Five talking points from the EFL weekend: Markus Schopp gets the chop
- Gabriel Sutton
- 1 November 2021
What are the five things we learnt from the weekend’s EFL action? Gabriel Sutton talks us through it.
#MoroToMay at Cardiff?
Cardiff overturned a three-goal deficit at Stoke last time out to clinch a point, in Steve Morison's first game as caretaker manager.
The result saved the Bluebirds from suffering a ninth defeat in succession, which would have been the outright longest losing streak at this level since Rotherham in 2016/17.
The hierarchy at the capital club may still feel, despite the remarkable comeback, that they cannot refuse the opportunity to bring in a proven manager like Michael Flynn, who has previously worked wonders in League Two with Newport.
However, if Morison can get results from an out-of-form Cardiff side, there may be a case for him to be given the job until the end of the season.
Grumpy and demanding, the 38-year-old was an influential soccer player on the pitch - especially during his time at Milwall - influenced and could prove to be a born manager.
Schopp gets the chop
It would be difficult to argue with Barnsley's decision to part company with head coach Markus Schopp.
While their 2-1 defeat to Bristol City was an improved performance, it was their seventh successive loss, and with just one win recorded this season, a change was needed. The saving grace for the South Yorkshire club is that, despite their dire results, they are only four points from safety.
Derby's points deduction, Hull's run of four straight defeats, Cardiff's losing streak and Peterborough's woeful away form means they are not, yet, cut adrift.
The key for the new man will be to revisit the high-intensity pressing game encouraged by Valerien Ismael last season, which made Barnsley so hard to play against, especially when they were without the ball.
Crewe off the rails
We could discuss all the things that have gone wrong for Crewe Alexandra this season, but we understand our readers must find time to work, eat and sleep.
The Alex have lost five Championship calibre players in the last 12 months - Perry Ng, Harry Pickering, Ryan Wintle, Charlie Kirk and Owen Dale - and had to replace all of them on a League Two budget.
Two of the experienced players they managed to bring in were defender Tommie Hoban and Shaun MacDonald both retired within a month of signing. Meanwhile, their best player, Tommy Lowery, missed the first 13 games of the season over a contract dispute due to a questionable agent.
All things considered, David Artell has had everything stacked against him and the 4-1 home loss to MK Dons highlighted the size of the task ahead.
Victory on Tuesday over fellow strugglers Doncaster is essential to avoid getting cut adrift, and the good news is that the Railwaymen are then up against struggling sides Bolton, Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon.
However, anything less than six points from those four games and it could be a very long season for Crewe.
Smith and Barlaser smack Sunderland
Rotherham target man Michael Smith and midfielder Daniel Barlaser are both Newcastle United supporters, so the duo took delight in thrashing Sunderland 5-1 on Saturday.
Smith celebrated his first goal with the iconic Alan Shearer celebration, followed by the 'chicken dance' that Kevin Nolan performed when scoring a hat-trick. Back then, the Magpies beat their foes, also 5-1, during Chris Hughton managerial tenure in 2010/11.
Barlaser decided to celebrate in the second half by running over to the Black Cats contingents and goading them enthusiastically.
In a modern game that can at times seem sanitized and filtered, it was funny and refreshing to see the soccer supporters come out in those players - and they have good reason to celebrate, too.
The victory saw the Millers leapfrog their visitors from Wearside into fourth, leaving them just one point off the automatic promotion spots. It would take a brave person to bet against Paul Warne's buoyant boys.
Cox dismissed at Scunthorpe
No matter who you meet in Scunthorpe, they will have some connection to Neil Cox.
Some went to school with him, others grew up on the same street. Cox is a man of the town, which is why so many Iron fans wanted it to work out for him.
Unfortunately, it didn't.
Cox was dismissed with the Lincolnshire club bottom of the table, following on from finishing in 22nd place the previous season.
Of course, the 50-year-old was given a difficult hand with the deep-rooted off-field problems at the club, but the change at least gives Scunthorpe a chance to find someone who might be able to work miracles with a limited squad.
