FL72 Talking Points: Alan Judge stand-out player in Championship
Monday 26 October 2015 19:22, UK
Andy Hinchcliffe looks at five Football League talking points, and says Brentford winger Alan Judge is the stand-out player in the Championship.
The Sky Sports expert also thinks Judge has all the capabilities to make the switch to the Premier League as he talks us through the major issues from the weekend, including Burnley's excellent form and Shola Ameobi's instant impact at Bolton..
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Alan Judge calling the shots
That 3-0 victory for Brentford was their third victory on the spin as stand-in manager Lee Carsley continues to turn their fortunes around.
He has managed to get the best out of Judge, who has scored or assisted six of Brentford's last seven goals in their last three games.
The former Blackburn Rovers man fired in a majestic individual effort and assisted both of Brentford's goals at the Valley.
HINCHCLIFFE SAYS: "Alan Judge certainly has the capabilities to make the switch to the Premier League and he's always had flashes of brilliance. He is clearly a player that every time you see him you think it's possible for him to produce something.
"What he's doing now is finding the consistency, he's scoring goals creating goals and he's got absolutely everything going for him. He has always had it but it seems Lee Carsley's appointment as manger has galvanised everyone at the club, and Judge has gone through the stratosphere.
"We always knew he had that ability but it's all about tapping into that regularly and he has started to do that and he's a key man for Brentford. He is probably the stand-out player in the Championship at the moment."
Burnley turning the screw
Scott Arfield's second-half winner ensured Burnley claimed back-to-back wins over Blackburn for the first time in 36 years as they sealed a 1-0 east Lancashire derby success.
The result lifted Sean Dyche's men to 3rd in the Championship and they are now just four points off Brighton at the top of the league after a run of just one defeat in 10 games.
HINCHCLIFFE SAYS: "Sean has done what he did last time he got them promoted to the Premier League, which has been consistency of selection and not being too glamourous to win games because they've got quality players. They don't concede a lot of goals either.
"Last time they had Danny Ings and this time they got Andre Gray and they're a very solid team. If you look at the selection that Sean has made the players are constantly available and no one seems to suffer from injury. That helps, the team virtually picks itself and then they get the understanding.
"Sean has gone back to that template of success from the past and I'm not surprised they are doing what they're doing, why would they do different from their tried and tested method? I am very impressed with Burnley, I can't see them finishing outside of the top six and the way they're going and the consistency they're showing they have a shout at finishing in the top two."
Charlton sack Guy Luzon
Charlton Athletic sacked head coach Guy Luzon after a 3-0 home defeat by Brentford left them in the Championship relegation zone.
Luzon lost seven of his nine league games this season and last won a game in the Championship in August having been appointed in January.
HINCHCLIFFE SAYS: "It's such a shame because when Luzon first came in the had a relatively successful start to his tenure, finishing 12th last season so I'm sure there would have been a lot of optimism going into the new season.
"There was a lot fo belief heading into the new season for Charlton but sometimes these things happen and the championship is unforgiving, if things aren't going well and you're not taking your opportunities you can get kicked in the teeth game after game. They've drawn two and lost seven of the last nine games so any manager, regardless of how successful or how new they are to the English game, it's only a matter of time before owners decide to make a change.
"Teams at this stage of the season look at how things are going and hope their new managers will give them a chance of staying up, that is ultimately what it's all about. As for who is going to take the job it is wide open, there 60 applicants for the Rotherham job so I'm sure they'll be an equal amount for this one."
Shola Ameobi impact
Shola Ameobi made an immediate impact at Bolton, but Steve Evans' Leeds came from behind to record their second straight 1-1 draw since he arrived at Elland Road.
Ex-Newcastle striker Ameobi was introduced as a 12th-minute substitute at the Macron Stadium and 20 minutes later, he had put Wanderers ahead, powering home an effort following a corner.
Bolton remain bottom of the Championship and have only scored 10 goals this season but Bolton manager Neil Lennon remains buoyant and said he was impressed by his new striker.
HINCHCLIFFE SAYS: "Bolton are desperately in need of someone coming in and scoring regularly. It's a dire situation for Neil Lennon. It seems a strange thing to say with their league position but I do think he will get it right with one or two more signings.
"He's gone for experience in signing Ameobi and maybe that's what he feels the team needs when their backs are up against the wall. They just need players that have seen it all before in football and realise what it's all about and what's needed.
"I didn't really see a place for him there and it's come a bit from left field but Bolton need things to happen and happen quickly, so bringing in an experienced goalscorer does make sense.
"It's just whether he has the fitness levels at the age he's at. It's a relentless league physically as much as anything else. That's the challenge for player's going into their early thirties but it was great to see him make a good start with a goal and if they are to survive they will need the experienced players to keep scoring."
