Former Peterborough and Hull striker Aaron McLean gives his takeaways from Saturday's EFL action. Middlesbrough sit two points clear atop the Championship after a 3-0 win over Charlton, with Will Lankshear netting twice to reach 13 goals in 13 league games since his £20m summer move from Tottenham. McLean praised Lankshear's "X-factor" but cautioned against rushing him into England contention: "He just needs to make sure he has a good season, finish top goalscorer in the Championship, get himself into the Premier League."
West Ham's London Stadium woes continued with a home loss to West Bromwich Albion — their third Championship defeat at home this season. McLean questioned whether opponents sense a "soft underbelly": "Teams want to go there and enjoy it... the London Stadium is not a fortress."
Southampton rebounded strongly from last season's Spygate controversy, thrashing QPR 4-1 at St Mary's to sit fifth. McLean backed the club's decision to retain **Tonda Eckert": "They respect how good he is... everyone is playing to their level."
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing