Gab Sutton's EFL Winners & Losers - April 21
One former England international comes in for rough treatment this week, as we assess our winners and losers from the latest round of EFL action.
Our EFL pundit here at Free Bets, Gab Sutton, takes a look at another busy weekend of EFL action across the three leagues.
Winners
Mo Toure
The centre-forward position at Norwich City could easily have been dominated by the antics of wantaway striker Josh Sargent, who ultimately got his wish.
Yet despite Sargent’s brilliance in 2024-25, his absence in the second half of this campaign hasn’t been as problematic as initially feared.
Firstly, Jovon Makama stepped up superbly, with the physical striker breaking into double-figures in what was widely expected to be a developmental campaign for the recruit from Lincoln.
Secondly, Mo Toure has demonstrated his lofty ceiling by scoring two hat-tricks in the last 10 weeks; a positive start, for a 22-year-old who only joined in January.
The skilful Socceroos striker could be one to watch next season – when are those golden boot prices out?!
Cardiff
Congratulations to Cardiff City for securing an instant return to the Championship.
Meticulous on coaching detail with a clear and thorough process, Brian Barry-Murphy has brought a combination of engaging man management, developmental skills and stylistic ideals to the Welsh capital as they began their rebuild with a significant forward step.
With the talents of Dylan Lawlor, Ronan Kpakio and Joel Colwill shining through - plus that of the latter’s more established brother Rubin – the Bluebirds have a group with an extremely high long-term ceiling, and they’ll be hoping to continue their upward trajectory in the second-tier.
The promotion came about in exceptional circumstances, though: they’d beaten Reading 3-1, but a last-minute header from goalkeeper Jack Bycroft for Exeter against Stockport meant they finished the job at the Madejski.
Bromley
Bromley’s point against Cambridge on Thursday meant Notts County’s defeat to Barnet secured automatic promotion for the Ravens, who will play in League One, next season, for the first time in their entire history.
Andy Woodman has built an incredibly honest and humble culture at Hayes Lane, built on solid, intelligent out-of-possession principles, a dangerous set piece threat, and strikers who can put them in the onion bag – football sounds simple when you put it like that, isn’t it?
The simplicity and clarity about Bromley’s game, particularly in-possession, has leant itself to a level of consistency that’s seen the South Londoners lose just six times all season.
A phenomenal achievement from a superbly run club – congratulations, Bromley!
Losers
Harry Winks
Harry Winks enjoyed his moment in the sun at Stoke, scoring a goal in Gary Rowett’s first game in charge, tapping the badge to serenade the travelling fans.
Yet ultimately, when Winks has been needed, as a senior player, to step up and set an example to the others, to track his runners, to do all the basics, time and time again he’s been found wanting.
On top of that, after a 1-0 loss at relegation rivals Portsmouth left Leicester eight points adrift of safety with three to play, he had a go back at the fans.
He might argue it was in the heat of the moment, when he was taking some criticism that may or may not have verged on abuse, but the message of pointing fingers at the fans after he’s just been part of a team that’s been effectively relegated on a wage that dwarfs most of the league is… well, not great.
Leyton Orient
After Rotherham’s relegation to League One had been mathematically confirmed with defeat at Wigan, the Millers’ visit to Brisbane Road represented a presentable opportunity for Leyton Orient to bank three points that would do wonders for their own survival prospects.
Instead, the O’s slumped to an unlikely 2-0 home defeat in one of their worst performances of the season.
With 68 goals conceded this season, Richie Wellens’ side have been plagued by spinal instability, and a lack of tactical consistency due to absentees; it may cost them League One status, depending on their reaction against relegation rivals Blackpool and Burton.
Notts County
With promotions rivals Cambridge only managing a draw on Thursday (albeit at Bromley), Notts County had a great chance to leapfrog the U’s by a point, and put pressure on their hosting of Play-Off contenders Grimsby this Tuesday.
Instead, the Magpies suffered successive defeats with a 2-1 loss to Barnet, leaving them two points off and needing their rivals to drop points in midweek to stay within touching distance, moving into the penultimate weekend.
Martin Paterson’s side mustered a meagre nine efforts at goal, as they continue to miss star striker Alassana Jatta.
EFL Betting at Free Bets
Gab Sutton provides weekly football tips for Free Bets, featuring a thoroughly researched longshot acca alongside sharp analysis of the key talking points and standout moments from the weekend's action at the start of each new week.
