The latest headlines from the Championship after another round of games across the division – and plenty of talking points
The Championship made a quick return on Tuesday night with top two Middlesbrough and Stoke facing off in a 0-0 draw at The Riverside.
Bottom club Sheffield United were also in action – and their gloom deepened – on what was an eventful evening for the division.
However, much of the talk was about off the pitch, or in the stands, as six of the eight games ended in draws.
Here’s a round-up of the best news lines from a night in which Hull City drew 2-2 with Preston North End.
Wild side
Chris Wilder was sent off for kicking a ball into the Bramall Lane stands during Sheffield United’s defeat to Southampton on Tuesday evening.
The Blades boss was shown a red card by referee Adam Herczeg for the incident which happened as he was leaving the field at half time – just minutes after the Saints had been awarded a spot-kick.
United goalkeeper Michael Cooper felled Ross Stewart in the box, only for Adam Armstrong to blaze over the bar.
Wilder hoofed the ball into the crowd only to go over and apologise after it seemingly hit a fan. As he returned Herczeg brandished the red.
Assistant boss Alan Knill spoke after the game and explained Wilder’s reaction.
“It is frustration about a lot of the decisions,” Knill told BBC Radio Sheffield.
“Then when we are coming off the ball is there and he goes to kick it off the wall and hits it into the stands.
“He is disappointed and was the first to say sorry to wherever it landed.”
Blue boos
Birmingham City came into the Championship having romped their way to an EFL record 111 points en route to the League One title.
An active transfer window in the summer and pronouncements from the club’s ambitious American owners revealed their desire to ‘do an Ipswich’ and win back to back promotions.
And while they have not made a bad start, they have 11 points from eight games and sit 12th, there have been struggles, particularly defending set-pieces and converting chances.
Both reared their head at St Andrew’s on Tuesday evening as embattled Sheffield Wednesday arrived with players and staff once again having not been paid in full.
Blues took the lead but conceded a sloppy equaliser and as they searched for a winner manager Chris Davies made three substitutions in the 59th minute – two of which were booed by sections of the home fans.
The decision to replace Tommy Doyle and Patrick Roberts angered the Blues faithful and Davies was forced to explained afterwards.
He said: “They were pre-planned. I have no problem with the fans having angst around decisions I make.
“I love the fans here, they are amazing fans and right to voice their opinion – no problem.
“For me it was purely pre-planned, both Patrick and Tommy have hardly played any minutes this season.
“We’ve got a growing injury list, I had it noted down to take them off at 60 minutes, if they go on any longer and pick up (injuries) we are going to be down to the bare bones in terms of our squad.”
Strike latest
As mentioned above the Owls players performed well at Birmingham – despite being owed their salaries for last month.
There had been reports earlier this week they would refuse to train after the Birmingham game – but manager Henrik Pedersen insisted he knew nothing of the situation.
“I have not heard anything about this. The players have always trained, it doesn’t matter what’s happened,” he said.
“The biggest respect for this because they could also choose other things. But I have not heard anything about this for the coming days.
“Let’s see what happens in the next days and let’s take it from there.”
Reports this morning have suggested a strike is ‘highly unlikely’
Leicester foxed
Leicester City were held to a 1-1 draw by the other newly-promoted team, Wrexham.
The Foxes went ahead through Patson Daka, only for Nathan Broadhead to level with 13 minutes to go at the King Power.
City have now drawn four in a row and their boss Marti Cifuentes was not happy.
“I’m definitely very disappointed because today I have a feeling we threw away two points,” Cifuentes said.
“It’s all respect to Wrexham, they got what they deserved.
“We spoke about the need to keep pushing but unfortunately in the second half we slowly started to drop.
“My honest assessment is that we were a bit arrogant. We thought the game was totally under control.”
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