Gab Sutton's EFL Winners & Losers - October 18-19
Gab Sutton 
With all four EFL leagues in action after the international break, there were plenty of stories across the Championship, League One and League Two.
Free Bets EFL expert Gab Sutton highlights the standout winners and losers from the latest round of fixtures.
Winners
Oxford
Oxford beat Derby 1-0 on Saturday lunchtime, thanks to Stan Mills’ first half strike, and the scoreline didn’t reflect the level of dominance from Gary Rowett’s side.
The midfield trio of Will Vaulks’ tenacity, Cameron Brannagan’s dynamism and Brian de Keersmaecker’s vision is proving fruitful for the U’s, while Michal Helik and Ciaron Brown were rock solid at the back.
More performances like that and the Yellows can pull clear of danger.
Mansfield
For Mansfield to go to a club with Premier League parachute payments, on a high under their new head coach’s first game in charge, and win 2-0 is a fantastic effort.
The Stags had to absorb pressure for some periods, as expected, but an outstanding goalkeeping performance from Liam Roberts was the key, Deji Oshilaja was imperious in central defence, Kyle Knoyle was tough in the tackle at right-back, while Jamie McDonnell and Aaron Lewis forged a strong midfield pairing.
With Rhys Oates a willing runner up top, taking his goal expertly, and Tyler Roberts capping a fine showing in the number 10 role by netting from the spot, Town can take immense pride from their showing at Kenilworth Road, which has lifted them up to 9th.
Accrington
Accrington Stanley have channelled their notorious underdog spirit this season, taking eight of their 12 points against top seven opposition, thanks to a shock 2-1 victory at MK Dons, and a 4-0 tonking of Swindon.
Paddy Madden’s hat-trick was key to the result for the Reds, offering some valuable experience and knowhow to an otherwise youthful side, boasting talents like Alex Henderson, and the Isaacs – Heath and Sinclair.
Ollie Clarke’s first half dismissal helped Accy on their way, but John Doolan’s side took full control in the second half.
Losers
Birmingham
You could have been forgiven for thinking Birmingham would start the season on fire, after smashing the Football League points record last season by storming to the League One title.
Instead, their efforts to upgrade the squad for a Championship promotion challenge, resulting in 11 new additions, have created another transitional period, at a time when they could have had the ultimate synergy and togetherness.
So, with rumours of disagreements behind the scenes, Blues dropped to 17th with a 3-2 defeat to Hull; just one win in seven, a sober October for Chris Davies’ side.
Reading
Noel Hunt did well to keep Reading in Play-Off contention last season, after Ruben Selles left for Hull, so it’s ironic that the poor form has come at the start of this campaign, when circumstances are far more favourable in theory.
The Royals are a more stable ship behind the scenes, thanks to the impact of the Couhigs, who have ridded the club of Dai Yongge’s ill-fated ownership regime.
Despite this, the Berkshire outfit are languishing in 22nd, after a 2-1 loss at Cardiff that leaves them with just two league wins all season, and the victories were from unconvincing performances at home to Port Vale and Leyton Orient.
Bristol Rovers
It’s been a streaky start to the Bristol Rovers return to League Two.
Three straight defeats at the beginning was followed by a return of 17 points from a possible 21, and then another three straight defeats, including 4-0 and 4-1 home drubbings by MK Dons and Tranmere.
With fans asking all the big questions of the Al-Saeed’s ownership regime, who have previously been questioned on the grounds of background interference and unrealistic expectations, it’s unclear whether the club can move forward under their leadership.
