Five Of The Biggest Flops In The Championship

Five Of The Biggest Flops In The Championship
10:15, 31 Oct 2017

Sean Cole runs the rule over the biggest flops of the Championship season so far, starting with one of Aston Villa's expensive signings...

Scott Hogan – Aston Villa

It can be hard to reconcile the sharp-shooting Hogan, who returned from a devastating injury to score 21 goals in 33 games for Brentford, with the pale imitation desperately trying to have any sort of impact at Aston Villa. Signed for £15million back in January, his attempts to acclimatise were interrupted by injury but a fresh start and full pre-season has done little to change matters.

With Jonathan Kodjia absent for the opening few games, Hogan had the chance to stake a claim as Villa’s chosen striker. He started the first three matches through the middle but was woefully ineffective. He’s since slipped behind the returning Kodjia and the inexperienced Keinan Davis in the pecking order and been reduced to brief forays off the bench, often out wide. There’s still a great goalscorer in there somewhere but he’s struggling to come out.

Sone Aluko – Reading

The season is just 14 games old but Jaap Stam is already coming under serious pressure. After guiding Reading to the Championship play-off final last time out, and indeed just a couple of well-placed penalties away from reaching the Premier League, his team were expected to challenge again. Instead they find themselves narrowly above the bottom three.

Sone Aluko was their biggest investment, moving from Fulham for a scarcely believable £7.5million. The versatile forward has started eight games for his new club but is yet to get off the mark. Reading have tasted victory once in that time and the Nigerian international looks lost in a side so devoid of creativity and attacking intent.

Craig Gardner – Birmingham City

A self-confessed Blues fan who left the club in controversial circumstances after relegation from the Premier League in 2011, Gardner was cast as the man to inspire their return when he rejoined in January. Initially signed on loan, the deal was made permanent this summer after Birmingham City limped to survival. A penalty and a couple of long-range shots aside he delivered little.

Having spent virtually all of his career in the top flight, Gardner was expected to be a key figure at this level but the action has largely passed him by. Not composed enough to be a playmaker or disciplined enough to be a holding midfielder, it’s difficult to see where he fits in. Dropped by Harry Redknapp before his departure, he’s played just a minute of football under Steve Cotterill.

Tom Huddlestone – Derby County

Another midfielder more accustomed to playing in the Premier League, Huddlestone returned to his first club Derby after being relegated with Hull City. Gary Rowett was looking for an experienced figure to set the tone in his midfield and the former England international seemed to fit the bill. Usually so comfortable in possession, he’s looked hurried during an indifferent start to the season.

His range of passing is outstanding and he remains an exceptionally clean striker of a ball but Derby haven’t seen the best of Huddlestone as yet. At the age of 30, he still has much to offer and should be dictating proceedings more than he is. He hasn’t missed a minute of action for the Rams, who are lurking just outside the play-offs, although telling contributions have been lacking.

Jordan Rhodes – Sheffield Wednesday

Carlos Carvalhal has an enviable array of strikers to choose from. In Steven Fletcher, Atdhe Nuhiu, Gary Hooper, Fernando Forestieri and Jordan Rhodes there’s no shortage of options to call on in any given situation. When all are available, Fletcher and Hooper remain his preferred pairing, leaving the others to kick their heels and see what happens.

It’s a shame for Rhodes, who virtually guarantees goals in the Championship. A one-man scoring machine at previous clubs, his strike rate has plummeted since moving to Sheffield Wednesday. Presumably promised more game time than he’s actually been offered, the beleaguered striker has five goals for the club and none in the league this season, where he’s often been a frustrated understudy.

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