Gab Sutton's EFL Winners & Losers - August 23-24
Gab Sutton 
It was another busy weekend for football punters and betting sites, with the Championship, League One and League Two delivering a full round of fixtures.
And Free Bets EFL pundit Gab Sutton breaks down his winners and losers from the weekend.
Winners
Coventry
Coventry were already having a great weekend, with the fantastic news that the club had formally bought the CBS Arena, giving them a home that they owned for the first time in 20 years.
The Sky Blues enjoyed that news in style, as Frank Lampard’s side thumped QPR 7-1, as the attacking quartet of Brandon Thomas-Asante, Jack Rudoni, Ephron Mason-Clark and Haji Wright worked their magic.
And magic was the word, because it felt as though every shot they took seemed to fly in.
It won’t be like that every week for Cov, but for now it was one to savour, as the Midlanders underlined their promotion credentials.
Next Game
Northampton Town
Northampton had found themselves on the wrong side of fine margins against Lincoln in midweek, but on Saturday, they got their just desserts.
Ethan Wheatley fired them ahead with a lovely solo goal just two minutes in, before Max Dyche, a chip off the old block, turned home from close range just after the quarter-hour mark, to give them a comfortable lead.
Dyche won the official man of the match award in front of his father, ably flanked by Conor McCarthy and Nesta Guiness-Walker, and protected by Terry Taylor, in a compact defensive setup.
The structure leant the Cobblers a stability that allowed Tyrese Fornah to thrive, as the left of two number tens.
Fornah does dwell on the ball a lot, and in a better team that wants the ball to be moved more quickly, he might not be as effective, but in a more limited Northampton side they’re happy for him to be the star of the show.
And that he was – his ball-carrying was a joy to watch, and he could bring that touch of individual flair that makes the difference for Teyn.
Next Game
Gillingham
Gillingham continued their unbeaten start to the season, and record under Gareth Ainsworth, with a 1-0 victory over leaders Crewe.
The Gills looked set for a draw before talented defender Sam Gale popped up with the winner one minute from time, to cap a strong start to the season from the Kent outfit.
Ainsworth’s side have conceded just three goals from their first five games, and could be hard to beat this season, especially with the work ethic and destructive qualities of Ethan Coleman at the base of midfield.
Next Game
Losers
QPR
The coaching ability of Marti Cifuentes is believed, by some, to have masked certain imbalances and imperfections in this QPR squad over the last two seasons.
So, now Cifuentes has gone, the West Londoners could be in trouble if Julien Stephan is unable to bring the same qualities.
As such, a 7-1 drubbing by Coventry, which leaves the Rs with a solitary point to their name from their first three games, has locals apprehensive about the season ahead.
Stephan has at least acted to re-sign Isaac Hayden, to add some much-needed experience and physicality in midfield, and be the steadying presence they now require.
Next Game
Luton Town
Two defeats in three have struck an early dent in Luton’s title ambitions, with Matt Bloomfield’s men going down 1-0 to promotion rivals Cardiff in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.
The Hatters created more than enough chances to take something from the game, but could do with natural wing-backs to play on either side, more creativity in midfield, and possibly another striker.
As such, a busy week lies ahead for the likes of Mick Harford and Jay Socik on recruitment.
Next Game
Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham have lost their first five league games of the season, after a 1-0 home defeat to Barnet last time out, giving incoming owner Mike Garlick plenty to ponder.
The former Burnley chair is limited in how much he can influence at this stage of the summer, but reliable local journalist Jon Palmer is expecting three additions – a centre-back, a midfielder and a striker – to arrive between now and 7pm on 1st September.
There will also be question marks over the management team, so a competitive performance at Salford is essential, going into the crucial hosting of Accrington Stanley in early September.
Next Game
