The second week of Championship action is about to kick off, with more action across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Millwall and QPR both need to bounce back after suffering defeat during the opening weekend, though both have since bounced back in the cup.
Millwall face Bristol City away from home this weekend, while the Hoops have tricky away clash against Sheffield United. In the meantime, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the second tier clubs.
Matondo stance
Leeds United are said to be pushing to add to their Welsh collection with the signing of Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo. The Whites are in serious need of new wingers after selling both Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.
Football Insider report that Leeds are now pushing to land Matondo, who was signed by Manchester City as a youngster from Cardiff City, going on to play for Schalke, and then current club Rangers. The 12-time Wales international could well be set for an Elland Road switch, too, with the report claiming Rangers are open to selling the winger. Matondo is valued at £2.5million by Transfermakrt, but under contract until 2026, it’s likely Rangers will ask for more than that.
Harris on competition
Millwall boss Neil Harris is pleased with the competition in his squad, telling the club’s young players to seize their opportunity. Harris told Millwall TV: “I thought that the boys that stepped in the other night, all six changes I thought done really, really well. They showcased their potential to play. Alfie (Massey) we know we’ve been extremely patient with. He is a young man who has sort of found his way into the group by default with the utmost respect and grabbed it with both hands.
“He has really, really impressed us and we look forward to working with him over an extended period of time, not just over the coming weeks or months. When you are talking about players like Danny McNamara and Wes Harding, you are talking about first-team stalwarts in Championship football. Those players are ready made players to be in the team and they want to be in the team. They half expect to be in the team.”
Harris added: “That’s the standards that we want, that’s the competition for places we want. When you are missing in particular Japhet Tanganga, Zian Flemming, Billy Mitchell and Murray Wallace, you are talking about four players who probably fall into the category of being in your core group of regulars, then players have to step in and take their opportunities.
“We have to balance the squad like the other night with the rotation of players. Obviously it went right the other night. We have to make sure we keep doing that.”
Wilder on Blades
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has been speaking ahead of his side’s clash with QPR this weekend, specifically praising the club’s transfer business.
“We work as hard as anyone to get players over the line, it’s not an open chequebook,” said Wilder, as per the Yorkshire Post. “I appreciate the support I get from the board but we’re not putting anyone at risk. We’ve deservedly been in the Premier League for three out of the six seasons so we have advantages in a way but we have to be smart in our recruitment and there is a limit.