Monday 2 March 2015 17:21, UK
Each week, Sky Sports experts review the Football League action on FL72. Check out Peter Beagrie's thoughts on the latest round of fixtures...
BEAGRIE SAYS: Derby lost two players in Chris Martin and Darren Bent that they can ill-afford to be without. They were up against a Fulham side who hadn’t won in five but started with a real tempo. Scott Parker was tremendous and everything went right for Fulham on the day, but they deserved it. There have been question marks asked about Derby at stages of the season but generally they have responded to it. I remember Leeds beating them at Elland Road and they came back with an unbeaten run, so we shouldn’t really doubt them.
BEAGRIE SAYS: Alex Neil started in the right vein, he was quite critical, telling the players to wake from their slumber and telling them they're not Premier League players anymore, they're Championship. They have won eight out of 10, Lewis Grabban is back on the goal trail, Wes Hoolahan is back in the side and that makes a massive difference. For me, Hoolahan is inspirational at Championship level, he makes teams tick and is the heart of the side. Cameron Jerome came on and made an impact too. Norwich can make the top two without a shadow of a doubt. They have underachieved with the squad they have. They have looked as if they have felt sorry for themselves but they have made new additions and it’s a stellar squad.
BEAGRIE SAYS: I think 10 points is too much for them to make up to make the play-offs - it's not impossible but it’s improbable. They picked up a tremendous result again and are on a marvellous run, but they did this at the start of the season and they are a team that usually have streaks of wins. Everyone thought when they won against Derby they would turn their fortunes around. Matty Fryatt is going to be so important to them now Britt Assombalonga is out. The pressure is off because they were desperate to get a result for Stuart Pearce. He was really liked but it has turned round for Dougie Freedman.
BEAGRIE SAYS: They play a bit differently to the other sides at the top, they are not as fluid, but they do some damage and are one of the form teams. They have real experience and have made some good signings. To get Jermaine Beckford on the pitch and scoring again is a big plus and it looks really good for Simon Grayson, who has so much experience getting out of that division. They have real options, they have knowledge and know how, and they won’t feel the pressure as much as other teams.
BEAGRIE SAYS: It's brilliant for a new manager to get a win in his first game. It won’t be any justficiation that he has moved from Oldham to Barnsley but the infrastructure at Barnsley is there for him to really build. He will get a bigger budget, be able to wheel and deal in the transfer market and the difference with six places and two points between Oldham and Barnsley wasn’t insurmountable - the result at the weekend proves it. They have an outside chance of making the play-offs as Johnson did with Oldham.
BEAGRIE SAYS: It was just one of those games for Burton where they didn’t take their chances, they were very unfortunate. This was the first time in nine they have been beaten at home so it was a tremendous result for Newport, who are in and around the play-off places. It was a big shock to see Shrewsbury lose. They have been incredible at home and scored goals for fun but Northampton are in top form and they had that great run. The teams at the top are having a bit of a wobble and you can’t take anything for granted. When you have the chasing pack so close it is difficult, you have to remain concentrated and Southend and Luton profited at the weekend.
