Savage success and statement win for Boro - Sam Parkin's EFL Takeaways

What the report says

BBC Sport Football’s Sam Parkin used a weekend EFL round-up to highlight several managers and teams after the league schedule returned following the international break. The piece focused on Peterborough United boss Robbie Savage’s first game in charge, Middlesbrough’s move into the Championship’s top two, Birmingham City’s derby win at West Bromwich Albion, Preston North End’s difficult start under Graham Alexander, and Salford City’s strong early form in League Two.

Parkin said Savage’s debut looked encouraging after Peterborough beat Leicester City 3-1 at the King Power Stadium. He suggested the new manager’s high-intensity, front-foot approach could suit a club long associated with attacking football, while noting the squad may still need more experience. He also pointed to Middlesbrough’s narrow win over Wolves as an important step, saying the arrival of striker Will Lankshear could help address a scoring problem from last season and support their promotion bid.

On Birmingham, Parkin said Chris Davies had shifted the team toward a more direct and balanced style, which has helped them climb into the play-off places. By contrast, he warned that Graham Alexander faces a tougher job at Preston, where survival may be the realistic target after a home defeat to Millwall left them bottom. In League Two, he said Salford’s form under Peter Cklamovski is impressive but too early to make them clear promotion favourites, with several other clubs also in the mix.