Five talking points from the EFL weekend including Bournemouth's chances of promotion

Gabriel Sutton
21 March 2022

Bournemouth celebrate 3-0 win over Huddersfield

EFL pundit Gab Sutton has his say on the action from the weekend, including Bournemouth's statement of intent vs Huddersfield, and Plymouth Argyle's five consecutive wins.

For a long time, it seemed as though Bournemouth's comfort in the top two had more to do with the absence of credible challenges from elsewhere than their own merits.

After all, the team currently in third is projected to finish on 76 points, which would be the lowest tally for that position since Hull in 2007/08.

The Cherries had served up a series of unconvincing performances, so Saturday's consummate 3-0 victory at Huddersfield - the closest thing to a promotion rival before the game - represented a real statement from Scott Parker's side.

With Phillip Billing proving key to the creative process with his dangerous runs deep into the final third, Dominic Solanke offering a clinical edge and Nat Phillips forging a sturdy centre-back partnership with Lloyd Kelly, Bournemouth look ready to return to Premier League status.

MK Dons can dream of promotion

Let's be clear: automatic promotion is still very much Rotherham and Wigan's to lose.

On current points per game projections, 90 points will suffice for the Millers, who would require 10 points from their remaining seven games to secure a top two berth.

However, Paul Warne's side have just suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Shrewsbury, while MK Dons - their closest and probably only rival for automatic promotion - defeated Cambridge 1-0.

Rotherham are out of league action until 9th April, due to playing Sutton United in the EFL Trophy final the weekend before.

If MK Dons do what the South Yorkshire club could not and beat Shrewsbury, the gap will be one point by the time they return to domestic duties.

The interlude does at least give Rotherham a chance to refresh, recuperate, enjoy what they hope will be a victory at Wembley and get some key players back to full fitness, but it also gives their rivals a window to close the gap.

Five in a row for Argyle

March has been perfect, so far, for Plymouth Argyle, who have won five consecutive games to nil after a 4-0 victory over Accrington Stanley.

Opposing manager John Coleman felt the scoreline flattered Argyle somewhat, but the defensive resolve is a huge plus for a side that shipped as many as 80 last term.

James Wilson is proving an inspired acquisition at the back, having won Player of the Year at Ipswich last season, bringing valuable experience and leadership qualities.

At the other end, Ryan Hardie is on fire - 14 goals for the season with a further 10 assists.

Argyle have a tricky run-in, involving visits from Oxford, Sunderland and MK Dons plus trips to Ipswich, Wycombe and Wigan: six top nine opponents in eight games.

With the defence holding firm, though, and Hardie in impeccable form, they will be a match for anyone in this play-off scramble.

Vale boost League One hopes

League Two's promotion race and play-off scramble is so closely entwined, we could end up with a crazy situation on the final day whereby there is a team that could secure a top three berth, or miss out on the top seven.

Not only is there just seven points separating second from 10th, but the three teams outside the play-offs have games in hand - in some cases, multiple games in hand - on those occupying the four spots, as well as third-placed Northampton.

Three-game winning streaks, therefore, make a huge difference and that is what Port Vale have managed to muster, with the latest being a 2-1 victory over Bradford.

The Valiants needed to dig in for a nervy final 20 minutes, but with Connor Hall defiant at the back, Ben Garrity running relentlessly in midfield and striker James Wilson showing the ability that got him first team football at Manchester United, they carry a threat in this incredible promotion race.

Exeter up to second

A 10-point haul from four games has put Exeter in pole position to join Forest Green in League One next season, but as always in League Two, things are not as simple as they appear.

Although the Grecians won 2-0 at Oldham last time out, they have had their midfield options decimated by injuries to Kyle Taylor and Timothee Dieng, as well as the suspension to Nigel Atangana, leaving Archie Collins as the only natural option.

Up top, meanwhile, Sam Nombe is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season, meaning the Devoners must hope Kieran Phillips or Offrande Zanzala can find the best form of their careers to date.

If Matt Taylor's side can navigate this difficult patch and stay in a similar position, then once key midfielders come back, they will be in a strong position heading into the home straight. For now, though, they have obstacles to overcome.