Gameweek 23 has three matches left across Tuesday and Wednesday, as six Championship clubs face off following a hectic weekend of FA Cup football.

However, the elephant in the room is going to be addressed – we’ve never seen cancellations and postponements like it.

Here are our top lessons we’ve learned from Gameweek 23’s action across the three divisions.

CANCELLATIONS

The key lesson, and most important of all, is that this was a pivotal weekend regarding Fantasy EFL.

Heading into an already reduced Gameweek, only 16 teams were due to feature. These included three Championship matches, six in League One, and seven in League Two. However, due to the poor weather conditions, the following games were postponed:

Unfortunately for managers, this meant lots of tweaking right up until the two deadlines: 12:30 and 15:00. Unlike previous weeks, all matches were postponed either the day before or the morning of – we didn’t have another Crawley vs Charlton situation! Thoughts go out nonetheless to fans who made the effort on Saturday to travel before their matches were called off.

The storm clouds of fixture congestion continue to gather, casting a long shadow over our Fantasy fortunes. The true impact of these relentless postponements remains shrouded in mist, and the whispers of rescheduled matches offer little solace. Yet, amidst this chaos, a glimmer of hope emerges – a deluge of Double Gameweeks! As it stands, a dizzying ten doubles await, a feast of fixtures almost every other Gameweek! Although we can’t guarantee it, we’re confident another Triple Gameweek could be on the horizon. Though this Gameweek may have tested our resolve, brighter days, and perhaps kinder weather, are surely on the horizon.

For all the latest news, check out our fixture ticker for all three divisions, all 39 Gameweeks and more! [new and updated] so you never miss out on the updated schedule.

LEAGUE ONE

Only one match was played [and will be played] in League One this weekend, seeing four goals scored at AESSEAL New York Stadium – as Rotherham United defeated Bolton Wanderers 3-1. Steve Evans has steadied the ship at the Millers, guiding them to four consecutive unbeaten results after a wretched start to the campaign. Despite this improvement, they still face a 10-point gap to reach the play-offs.

Mallik Wilks (F) and Shaun McWilliams (M) wrote the headlines in South Yorkshire. Wilks was instrumental in the Millers’ home win. He scored from the penalty spot (+5), provided an assist (+3), and created scoring opportunities with two key passes and three shots on target (+2). This was Wilks’s first standout performance of the campaign. Whereas, McWilliams intercepted the ball five times (+10) in his team’s winning effort, a performance that rewarded only a select group of managers with 12 points. This marks a significant milestone for McWilliams, as it’s also his first time reaching double-digit interceptions this season. Moreover, 2.4% bagged seven points for the win as a club pick.

Despite the mounting pressure on manager Ian Evatt and the growing unease among the fanbase, Fantasy managers found some solace in recent results. John McAtee (F) scored a late consolation goal (+5) to bag seven points for 0.1%, while defensive rock Ricardo Santos (D) also bagged seven for 19 clearances (+6) and two tackles (+1), despite conceding three goals and a yellow card (-2). He’s now banked 131 points, despite only keeping four clean sheets in 23.

Up next, Rotherham will be looking to make it five unbeaten when they face Charlton Athletic (H), while the Trotters face 23rd-placed Cambridge United, who have lost five games in a row.

LEAGUE TWO

Nathan Lowe bows out in style

There are players that will be remembered in the inaugural season of Fantasy EFL for their efforts. One of those is Nathan Lowe (F) at Walsall. The striker scored once (+5) at the weekend and provided two assists (+6), alongside further attacking contributions, to bag 15 points for 11.3% of managers – 30 if you had him captained! The number seven has now returned 15 goals and seven assists in 22 games for the Saddlers, totalling 157 points. He’s the most productive attacker across all of the EFL, and had scored seven goals in his previous five games.

Speculation surrounding his future will undoubtedly persist. The Potters sit 19th, just four points above the drop zone with the joint-worst scoring record in the division [24], and could retain him for the remainder of the season. We anticipate continued goal contributions from him for Mark Robins’ side given his ability. However, their transfer plans will be crucial. A loan move or consistent playing time under Robins would make him a highly valuable asset.

Walsall can’t be stopped

Following on, Lowe’s efforts helped the Saddlers defeat Tranmere Rovers 5-1 in front of their home faithful. They secured seven points for the win, returning the goods for 13.1% of managers. They’ve won eight on the bounce, and are unbeaten in 15 matches.

Aside from Lowe’s heroics, strike partner Jamille Matt (F) was also sensational. The 35-year-old scored a brace (+10) and provided further attacking returns, banking 14 points for 0.1% – credit to those who selected him! He now has nine goals and two assists in 23, totalling 90 points, and will look to carry the goalscoring mantle.

Elsewhere, Ryan Stirk (M) scored the second goal of the afternoon (+6), made two interceptions (+4) and took two shots on target (+1), returning 13 points for 0.1%. Taylor Allen (M), listed as a midfielder, impressed us most by playing centre-back once again and contributing two assists (+6) and three key passes (+1), earning him nine points for 7.9%.

Up next, the Saddlers face MK Dons (H) on Saturday in Gameweek 24. We’re confident they continue their unbeaten streak – the bigger question remains: what happens without Lowe from an attacking perspective? Only time will tell.

Defensive masterclass in Wiltshire

Crewe Alexandra held Swindon Town to a 0-0 draw at The Nigel Eady County Ground, seeing Crewe go four games without a loss.

Fantasy EFL’s highest-scorer, Mickey Demetriou (D), continued his remarkable form and is set to go down in the record books for the inaugural season. He returned 11 points for 19.6% of managers. Crewe’s captain was the highest-selected player for this Gameweek given the postponements, and for good reason. The 34-year-old made 13 clearances (+4), three blocks (+1) and secured the clean sheet return (+5). However, a second-half yellow card saw him docked a point (-1). Demetriou is averaging 8.1 points, and five points against Morecambe (A) in Gameweek 25 would see him as the first FEFL scorer with 200 points! 

Defenders Ryan Delaney (D), Billy Kirkman (D) and Will Wright (D) of Swindon all scored double digits for their efforts, in what proved to be an important point for Ian Holloway’s side. They are now five points clear of the drop zone.

Up next, the Railwaymen face 23rd-placed Morecambe (A) on Saturday, while the Robins take on 15th-placed Barrow (H). Notably, Crewe have two home fixtures in Double Gameweek 25.