Huddersfield top League One as Derby struggle, Sam Parkin's EFL takeaways

Sam Parkin, the Final Score pundit and former Swindon, Luton Town and Northampton Town striker, offered his takeaways from fixtures across the Championship, League One and League Two on 24 October 2026. He highlighted Huddersfield's position at the top of League One, Derby's difficulties in the Championship and notable wins for Cheltenham and QPR.

Parkin spoke to BBC Sport England's Ben Marvell and assessed several clubs' form and personnel. He noted Martin Drury has taken Huddersfield to the top of League One despite a lack of managerial experience and discussed how recruitment and recent performances have influenced the early tables. Parkin also reviewed performances that affected standings and momentum in the Championship, League One and League Two.

Huddersfield beat Wigan Athletic 2-1, with Derensili Sanches Fernandes on the scoresheet, a run that leaves the Terriers unbeaten since losing to Bromley on 19 September and having won four of their last five under head coach Martin Drury. Parkin said: "I've been really impressed. Going back to last season, everyone had a lot of high hopes for them and it didn't materialise. "I think so, yeah - he looks a class above. There were a couple of passes in recent games which really showed his quality, his awareness in the way to pass. He looks like a terrific player so whoever has done that bit of recruitment deserves a pat on the back."

Cheltenham moved up to third after beating in-form Newport County 1-0 at the EV Charger Points Stadium courtesy of a Charlie McCann goal, and Parkin credited manager Steve Cotterill's return with reversing the club's fortunes. Parkin said: "It's incredible really when you think about where (they were when) he took them on. When he took the job last season they were really adrift, so he's done a terrific job. "[Charlie] McCann is one of the stories of the season if you just look at his is goal record. All credit to him scoring goals and he was the difference maker again today."

Derby County drew 1-1 with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane and sit 23rd in the Championship, having not won a league match since 1 September, a run Parkin described as concerning but salvageable. Parkin said: "They'll be bitterly disappointed with only leaving with a point although having said that, it looked like (goalkeeper Jacob Widell) Zetterstrom performed absolute heroics to maintain the point there at Bramall Lane. "For Derby, they've had problems with injuries. Obviously there was there was hope of a takeover in the summer that hasn't materialised. They're working with a squad that maybe is not as strong in every department but hopefully the club can use that point as a positive in the in the next few weeks ahead. "I've got confidence that John Eustace can turn it around."

Norwich City ended a five-game losing run in the Championship by coming from behind to beat Charlton Athletic, a result Parkin said should ease pressure on head coach Philippe Clement and could be a turning point. Parkin said: "They'll have to hope that this can be the turning point. What I will say in their favour is that they've got two very winnable games next if you look at where their opponents are positioned in the table, Watford and Derby. "Obviously Mohamed Toure is missing. He probably has to be eased into the season given his injury issues and it didn't help losing [Ali] Ahmed just prior to the season to a serious knee injury. Kenny McLean's been missing as well so I think there are mitigating factors."

QPR beat Swansea City 5-0 at MATRADE Loftus Road with Richard Kone scoring a 15-minute hat-trick — his first goals since April — a victory that left the Hoops eighth after suffering only one defeat in their last six matches. Parkin said: "I'm really pleased for Kone because he's a player that I really rate and I thought he was terrific during the early weeks of last season, especially when he was combining with [Rumarn] Burrell who unfortunately is out at the moment. "The manager [Julien Stephan} seemed a little bit downbeat this week but to recover from the Birmingham loss and win so emphatically against a side who've had such a terrific start of the season is a statement win for QPR. "But yeah, an incredible win for them and Kone could really could be a difference maker for QPR being in those play-offs at the end of season."

Parkin pointed to Norwich's upcoming fixtures as an immediate test of momentum, noting they face Watford and Derby next and describing those matches as "very winnable" for the Canaries as he assessed how recent results could affect league positions and confidence.