Derby County have won ten of their last 13 in the Championship under manager Paul Clement
Andy Hinchcliffe looks at five Football League talking points from the weekend's action, reflecting on how Paul Clement has found his feet at Derby after a poor start to the season.
James Wilson's debut for Brighton and the managerial merry-go-round were also topics of conversation for the*Sky Sports football expert after the latest round of games.
Who or what caught your eye? Leave your comments below if you're reading on*skysports.com*or get in touch via Twitter*@SkySportsFL.
Rams flying high
After going six games without a win at the start of the Championship season, Derby County have now won ten of their last 13, including a 2-0 win over promotion rivals Hull City on Friday evening.*
Jacob Butterfield scored twice against Hull City as Derby ran out as 2-0 winners on Friday evening
The pressure has now eased on manager Clement after many questioned his ability as a head coach in the opening few weeks, with the Rams well in the play-off places and just two points behind first-placed Brighton.
HINCHCLIFFEE SAYS:*"There has been talk of a turnaround but I think it's just that all of their new signings have settled in. Things were never horribly wrong, it just takes time for the manager to find his team, get the personnel right and the formation right. It's a very good team and a very good squad so I think it was just a matter of time before they found their feet really.
Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Derby County
"For Paul, it was strange, because I've never seen a Championship squad with so many good players in it. The trouble is that when you've got a new manager coming in who is new to management, having too many good players means you're always thinking about changing the system to get another player in.
"What he's done now is found a system that works. He's got his back-four sorted which is important, George Thorne has been important for them and Bradley Johnson has been fantastic since he came in. It's just about finding the combinations that work. If they carry on like this then they've got too much quality to fall short. I'll be amazed if they don't finish in the top two."
Wilson's Brighton debut
Perhaps one of the highlights of the loan window, especially for Brighton fans, was the signing of James Wilson from Man United until the end of the season.
James Wilson made his debut for Brighton this weekend after signing on loan until the end of the season
He made his debut against Birmingham on Saturday and was unlucky not to score as the Seagulls continued their*incredible 18-game unbeaten run as well as going back to the top of the table.
HINCHCLIFFEE SAYS:*"Chris [Hughton] has been very consistent with his team selections. I think Sam Baldock has missed a game or two but Bobby Zamora has stayed fit and played, Tomer Hemed has stayed fit and played, Dale Stephens and Beram Kayal have done very well. He's got an established team there but if key players get injured they have a problem.
"That's why they've brought in James Wilson. Obviously people know about him from Manchester United. I think even United fans are surprised he hasn't got more game time because Louis van Gaal has played some of the younger players.
Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Brighton and Birmingham
"Chris has done very well to pick him up because they really do need him. I think most clubs would have taken Wilson just because of his talent but at Brighton he could be important because if Zamora or Hemed get injured then they would be struggling because they'd be short of numbers. So it's a good signing on a number of levels and just getting him is the impressive thing."
Smith in at Brentford
On Monday afternoon, Brentford announced the arrival of Dean Smith as their new manager with Lee Carsley stepping down after his short tenure as head coach.
Dean Smith was named as the new Brentford boss on Monday afternoon
Walsall now join the list of other Football League sides on the hunt for a new boss, while the Bees will be hoping Smith can install some stability after a turbulent start to the season for managerial appointments.
HINCHCLIFFEE SAYS: "There have been a few names in the frame for that and I don't know whether it's because of the way things are run at Brentford that some people were put off or not but on the field, Dean Smith looks a good fit. Brentford play attractive football, it's high-tempo stuff and that's what Walsall do too so you can see why he was thought of.
[h=3]WATCH: Top 5 FL moments[/h]Watch the five best goals and moments from Saturday's Sky Football League games
"Presumably he's had all the conversations about how the club is run off the field. Moneyball is probably the wrong way to describe it, but just in terms of how they procure their players it's very scientific which is different to how a lot of clubs run their business. But in terms of on the field, it looks a good fit."
Hasselbaink to QPR?
Rumours have been hit fever pitch in recent days that Jimmy Floyd*Hasselbaink is set to take over at QPR after his outstanding efforts at Burton Albion over the last year.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is the favourite to be named as the new QPR boss, according to reports
However, the man himself has said that the Hoops are yet to approach him about the job while other reports say the players are keen for Neil Warnock to be named as their permanent coach.
HINCHCLIFFEE SAYS: "I was really interested when Jimmy took over at Burton because of the personality and the size of the name. He's been absolutely sensational. I know that from talking to the players who work with him. They got promoted and now they're going strong again looking at back-to-back promotions.
"I know he's talked about what a good experience it is and you can never have too much experience working in the lower leagues. But the big clubs don't come in for you every five minutes and Jimmy is going to have to weigh it up. I'm sure in time he can become a Championship manager and maybe beyond that but how many QPR's will come along for him and when?
Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between QPR and Leeds
"It's not about his name. It's not about being Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. I know that might be attractive to fans and owners but ultimately it's about the job that he can do and he's proved clearly that he's adept at moving a team forward quickly. Players like playing for him, he's got a good style and a good attitude."
Player of the Week: Jonson Clarke-Harris (Rotherham)
Rotherham are still struggling at the bottom of the Championship table, but they have a real star on their hands in striker Johnson Clarke-Harris.
The youngster scored twice as the Millers beat fellow relegation rivals Bristol City 3-0 on Saturday, giving new manager Neil Redfearn a second successive win and clean sheet.
Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Rotherham and Bristol City
HINCHCLIFFEE SAYS: "Rotherham are battling against relegation but Jonson Clarke-Harris could be a very good player. It's a difficult place to play at the moment but he scored two goals at the weekend and one was a fantastic curling effort.
"Every time I've seen him play I've thought that he's got something. He's got pace, he's got power and he can finish. He's young and he's going to develop. That's back-to-back wins for Rotherham now and it might just give them the belief that they can get out of this mess."
Watch the Sky Bet Football League live on Sky Sports 1 HD this week - Reading host QPR (8pm) on Thursday followed by another Championship game on Friday with Ipswich v Middlesbrough (7.45pm).
[h=3]Reading vs QPR[/h]
December 3, 2015, 7:30pm
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