Burnley are running away with the title, Russell Martin explodes at his Swansea City presser and Cyrus Christie does right by Liam Rosenior at Hull. All this and more from the latest round of the Championship...
TEAM OF THE ROUND
I'm going to be completely transparent about this, but it's actually quite tricky dealing with Burnley in this column. I've tried my absolute hardest not to repeat myself or state the bleeding obvious, but the Clarets are now setting such absurdly high standards it's rather hard not to fall into either of those traps. We've put the likes of Ian Maatsen and Nathan Tella in the 'loanee of the week' section to add a bit of variety, but I can't ignore a 3-0 stroll in the park at fellow parachute team Norwich City this weekend.
I'm going to make a bold prediction here and that is that this will be the penultimate 'team of the round' mention for Burnley, with the assumption that the final one will be congratulating them on promotion as they commence their victory lap. Well done to Middlesbrough and Luton for keeping the gap down to 17 points over the past two games, but that victory lap could be starting sooner than we can imagine.
If Burnley can just add two more points lead over third place then we're looking at a potential promotion with six games of the season still remaining, round 40 is the first of the Easter weekend double header but more pertinently the opponent is Middlesbrough. Unless somebody else has come along to take third place that would represent the perfect opportunity to make that extra points gain and achieve a monumentally early promotion.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Cyrus Christie (Hull City)
Cyrus Christie has been round the block once or twice at Championship level. The right back has played for no fewer than four Championship clubs and that's before we mention another three who were in the division last season and were either promoted or relegated. Christie arrived at current team Hull City in the summer under the watch of Shota Arveladze, he was in the first team throughout the Georgian's short reign and has continued under Liam Rosenior.
If Christie's place in the Hull side has been a constant, their form certainly hasn't! They started well with 11 points in six, the following 12 games saw a meagre nine points added and Areveladze replaced by Rosenior. Since the new boss came in it's been a much longer run of good points scoring form with 20 in Rosenior's 12 games in charge.
The latest three points came against Cardiff and courtesy of a Christie goal, although it shouldn't go unsaid that Hull survived a missed penalty from Callum Robinson in the first half. Christie had popped up in the box before he scored and bent a left footer wider of the post, that close call didn't put him off and seemed to act as a sight setting mission as he made no mistake from a similar opening. The Rosenior revolution is going nicely at Hull, with the experience of the likes of Christie adding plenty to the equation.
TALKING POINT OF THE ROUND
Swansea Transfer Turmoil
It's saying something when defeat in a seven goal thriller featuring a 97th minute winner is not the biggest story of the week, and that amazingly is the case at Swansea City. If you haven't already, then go out of your way to see Swans boss Russ Martin's pre game press conference for this past weekend's game with Birmingham. The press conference barely touches the game with Birmingham City with Martin using the time to give a very clear message to Swansea's fans, players, and most significantly their owners, about the perceived failings over deadline day.
We knew something wasn't quite right when Martin appeared for the briefing with his entire backroom staff, the first in a series of seemingly calculated plays to make sure his point was made. The Swans boss went on to explain his staff's frustration at the lack of incomings during January and painted a picture that put the responsibility for that fairly and squarely at the door of the Swansea ownership.
How this situation now plays out will be absolutely fascinating. Football media almost unanimously suggested Bournemouth manager Scott Parker was doomed for the sack the moment he criticised his ownership in relation to their transfer business. Although Martin's timing and approach may have been a little more cunning, he's essentially done the same thing and whether he was right of wrong we'll see if there are any repercussions down the road.
LOANEE OF THE ROUND
Cody Drameh (Luton Town on loan from Leeds United)
I must confess I was a little bit concerned when Luton's James Bree got linked with a move to Premier LeagueSouthampton during the transfer window. I really liked what Bree brought to Luton under Nathan Jones, a constant outlet down the Hatters right hand side with an excellent set play delivery into the bargain. Luton, as they tend to do, already had their replacement lined up and no sooner was Bree going out the door, Leeds Cody Drameh was arriving in the other direction.
Drameh is making his second trip to the Championship after making 22 appearances for Cardiff on loan last season. I was at Kenilworth Road for his debut against his former team Cardiff and it's probably testament to both club and player that he fitted in almost seamlessly. Yes, Luton offers good structure and a team that's on average used to winning, but Drameh was assured, technically good and made a fine first impression on the Luton faithful.
With regard to my initial concern I'll reserve judgement and look at the evidence. Fans can be quick to dismiss a sold player and maybe some degree of 'shiny toy syndrome' can affect the perception of a replacement's first games at a new club. If they stay where they are right now, Luton will be involved in play-off football for the second straight season and depending on what happens now in the Leeds dugout they might be able to make Drameh a permanent addition.
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