EFL Insights: Weekend Highlights from Championship to League Two
As the clocks fall back, the EFL once again showcased its enduring excitement.
Former striker for Peterborough, Hull, and Bradford, as well as EFL pundit for Final Score, Aaron McLean shared his five key takeaways from Saturday's matches across the Championship, League One, and League Two.
Majestic Lions Roar Again
Millwall secured their fourth consecutive league victory with a hard-fought 1-0 win against struggling Leicester City, maintaining their position in third place in the Championship and narrowing the gap to second-placed Middlesbrough to just two points.
McLean: "Outstanding. Millwall is performing as a Millwall team should—showing hard work, determination, and strong, mature performances. They have four wins in a row and appear to be in excellent form, suggesting they can sustain this momentum. It will be intriguing to see where it takes them. I wouldn't have expected this at the start of the season, but having watched them several times, they look ready to challenge for promotion this year."
'Tough to Take for Saints'
Struggling Blackburn Rovers achieved their first home win of the season at the expense of Southampton, who have now managed just one victory since the opening day of the Championship.
McLean: "This is a massive result for Blackburn. Valerien Ismael's interviews leading up to this match indicated he was under pressure and dissatisfied with his team's performance. He needed a display that demonstrated his players were fully behind him and capable of turning their season around, and they delivered. Southampton, on the other hand, seems to take two or three steps back whenever they make progress. Losing to a struggling Blackburn team in this manner was disappointing for their fans, who clearly expressed their dissatisfaction. It’s a challenging situation for Southampton supporters."
McLean's Former Club Posh Continues to Struggle
McLean's former team, Peterborough United, now sits at the bottom of the League One table following a 2-1 defeat to fellow relegation contenders Blackpool, who have now moved ahead of them.
Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson was dismissed later that evening.
McLean: "Missed opportunities have defined their season. They have struggled to be clinical in front of goal while conceding too many at the back. The loss to the team directly below them not only handed Blackpool three points but also the confidence to escape the relegation zone. It's a double blow for Peterborough."
Late Goal Secures Wilshere's First Win with Luton
A 77th-minute goal from Lamine Fanne secured Jack Wilshere's first victory as manager of Luton Town, leading them to a 1-0 win against Northampton Town at Sixfields.
McLean: "Wilshere faced Northampton's Kevin Nolan in this match, and next Friday, he will take on Robbie Savage as Luton competes against Forest Green Rovers in the first round of the FA Cup. However, his primary focus is on starting strong in his managerial career. Although his debut against Mansfield didn’t go as planned, he has had time to instill his philosophy in the players. Securing three points from this game will boost everyone's confidence, including his own, affirming that his approach is effective. It's crucial now to follow this up with a solid performance in the FA Cup."
Gills Missing Absent Boss Ainsworth
After an impressive unbeaten streak of 21 matches, Gillingham has lost four of their last five in League Two, causing them to drop out of the playoff positions.
The Gills have been without manager Gareth Ainsworth since the end of last month, following his open-heart surgery.
McLean: "Their unbeaten run ended in Gareth Ainsworth's last match before his surgery. Since then, they have struggled to secure a win and are slipping down the table. However, they have shown they possess quality players capable of going on runs. Everyone will be much happier once Gareth Ainsworth returns, as his character, personality, and positivity have been significant factors in Gillingham's success thus far. The sooner he is back, the better for the team."
Aaron McLean shared his insights with BBC Sport England's Matthew Cresswell.