CHAMPIONSHIP THIS WEEKEND

GAYLE FORCE ALBION

Dwight gayle is like a Championship cheat code. Plug him in and a team flies. Newcastle saw the benefits two years ago, west Brom this. the only game they’ve lost, gayle (right) did not play, and they have been beaten in only one of five since he signed. he was up to his usual tricks on Saturday, scoring twice in a 2-1 win against Stoke, finishing off a brilliant move for the opener. he’s scored 10 in his last 10 home Championship games.

VILLAINOUS GOALKEEPER

ORJAN NYLAND had big gloves to fill when he joined Aston Villa. Sam Johnstone was one of Villa’s cornerstones of last season, and Nyland has not impressed. Only one team in the division has conceded more than Villa’s 11, with four coming against Sheffield United. ‘From back to front we were awful in a lot of aspects,’ Villa boss Steve Bruce admitted.

ALREADY SUPER FRANK?

Transition from player to manager is not easy, but Frank lampard seems to be taking to it like he timed his runs into the box. he has impressed in the transfer market, something that is difficult to achieve when studying for coaching badges. lampard reshaped Derby’s squad over the window, casting last season’s top scorer Matej Vydra aside. a risk, but no problem. in the 2-1 win at hull, it was two of his summer signings, Martyn waghorn and Florian Jozefzoon, who secured the three points.