For Leeds United, Glen Kamara made a brilliant performance; for Norwich City, David Wagner is getting close; and for Carlos Corberan’s West Brom, things are going well. All of this and more from the most recent Championship round…….
TEAM GOING ROUND
Brighton, West Bromwich
After Stoke City’s three-game winning streak last week, let’s enjoy West Brom’s victory this week after their 3-1 victory over Hull City. After Hull had cancelled out Jed Wallace’s opening goal, the Baggies fought their way to win, with two goals in the second half securing the deal. After a slow summer transfer market and some unsettling whispers about the club’s financial situation seemed to portend a possibly difficult season ahead, Albion manager Carlos Corberan has put in some truly good work.
This most recent victory came against a Hull team that had real playoff hopes of their own following a significantly more active summer of recruiting than that which was seen at the Hawthorns. The two other winners
While the three did play against struggling QPR and Coventry clubs, defeating Hull will allay concerns about the quality of the opponents.
If West Brom keeps up this form over the next five games—as they take on five of the current top eight clubs in a row—it will help to quell such claims. It may sound like a difficult task, but Corberan’s resume includes leading Huddersfield to third place and the play-off final in 2021–2022. He looks to be doing well at West Brom; I wonder if there will be another appearance?
Participant of the game
Glen Kamara, United Leeds
There was a lot of excitement around the Friday night match last weekend, which makes sense since Leeds defeated Leicester 1-0. This doesn’t change considering Leicester’s incredible, record-breaking start to the season.
the Foxes’ status as clear favourites to earn promotion this season, but it will undoubtedly give Leeds more confidence as they try to close up to the top two.
It did feel, in a way, like the climax of Daniel Farke’s new Leeds after the summer takeover, and it may serve as a very useful springboard for this season and others at Elland Road.
Glen Kamara may have been the best example of Leeds’ new look on the field if Chairman Paraag Marathe’s attendance at the King Power on Friday served as a symbol of the changes at the top. The midfielder from Finland, who joined during the transfer window, is beginning to establish himself as a mainstay in the middle of midfield.
If the Jesse Marsch era was a crash bang wallop, Kamara is undoubtedly channelling Daniel Farke’s cool confidence in the midst of battle. When Kamara and his accomplice Ethan Ampadu faced up against Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Harry Winks, two of the best players in the Championship, they dominated the midfield duel. Archie Grey, a young prospect for Leeds, had begun the season there. Although his time will come, Glen Kamara is holding onto that position for the time being.
Speaking Point of View
Car Crash on Carrow Road
The division was already concluded when Norwich and Blackburn lined up for Sunday’s lunchtime TV match, and the two teams’ recent form meant that sentiment wasn’t great going into the match. With four straight losses and mounting pressure on manager David Wagner, the Canaries were up against an adventurous and open Blackburn team.
That’s not quite accurate, though, given Rovers’ two-goal advantage in the fifteenth minute of play and the Norwich supporters’ emotional response to the goal seemed like a “point of no return.”
Some claim Wagner is a victim of his circumstances at Norwich; perhaps they are accurate, and their claims will only be validated in due course. Ben Knapper, the new sporting director, had his start date pushed up from the end of November to the first Monday of the international break. This was significant news that would be revealed later in the week.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Knapper’s first major move will be to replace the existing manager, who seems to have alienated the supporters, with a new selection of his own. Although Wagner is still in control when Norwich travels to Cardiff, I suppose we’ll find out the answer to that specific issue next week. In the meantime,
of many people in a precarious situation. I don’t believe there’s much debate about Wagner being in the most vulnerable position in the division if the upcoming international break proves to be as busy as the last one for management changes.
OF THE ROUND LOANEE
Finn Azaz ( loanee playing for Plymouth Argyle)
There’s a good Aston Villacase to be made that round 15’s Championship game and goal of the round took place at Plymouth’s Home Park. The thrilling 3-3 draw between Middlesbrough and Argyle highlighted the skills of two outstanding young coaches, Michael Carrick and Stephen Schumacher.
As the first half came to an end, Finn Azaz scored the goal with a stunning curler into the far corner with his right foot, giving his team a 2-1 lead. Following Azaz’s game-winning goal, the game continued to provide with three more goals; Plymouth will be hoping that his loan from Aston Villa will continue to give in a similar manner.
Finn Azaz and Plymouth have a history together; during the previous season, he was a member of the remarkable 101-point campaign that helped Argyle win the championship. Azaz, who played somewhat off the main striker, contributed 16 goals to the team’s total score, 8 of which he scored and 8 of which he assisted.
With three goals and three assists already this season, one third of the way through, Azaz is continuing his excellent form from the previous year. Based on such production, an excessively basic prediction would see Azaz matching his League 1 output from the previous season and many others contacting his parent club, Aston Villa, regarding his plans beyond this current loan.
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