Using statistical analysis to sign players, ditching their academy and scrapping the captaincy are some of the innovations that have turned Brentford into Championship contendersWith the transfer deadline looming on Thursday, you could forgive scurrying rivals for peering over the wall at Brentford in envy. It may seem an odd thing to say given they have lost their captain, John Egan, and the winger Florian Jozefzoon to Championship competitors this summer but few clubs navigate transfer windows better.Brentford do not panic but rather rebuild and, once more, Dean Smith’s stimulating side – top of the tree after a thumping 5-1 first-game win – have plans for surprising the field. Related: Middlesbrough cope without Traoré in home win over Sheffield United...
Will Lampard, Bielsa and Potter light up the Championship, is Barton manager material and how low can Sunderland go?After seeing Rúben Neves help Wolves tear the Championship apart last season, Nottingham Forest have also decided to tap into the Portuguese market as they attempt to end their long absence from the top division. They have broken their transfer record to buy João Carvalho from Benfica for £13.2m and have also signed Diogo Gonçalves on loan. The arrival of the Portugal Under-21 internationals are signs of big-spending Forest’s ambition. Related: Football League fixtures: Lampard's Derby kick off season at Reading Related: Aston Villa should stick with steady Steve Bruce after recent turmoil | Nick Miller Related: Marcelo Bielsa sets modest target...
This is where we all are at the moment, gushing at news that Fulham’s teenage wing-back can use a household applianceTo south-west London, where startling news emerged when Fulham’s Supporters Trust held its AGM on Tuesday. An awed hush fell over the room as Alistair Mackintosh, the club’s CEO, told an anecdote that left everyone wiping away the tears. On one occasion this season, Mackintosh revealed, Ryan Sessegnon had a doping test after a night game and by the time he was done everyone had gone, the kit man included. So Sessegnon took his kit home, washed it and ironed it before bringing it in the next day.The story ended there, leaving us to speculate whether Fulham saw fit to...
The promotion king has forged a rugged, uncompromising and successful side from a bunch of misfits and the Premier League is in for an uncomfortable rideA day after Stoke City, a team who used to revel in their status as unpopular underdogs, were relegated from the Premier League, it was fitting that Cardiff City sealed promotion.Most seasons the Championship throws up an unexpected success story, a team that scraps its way towards the top of the table as everyone waits for the bubble to burst. Last season it was Huddersfield and Reading, the season before that Sheffield Wednesday. Related: Neil Warnock: ‘I’m not saying Cardiff would stay up but I’d enjoy every minute’ Related: Cardiff City back in Premier League...
The cathedral city is red and white with football fever as the side in the National League last season chase a trophy against Shrewsbury and a second straight promotionThe Gothic cathedral and thigh-thirsty Steep Hill are synonymous with Lincoln but the shops and businesses, from the tearooms to toy shops that line the latter, and surrounding streets are showcasing many distinctive, colourful – predominantly red and white – facades these days, for there is a window-dressing competition with a difference. The judges? The Cowley brothers.Patisseries, pottery studios and pubs are decked out in club colours. There is a sea of bunting, and images depicting Lincoln City’s likeable manager, Danny, and his assistant, Nicky, formerly PE teachers at the FitzWimarc school...