Tuesday 1 December 2015 08:34, UK
Andy Hinchcliffe looks at five Football League talking points from the weekend's action - including how Paul Clement has finally found his feet at Derby.
James Wilson's debut for Brighton and the managerial merry-go-round were also topics of conversation for the Sky Sports Football League expert after the latest round of games.
Who or what caught your eye? Leave your comments below if you're reading on skysports.com or get in touch via Twitter @SkySportsFL.
Rams flying high
After going six games without a win at the start of the Championship season, Derby County have now won ten of their last 13, including a 2-0 victory over promotion rivals Hull City that briefly sent them top on Friday evening.
Clement's credentials as a No 1 were questioned in the opening few weeks but the Rams' run means they are just two points behind leaders Brighton.
HINCHCLIFFE SAYS: "There has been talk of a turnaround but I think it's just that all of their new signings have settled in. Things were never horribly wrong, it just takes time for the manager to find his team, get the personnel right and the formation right. It's a very good team and a very good squad so I think it was just a matter of time before they found their feet really.
"For Paul, it was strange, because I've never seen a Championship squad with so many good players in it. The trouble is that when you've got a new manager coming in who is new to management, having too many good players means you're always thinking about changing the system to get another player in.
"What he's done now is found a system that works. He's got his back-four sorted which is important, George Thorne has been important for them and Bradley Johnson has been fantastic since he came in. It's just about finding the combinations that work. If they carry on like this then they've got too much quality to fall short. I'll be amazed if they don't finish in the top two."
Wilson's Brighton debut
Perhaps one of the highlights of the loan window, especially for Brighton fans, was the signing of James Wilson from Man United until the end of the season.
He made his debut against Birmingham on Saturday and was unlucky not to score as the Seagulls continued their incredible 18-game unbeaten run as well as going back to the top of the table.
HINCHCLIFFE SAYS: "Chris [Hughton] has been very consistent with his team selections. I think Sam Baldock has missed a game or two but Bobby Zamora has stayed fit and played, Tomer Hemed has stayed fit and played, Dale Stephens and Beram Kayal have done very well. He's got an established team there but if key players get injured they have a problem.
"That's why they've brought in James Wilson. Obviously people know about him from Manchester United. I think even United fans are surprised he hasn't got more game time because Louis van Gaal has played some of the younger players.
"Chris has done very well to pick him up because they really do need him. I think most clubs would have taken Wilson just because of his talent but at Brighton he could be important because if Zamora or Hemed get injured then they would be struggling because they'd be short of numbers. So it's a good signing on a number of levels and just getting him is the impressive thing."
Smith in at Brentford
On Monday afternoon, Brentford announced the arrival of Dean Smith as their new manager with Lee Carsley stepping down after his short tenure as head coach.
Walsall now join the list of other Football League sides on the hunt for a new boss, while the Bees will be hoping Smith can bring stability to a club that now has a third man in charge this season.
HINCHCLIFFE SAYS: "There have been a few names in the frame and I don't know whether it's because of the way things are run at Brentford that some people were put off or not but on the field, Dean Smith looks a good fit. Brentford play attractive football, it's high-tempo stuff and that's what Walsall do too so you can see why he was thought of.
"Presumably he's had all the conversations about how the club is run off the field. Moneyball is probably the wrong way to describe it, but just in terms of how they procure their players it's very scientific which is different to how a lot of clubs run their business. But in terms of on the field, it looks a good fit."
Hasselbaink to QPR?
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink continues to be linked with the QPR after impressing at Burton Albion over the last year.
However, the man himself has said that the Hoops are yet to approach him about the job while other reports say the players are keen for Neil Warnock to be named as their permanent coach.
HINCHCLIFFE SAYS: "I was really interested when Jimmy took over at Burton because of the personality and the size of the name. He's been absolutely sensational. I know that from talking to the players who work with him. They got promoted and now they're going strong again looking at back-to-back promotions.
"I know he's talked about what a good experience it is and you can never have too much experience working in the lower leagues. But the big clubs don't come in for you every five minutes and Jimmy is going to have to weigh it up. I'm sure in time he can become a Championship manager and maybe beyond that but how many QPR's will come along for him and when?
"It's not about his name. It's not about being Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. I know that might be attractive to fans and owners but ultimately it's about the job that he can do and he's proved clearly that he's adept at moving a team forward quickly. Players like playing for him, he's got a good style and a good attitude."
Player of the Week: Jonson Clarke-Harris (Rotherham)
Rotherham are still struggling at the bottom of the Championship table, but they might have a star on their hands in striker Johnson Clarke-Harris.
The youngster scored twice as the Millers beat fellow relegation rivals Bristol City 3-0 on Saturday, giving new manager Neil Redfearn a second successive win and a clean sheet to boot.
HINCHCLIFFE SAYS: "Rotherham are battling against relegation but Jonson Clarke-Harris could be a very good player. It's a difficult place to play at the moment but he scored two goals at the weekend and one was a fantastic curling effort.
"Every time I've seen him play I've thought that he's got something. He's got pace, he's got power and he can finish. He's young and he's going to develop. That's back-to-back wins for Rotherham now and it might just give them the belief that they can get out of this mess."
Watch the Sky Bet Football League live on Sky Sports 1 HD this week - Reading host QPR (8pm) on Thursday followed by another Championship game on Friday with Ipswich v Middlesbrough (7.45pm).
