New bosses have plenty on their plate

THREE new managers have been appointed in the EFL over the past week – and they’ve all got different challenges on their hands. In the Championship, former Norwich and Wales defender Mark Bowen needs to win over sceptical fans at Reading.

The 55-year-old had been sporting director at the Madejski Stadium, but now steps into the manager’s hotseat to replace the sacked Jose Gomes.

No-one doubts Bowen’s coaching credentials and he has had bags of experience working alongside Mark Hughes over the years, but can he now step up and successfully call the shots?

It’s important that he gets some decent results under his belt in the coming weeks to ensure the doubters stay quiet. If he doesn’t, then the pressure could soon mount, especially with the Royals among the Championship strugglers.

In League One, ex-Bradford and Bolton manager Phil Parkinson knows exactly what he needs to do to make sure his stint in the Sunderland dugout isn’t a short one – win promotion from League One.

The Black Cats made that ruthlessly clear by axing Jack Ross after a patchy start to this season. Don’t forget, Ross led Sunderland to the League One play-off final and Checkatrade Trophy final last term. There is little patience in football these days.

In League Two, Carl Fletcher has taken the reins at Leyton Orient. His task is to try to establish the O’s back in the EFL and continue the good work done by the late Justin Edinburgh, who led the Londoners to the National League title last season.

Former Bournemouth and West Ham midfielder Fletcher had mixed fortunes in his previous stint as a manager at Plymouth, but reckons he has learned a lot since then and will be better for that experience.

We wish them all well – and hope they can rise to their various challenges.