Gab Sutton's EFL Winners & Losers - August 30-31
Gab Sutton 
There were more upsets for sports betting sites across the EFL, with big results across the Championship, League One and League Two.
Free Bets EFL pundit Gab Sutton breaks down his winners and losers from the weekend.
Winners
Norwich
It’s been a tough week for Norwich, with midfielder Marcelino Nunez becoming the first player to transfer directly between themselves and Norwich since Andy Marshall in 1994, to widespread criticism from fans – despite the valid factors behind the decision to cash in.
So, a defiant response was required and the travelling Yellow Army got just that at Ewood Park, with the Canaries running out 2-0 winners at 10-man Blackburn.
The wide combinations of Kellen Fisher and Ante Crnac on the right, and Ben Chrisene and Papa Diallo on the left, bore fruit, while Josh Sargent made his case to be not only the best striker in the Championship, but arguably also the best player.
Barnsley
Off the back of two uninspiring seasons in terms of performance, even if they reached the Play-Offs in 2023-24 before last year’s 12th-place finish, Barnsley faced an uncertain 2025-26 campaign: downward momentum, no external investment, and a rookie coach with nine points from nine to his name from the back-end of the previous campaign.
Few could have foreseen the Reds starting this season on fire, but that’s exactly what they’ve done, amassing 13 points from their first six – and even in the one defeat, the 2-0 loss at AFC Wimbledon, they tested their opponents defensively more than any other side at that point.
So, after a richly deserved 3-1 Yorkshire Derby victory over Huddersfield, who have a far bigger budget, there’s plenty of excitement around coach Conor Hourihane’s talents, and a vibrant young side.
Bromley
Almost everybody was happy with Bromley’s top-half finish last season, their first ever in the Football League, but not boss Andy Woodman.
The Ravens boss sets his standards sky high, and his team are more than living up to them so far, soaring up to 3rd with a six-game unbeaten start to the campaign.
The South (of) London outfit are water-tight at the back, and carry a major threat from set pieces, as we saw in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Harrogate.
For the second goal, delivery specialist Mitch Pinnock assisted towering aerial powerhouse Omar Sowunmi from a free-kick – probably not the last time those two will combine.
Losers
Sheffield United
Sheffield United have endured the nightmare start to the season, losing their opening four league games, leaving the fanbase very disgruntled.
The Blades have not sufficiently replaced the players they’ve lost from the 2024-25 side that accumulated 92 points, while Ruben Selles has been deploying a system that many feel don’t suit the team, while the absence of a holding midfielder to support Sydie Peck has caused consternation among locals.
After a 1-0 loss at leaders Middlesbrough on Saturday lunchtime, supporters are asking all the big questions.
Plymouth
After suffering a 4-0 drubbing at Cardiff on Saturday, Plymouth Argyle have now lost five of their first six league games, after relegation from the Championship last season.
The Green Army were willing to forgive some of the mistakes made in the club’s two-year stay in the second-tier, because of the financial disadvantage they were at, but coming down to a more suitable level for the stature of the club, more is expected.
Argyle have lost numerous key players in the summer, though, while some feel summer recruitment hasn’t been up to scratch – already, promotion feels a long way off.
Newport
After a positive start to the season, of four points from two games, Newport have suffered four consecutive defeats, to Grimsby, Salford, MK Dons, and Cambridge on Saturday.
The Exiles may well have faced four of the end-of-season top seven, and will be glad when fixtures become easier on paper in October, but recent performances have had the Amber Army asking questions.
There’s nuggets of high-end talent in this County side, but not a huge amount of experience.
