Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , former Scotland and West Ham midfielder Robert Snodgrass has taken a tour around the EFL as the Championship promotion race heats up.
Snodgrass has hailed a thriving period for Yorkshire football, backed Middlesbrough to keep hold of 20-goal man Will Lankshear in January, and named West Brom as the division's dark horses.
The former winger has also assessed Graham Alexander 's tough start at a top-six club, praised Callum Paterson 's impact at MK Dons , and given his verdict on Norwich City and Jack Wilshere 's Luton Town .
Yorkshire Rising
Is This a Thriving Period for Yorkshire Football?
Boro are flying high at the top and doing really well. They've adjusted and adapted since last season, and I did say they looked like one of the teams that could go up automatically. They've signed well and have a 20-plus goalscorer in Will Lankshear , which always gives you an unbelievable chance.
Looking at it, Leeds have bounced back from their stints in the Championship , and Hull have bounced back strong. Their recruitment process, getting players on free transfers and adding quality lads to the fold, has been great. They've got a number nine up top in Oli McBurnie, who looks like he's really finding his feet in the Premier League and enjoying that main-man status.
They're striving and doing really, really well. It's a great start to the Premier League with that no-fear attitude. I really like the manager; he has a great relationship with the players and instils a fearless mentality. I love that, because fear in the Premier League is what kills you. It's an exciting time for Yorkshire football.
How Hard Will It Be to Keep Will Lankshear in January?
I don't think that'll be the case. They've spent a lot of money for a Championship side, and they have a very strong owner who wants to get back to the Premier League . In that situation, I don't think they'd even be tempted, but you never say never in this market.
The Promotion Race
How Strong Is the Top End of the Championship?
Everyone was tipping Wolves and West Ham to run away with it given their squad depth and strength, but that hasn't been the case. Swansea and Middlesbrough , who have been in the Championship for a few years, are upsetting the odds.
West Brom are the dark horses who are quietly doing really well under the radar. It's a really interesting Championship this season, and with the extra play-off places, teams believe that a single point at the end of the season could make all the difference. That makes it so much more exciting.
Will Graham Alexander Regret Leaving Bradford City?
I think Graham Alexander was always tipped for that job. He's a bit of a legend there and has a great relationship with the supporters. Making that move with your family is a tough decision. I always think about managers jumping up a league when they had high confidence at a club like Bradford and then making the switch when the new team needs you to pick the place back up.
It hasn't really worked out at the start, and he's got a real tough job on his hands.
When you come into a top-six club, you can see they're capable of winning games, but when you don't start well, confidence drops and players start making uncharacteristic mistakes. He has a tough job not only winning matches, but getting the lads to believe he's the man to take them forward. But as I said, two or three wins in the Championship can change the full picture.
Around the Grounds
How Good Is It to See Callum Paterson Still Going at MK Dons?
Cal 's a really nice, great lad, and I know him well. Looking at him reminds me a bit of Michail Antonio when I was at West Ham ; he can play right-back, right-wing, left-wing, centre-forward, everywhere.
Wherever Cal plays, he gives you everything. He scored at the weekend in a 6-1 victory, and he keeps chipping in with goals. Someone with that experience is a real handful when he plays up top. For MK Dons , after getting promotion last year, having that experience and confidence is huge.
You see it with teams like Wrexham ; when they get momentum and keep winning matches, it just keeps rolling. It's great to see Cal pushing forward and trying to help MK Dons move up the leagues. He's done really well for himself.
How Worried Should Norwich City Be?
At Norwich , the manager showed last season that the squad can believe in his approach and win matches back-to-back. They picked up momentum, and it just takes time to adapt through pre-season, injuries, and the bereavement with the owner, Michael .
When you see Norwich in the Championship , you always believe they'll be up there or thereabouts. They have a knack for bouncing back, and there's no fear of being in the bottom half of the table for them. Can they keep the momentum pushing forward to make a charge heading into the January transfer window?
That window is always vital; it gives you the chance to regroup, add quality and bolster your squad, which Norwich have usually done well.
How Would You Rate Luton Town Under Jack Wilshere?
From what we've seen over the last four or five weeks, players like Jamie Donley , Callum Marshall and Jordan Clark are clicking and chipping in with vital goals. They have quality in the final third, and I've been really impressed with Jack Wilshere .
He comes across very well and is implementing his ideas after his spell in academy management, learning off the best. It's all happened so fast: winning a trophy last season, building a rapport with the players and fans. It started a bit up and down, but four wins have pushed them up to fourth, just five or six points off the top. It's a great moment for Jack and the club at the minute, so long may it continue.
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