Top Performer
Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
A stunning long-range strike from the Dubliner helped the Championship outfit secure a vital home win over Fulham to aid their promotion pursuit. Doherty has excelled since being trusted at left-back – even though it is not his natural position – and is showing just why he is so highly rated by the Wolves supporters as they are quite fond of his crunching tackles and eagerness to start attacking moves.
Watch Out For
Bradley Garmston (Gillingham)
Blessed with blistering pace, this 21-year-old is difficult to stop when roaming forward on the left flank. He combines that pace with a direct running style and an ability to deliver pin-point crosses into the opposition’s penalty area. A recent run of impressive displays has seen him cement a starting place for a team sitting second in League One.
Irish Manager Monitor
In the Championship, Chris Hughton’s Brighton & Hove Albion lost 2-0 away to Rotherham United, Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich Town overcame Leeds United 2-1, while Brian McDermott’s Reading drew 1-1 with Derby County.
In League One, Sean O’Driscoll’s Walsall picked up a big point in a 1-1 draw away to Coventry City.
John Sheridan left Newport County after three months in charge to take over at Oldham Athletic, who he previously managed between 2006 and 2009.
Midweek Stats
Premier League
11 appearances– Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Robbie Brady, Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Shane Long (Southampton), Jonathan Walters, Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), John O’Shea (Sunderland), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion)
4 goalscorers– Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Shane Long (Southampton), Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion)
4 un-used substitutes– Eunan O’Kane (Bournemouth), Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Josh Cullen, Darren Randolph (West Ham United)
1 yellow card– James McClean (West Bromwich Albion)
Championship
21 appearances– Stephen Gleeson (Birmingham City), Shane Duffy, Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Judge (Brentford), Stephen Ward (Burnley), Joe Mason, Anthony Pilkington (Cardiff City), Stephen Henderson (Charlton Athletic), Cyrus Christie, Jeff Hendrick, Richard Keogh (Derby County), David Meyler (Hull City), Jonathan Douglas, Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town), Samir Carruthers, Darren Potter (MK Dons), Alan Browne, Greg Cunningham, Eoin Doyle (Preston North End), Paul Green (Rotherham United), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
2 goalscorers– Greg Cunningham (Preston North End), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
6 un-used substitutes– Jack Bonham (Brentford), Derrick Williams (Bristol City), Joe Murphy (Huddersfield Town), Simon Cox, Niall Keown, Stephen Quinn (Reading)
3 yellow cards– Cyrus Christie, Jeff Hendrick (Derby County), Jonathan Douglas (Ipswich Town)
League One
3 appearances– Anthony Forde, Liam Kinsella (Walsall), Chris McCann (Wigan Athletic)
1 goalscorer– Chris McCann (Wigan Athletic)
1 un-used substitute– Conor Sammon (Sheffield United)
League Two
6 appearances– Jamie Devitt, Barry Roche (Morecambe), James Collins, Brendan Moloney, John-Joe O’Toole (Northampton Town), Carl McHugh (Plymouth Argyle)
1 goalscorer– James Collins (Northampton Town)
1 un-used substitute– Clinton Morrison (Exeter City)
2 yellow cards– Brendan Moloney, John-Joe O’Toole (Northampton Town)
Johnstone’s Paint Trophy
5 appearances– David Forde, Aiden O’Brien, Shaun Williams (Millwall), Pat Hoban, Callum O’Dowda (Oxford United)
1 yellow card– Callum O’Dowda (Oxford United)
Compiled by GARETH MAHER