QPR extend fine run & Terriers ease pressure - Sam Parkin's EFL takeaways

Former Swindon Town, Ipswich and Luton striker and Final Score pundit Sam Parkin gives his five takeaways from what we learned across the Championship, League One and League Two on Saturday.

Play-off run would be 'fantastic' for QPR

QPR raced into a 4-0 lead over Leicester, managed by former R's boss Marti Cifuentes, and are now just one point outside the top six after three wins in four.

Parkin: "I don't think anyone would have expected that scoreline from QPR, albeit they have been in great form at home.

"They've got great options in attack and I think everyone was excited about the potential of Karamoko Dembele, Koki Saito, Richard Kone and Rumarn Burrell. The problem has been getting them all on the pitch.

"The new manager has done well off the back of the good work that Marti Cifuentes did and they're going really well.

"The Leicester supporters were already unhappy with their position in the table and that's going to bring further scrutiny on Cifuentes but I think the story today is how good a start to the season QPR have had.

"I doubt the R's supporters will be getting ahead of themselves and I don't think the players will either.

"I think challenging for a top half position is what the supporters would have been optimistic to achieve this year so if they could sneak into the play-offs that would be a fantastic season.

"You have to remember they lost 7-1 to Coventry at the start of the season and some people wondered if they'd made a mistake with the appointment of Julien Stephan but he certainly knows what he's doing."

Lampard's passion creates 'siege mentality' for Coventry

Coventry City held out for a point at improving Southampton despite playing almost the whole second half with 10 men after Jay Dasilva's red card. There was some controversy at the end as players from both sides ended up in a mass confrontation after Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard reacted to some chants from the home fans.

Parkin: "I think on reflection it was a brilliant point for Coventry.

"Southampton are a really good team and they're going really well under the new manager and have loads of goal power.

"The story from this is about the red card and how 10-man Coventry held on for a point in difficult circumstances.

"With Middlesbrough losing and other teams faltering there is so much ground to make up from some of the teams who should be in the reckoning.

"The last three away games have been tough with Ipswich, Preston and Southampton but it is a point gained.

"In terms of Frank Lampard's reaction afterwards, I think it creates that siege mentality a bit, the travelling fans will have enjoyed it. All fans want to see passion.

"With his profile he is going to get some stick from opposition supporters but it was a hard-fought and important point for his side."

Addicks end winless run with huge win

Charlton ended their six-match winless run with a 1-0 victory over fellow strugglers Oxford United. The Yellows are two points adrift of safety in the bottom three.

Parkin: "It was a huge win for Charlton.

"Everyone looks at form guides and the run they have been on but the reality is they have had six incredibly tough fixtures.

"Yes, it was poor return but that is the reality of stepping up a division and, despite that, I think they have acclimatised to life in the Championship pretty well.

"It's a good story for Charlie Kelman getting his second goal because he's had a stop-start season.

"Oxford seem to flourish when they play the brighter lights in the league and can sit in and frustrate.

"The Yellows made a few signings in the summer with a view to playing a bit more of an attacking style and the results haven't come with that.

"Gary Rowett has been successful setting teams up with a pragmatic style in the past so they're kind of stuck in the middle a little bit at the moment.

"Midfielder Cameron Brannagan has been out for a number of games now and he's one of their star men.

"If they can stay in the league Rowett will have done a good job."

Terriers take points in 'must-win game' as Plymouth revival goes on

Huddersfield Town ended their five-match winless run in League One with a 3-1 win at Rotherham, while Tom Cleverley's Plymouth Argyle won for a third match in a row with a stunning 5-1 win at fellow strugglers Doncaster.

Parkin: "Huddersfield and Lee Grant needed their win at Rotherham.

"They had been dropping points at home and that really puts a spotlight on you, I think Grant was in must-win territory today and they did that handsomely.

"Being one of the bigger fish in a small pond puts that extra expectation on you and I'm sure the manager and the players will be feeling a relief of pressure tonight.

"Chelsea loanee Leo Castledine got his ninth goal in all competitions and he is capable of the spectacular and also has a great work ethic which he inherits from his dad Stewart, who I played with at Wycombe.

"The Terriers are still waiting for some of their big-money summer signings to find form but if they do it could be a really good second half of the season for them.

"Another team in League One who will be hoping to kick on now are Plymouth.

"I saw them at one of their lowest ebbs in the Devon derby at Exeter six weeks ago and they hardly landed a punch that night.

"They then lost the excellent Lorent Tolaj to suspension and you wondered where the goals would come from because nobody else was scoring but they won two and then in his first game back he scores his first EFL hat-trick to help them beat Doncaster 5-1.

"Onwards and upwards for Tom Cleverley. The club have backed him and now they are getting their rewards."

Lowly Harrogate in 'unique position'

Harrogate Town were thumped 4-0 at home by MK Dons in League Two and are now in the bottom two after Bristol Rovers, who sacked Darrell Clarke and brought in Steve Evans this week, drew at Crewe on Friday.

Parkin: "It's difficult to box Harrogate, who are now 11 games without a win, in with other EFL clubs because they're so unique.

"When you look at their budget and what they're fighting against, just to be in League Two is incredible really.

"Today was a great example of the gulf in that league with MK Dons having the depth of squad, a big budget and a vastly experienced EFL manager in Paul Warne.

"Pressure is going to grow on Simon Weaver, though, if they continue to lose games in front of their own fans.

"Fellow strugglers Bristol Rovers made a change this week and new man Steve Evans ended that 10-game losing run with a draw on Friday.

"He has a good record of coming in at struggling teams and making an immediate impact.

"I don't think he sets teams up too differently to Darrell Clarke but sometimes just a fresh voice can bring a new impetus.

"It's been a mess at Rovers for a little while and I think it will be a big achievement if Steve can pull them away from the bottom."

Sam Parkin was talking to BBC Sport England's Ian Woodcock.