Image source: bbc.com
Sam Parkin highlighted a statement weekend across the EFL as Middlesbrough and Millwall ran out 4-0 winners, Ipswich Town slipped at Sheffield United, and Wrexham climbed into the Championship’s top six with a late comeback at QPR. Parkin also pointed to Wigan’s rally for a point at Doncaster in League One and Bromley’s big League Two win over Swindon as the promotion race tightened.
Parkin highlights Boro’s big win, Wrexham comeback and League Two chaos
Middlesbrough and Millwall recorded matching 4-0 wins in the Championship’s early kick-offs on Saturday, with Boro thumping Preston North End and Millwall sweeping aside Charlton Athletic at The Den. Parkin said he expected Middlesbrough’s match to be tighter against a Preston side he described as having “had a really good season,” but felt recent form told as Boro ran away with it.
Parkin said Middlesbrough’s victory was a fourth straight win, while Preston have now lost their past four and are “struggling to find the net.” He added that if there had been a concern about Boro compared with other top teams, “namely Coventry City and Ipswich Town,” it was the volume of goals they might score, but he noted Tommy Conway “has started scoring” and Morgan Whittaker “has made an incredible difference.”
Parkin also praised Millwall’s options in attack, calling it “the most depth they’ve had in recent years,” and said the club have been able to field Macaulay Langstaff and Josh Coburn together. He added that Aziz has enjoyed “an incredible season” and played a part in their first goal against Charlton. Parkin said Millwall have “a great opportunity this year” to reach the play-offs.
Ipswich then suffered a setback at Sheffield United, despite the hosts being reduced to 10 men late on, as Parkin said the trip was always likely to be difficult with players missing through injury. Parkin pointed to a congested schedule, saying Ipswich have seven games in February with the FA Cup and a rearranged match, adding the squad will be tested by the fixture pile-up even if he does not think the result will affect them too much.
Wrexham, meanwhile, moved sixth in the Championship table after a comeback win at QPR. Parkin said that with 10 minutes left it looked like Wrexham would leave “with nothing,” but called the turnaround a boost for supporters and players. He added Wrexham’s financial backing could allow them to add players before the window closes, and said their squad gives them a chance of “another promotion or at least another play-off campaign.”
