Is it Coventry's year? Eckert looks the part - Aaron McLean's EFL takeaways

An incredible 41 goals were scored across 11 Championship matches with Sunday's Steel City derby still to come.

Former Peterborough, Hull and Bradford striker and Final Score EFL pundit Aaron McLean offers his five takeaways on what we learned across the second-tier, as well as Leagues One and Two.

Coventry believe this could be their year

Frank Lampard's Coventry City are now seven points clear at the top of the Championship

Championship pacesetters Coventry City came from two goals down to beat West Bromwich Albion 3-2 in the Midlands derby at the CBS Arena.

Albion were reduced to 10 men when midfielder Jayson Molumby was sent off for a second bookable offence with the visitors leading 2-1.

McLean: "At 2-0 down, I think everyone would have thought are we going to see a wobble from Coventry but I think the red card definitely played a part.

"It swung the momentum in Coventry's favour but massive credit to them for having the character to come back and not only get something from the game but to get the three points.

"Now, 10 points clear of third place, looking at their reaction after the game, they really think this could be their year."

Saints would be 'crazy' not to hire Eckert

Tonda Eckert has won all three matches in charge of Southampton as interim boss

Southampton produced a five-star performance in their 5-1 away victory at high-flying Charlton Athletic.

The Saints scored all five goals before half-time with interim boss Tonda Eckert picking up his third win from three matches following the sacking of Will Still.

McLean: "The interim manager has come in and has totally changed the fortunes of Southampton. All of a sudden there is a freshness about them.

"You've got to say, you'd be crazy not to give him the job on a permanent basis!

"When someone comes in and makes that level of impact, which was needed at Southampton, I think you go with it as long as it lasts.

"He hasn't done his chances of getting the job on a permanent basis any harm whatsoever."

Bluebirds fly back to top of League One

Cardiff City put consecutive league losses as well as an FA Cup defeat behind them with a 3-1 victory at Northampton Town to return to the top of League One.

McLean: "After back-to-back defeats, when Northampton pulled it back to 1-1, it would have been easy for the players to think 'is this Groundhog Day'?

"But they showed great character. Yes, it was an own goal that gave them the lead but to go on and see the game out, especially in a division when teams get near to the top of the table and don't want to grab it with both hands, is massive.

"For them to finish the weekend top of the division would give them huge confidence. They're still a young squad but they seem to be continuously improving."

Tykes take a big step forward

Conor Hourihane was appointed permanent Barnsley boss in April following a brief tenure as interim head coach

Barnsley thrashed Luton Town 5-0 at Oakwell to move within three points of the League One play-off places.

McLean: "A massive result for Conor Hourihane. They were up against a very strong Luton side.

"Jack Wilshere's done a fantastic job since he's gone in there. Seven points from his three games previous league games going into this one, full of belief.

"But the way that Barnsley just blew Luton away will give them confidence that they can now kick on.

"They've got a couple of games in hand on quite a few teams around them so they'll be confident that they can improve on their league position and really challenge to be in those play-off places."

Brilliant Bromley upset the apple cart

Bromley claimed their first ever victory over Salford City to climb into the League Two promotion spots following MK Dons' 2-2 draw at Tranmere.

The South Londoners have never played in the top three divisions and only 20 years ago were playing their football in the eighth tier of the English football pyramid.

McLean: "Outstanding performance. Still unbeaten at home this season, it just seems like Andy Woodman has made sure that any team that goes down to Bromley doesn't come away with anything and today was no different.

"They are another team that has had a slight blip but what they've managed to do is bounce back and they've learned a lot from last season.

"They are not making the same mistakes and to come away today with a 2-0 victory and move third in the division, they'll be delighted with their weekend's work."

Aaron McLean was talking to BBC Sport England's Matthew Cresswell.