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FL72 review: Garry Birtles talks Bournemouth, managerial sackings and valiant Hartlepool

Each week, Sky Sports experts review the Football League action on FL72.

This week, Garry Birtles offers his thoughts following another action-packed latest round of fixtures...

Cherries produce performance of the season

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Bournemouth climbed to the top of the Championship after beating promotion rivals Middlesbrough 3-0.

GARRY SAYS: It was a stunning performance, one of the most complete performances from a Championship side I’ve seen this season. It had everything. It was good on football, it was great to watch, had a great strike from Harry Arter and there were some interesting decisions from the referee. Marc Pugh produced more Cruyff turns than the great man himself and Arter just had enough of it and put it in the back of the net. What a strike it was, it was a clean as it gets. Middlesbrough had one of the best defensive records in the Championship before that game and it could have been more than three. Bournemouth were absolutely overwhelming. Boro hardly had a shot in anger throughout the entire match which was so surprising and that just shows how dominant Bournemouth were.

Canaries on course for automatic return

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Norwich got their promotion hopes back on track with an impressive 3-1 win over Forest.

GARRY SAYS: Norwich are a very good side and I fancy them to get one of the two automatic places. The Canaries have a lot of pace in their side a lot of quality in their side and that was shown by Cameron Jerome’s audacious finish against Nottingham Forest. Alex Neil was not happy with the final 10 minutes at Carrow Road, where a degree of nervousness crept into their game. That is brilliant from him. He strikes me as a perfectionist. To see him say that after a win of that nature is fantastic. It will make the players sit up and take notice and make them concentrate on the last minutes and that’s great management. Norwich have crept up the table and I expect them to occupy one of the automatic berths.

Rams missing versatile Martin

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Highlights of the Championship clash between Wolves and Derby.

GARRY SAYS: Unfortunately, the history books will say Wolves two Derby nil, and not that fact that Derby dominated. I just feel they are missing Chris Martin so much – not just for his goals but for his all-round ability. Nouha Dicko’s strike was a quality finish but there were enough around there to stop it going in, so I’m sure Steve McLaren will be disappointed with that. Derby’s worst run of the season has come at the worst possible time and it has coincided with Martin’s absence. His game is not all about goals, he is always there for possession and he brings midfield into play, that’s why a lot of their midfielders have scored a lot of goals.

Managerial sackings breed instability

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01:  Shaun Derry, manager of Notts County looks on during the Pre Season Friendly match between Notts County and CA Osasuna at
Image: Shaun Derry: Sacked by Notts County on Monday

GARRY SAYS: I can name many clubs where managerial changes haven’t worked. My old clubs Nottingham Forest and Notts County - who just sacked Shaun Derry - how many managers have they had that have worked? It’s not nice to see any manager being sacked but they know what business they are in, it’s a result-driven business. The proverbial honeymoon period can kick in, and it has kicked in at Peterborough. They slipped out of contention for promotion and then the pressure began to mount on Darren Ferguson and change was made. Sometimes a change does work, but boards of directors pull the trigger and panic too quickly. Managerial changes do not bring continuity or stability to a club.

Hartlepool defying all the odds

Image: Ronnie Moore: Jubilant after Mansfield win

GARRY SAYS: How good are Hartlepool? They looked dead and buried without a doubt and they were so many points behind. But they got another win and now they are nearly tagged on and putting pressure on those clubs around the relegation zone. The delight on Ronnie Moore’s face was great; he and his staff were overwhelmed with the victory against Mansfield. He’ll be looking to build on the confidence that is now at the club. They’ve won three on the bounce and none of the teams around them would frighten them. They could go and achieve safety, and who would bet against them on their current form?

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