
Cheltenham Town climbed to third after a 1-0 win over in-form Newport County, with Charlie McCann scoring the decisive goal. Parkin said Steve Cotterill had done a remarkable job since returning for a second spell, given how adrift the club was when he took over last season. He called McCann one of the stories of the season and noted that Cheltenham missed him during a recent suspension. According to Parkin, Cotterill's teams remain hard to play against, but he has also been struck by their work in possession.
Derby County remain 23rd in the Championship after a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United and have not won a league game since 1 September. Parkin said Derby would be disappointed to take only a point, though he credited goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom with heroics to preserve it. He pointed to injuries and the failure of a hoped-for summer takeover as factors, and said he believes John Eustace can turn the situation around.
Norwich City ended a five-match losing run by coming from behind to win at Charlton Athletic, easing pressure on head coach Philippe Clement. Parkin said Norwich must hope the result is a turning point and noted their next two games, against Watford and Derby, are winnable on paper. He described their defensive problems as surprising given the similarity in personnel to last season, and cited the absences of Mohamed Toure, Ali Ahmed and Kenny McLean as mitigating factors. He added that defeat at Charlton would have made Clement's position difficult.
QPR produced a statement 5-0 win over high-flying Swansea City at Loftus Road, with Richard Kone scoring a 15-minute hat-trick for his first goals since April. The Hoops sit eighth and have lost only one of their past six. Parkin said he was pleased for Kone, a player he rates highly, but argued the striker needs consistency in the Championship. He called the result an enormous confidence boost and a statement win after the Birmingham defeat, and said Kone could be a difference maker in a play-off push.
