Joe Gerhardt: Confidence helped start this season
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Joe Gerhardt speaks to Sky Sports about winning the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month award for his incredible goal for the Hull City team
It is said that you should never fall in love with a loan player, but the same lesson applies to players who have left their parent club.
It’s no exaggeration to say that both Hull’s support and Joe Gerhardt failed in this.
“It was the place I wanted to be most in the summer after last season ended,” Gerhardt told the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast. “I loved it here last year, from the fans to the staff to the players to just living here. I’m excited and grateful to be back. I think we’re off to a good start and I want to keep it going.”
“The fans are very big. I have built a good bond with them, especially when they push us at home. We want to repay them with a result. I think we have already matched last season’s home win. They are great fans and very supportive.”
Joe Gerhart wins Sky Bet Championship’s Goal of the Month award for October
Gerhard, 23, is enjoying the best season of his career to date. He has already scored eight goals, including six of his last seven.
“I think it’s confidence,” he says. “We’re playing with good players who give us chances to score. How well we’re doing is helping the attacking team and getting results. Being happy where we are and enjoying our time all adds to the goals.”
“As a forward, you need a lot of good games to hone your sharpness. The manager has trusted me with that here and I want to repay him every time.”
Colby Bishop: I have a master’s degree!
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Portsmouth striker Colby Bishop tells Sky Sports about the master’s degree he’s studying in his spare time
Colby Bishop has been through a lot in his career and learned the importance of using time wisely.
The 29-year-old Portsmouth forward is currently spending his free time studying for a master’s degree to further prepare himself for life outside of football.
“I’m doing a master’s degree in sports and directorship and I’m working on an essay,” he says. “It’s taking a lot of time!
“When I was younger, I would rush home to play Xbox and stuff, but when I realized how much effort I had to put in to get out of the game and get back into it, I stopped taking time for granted.
“I’ve done courses, coaching badges and degrees in personal training, but the master’s degree is the biggest thing I’ve done. It’s interesting and the people in the course are great. The writing is especially hard to refer to, but I’m getting used to it. It’s good to test yourself and I think it’s worth it.”
Bishop had to work his way back into the professional game after playing non-league early in his career, and he also had to undergo heart surgery in 2024 after regular tests revealed he was at risk.
“My career has taught me to never take anything for granted,” he added. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.
“By the time you finish the Masters, you’ll have a lot of coaching badges. When you’re 35 or 36, you won’t be panicking about what to do next. You’ll be in a better place.”
Anis Mehmeti: The key process of success to reach new heights
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Bristol City’s Anis Mehmeti speaks to Sky Sports about his love for entertainment football
Anis Mehmeti is passionate about soccer.
“I see it a lot,” he says with a smile. “Especially in the Premier League. The players make fun of me because I watch too much football, but I’ve always been like that. Football has given me a lot and I love it.”
“Eden Hazard, Neymar and Philippe Coutinho were my favorites growing up. They didn’t necessarily look like me, but they were players I loved watching.
“Soccer is entertainment. The players enjoyed the game and won. That’s what I want to do. I want to win and show everyone what I’m capable of.”
While he may not be on the level of these names, Mehmeti is certainly an interesting player to keep an eye on at Bristol City. The 24-year-old has reached new heights of performance under manager Gerhard Struber this season, having already scored five goals and provided four assists in 16 appearances.
His personal education in football in his own style has been the key to his success.
“I don’t look too deeply into statistics,” he says. “I like to focus on process: the right area to attack, the right space to pick up the ball, the effective method, etc. It’s important to be process-driven to get results both offensively and defensively.”
“I’m a very athletic player with good running ability, so pressing is a plus for me. As a forward or No. 10, I want to win the ball back high up and attack quickly.”
“By winning the ball higher and being more direct in transition, we can put ourselves in positions to create chances and score. We’ve scored a lot of goals from those situations. As a team, we fully embrace the coach’s foundation.”
Dan Kemp: Chelsea youngster at Portsmouth ends at Wembley
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Dan Kemp told Sky Sports about going to the 2010 FA Cup final as a young Chelsea player, but he was a Portsmouth fan!
Saturday, May 15, 2010 was an interesting day for Dan Kemp. At the time he was an 11-year-old member of Chelsea’s academy, but attended the FA Cup final at Wembley as a Portsmouth fan.
“I was there that day!” he recalls. “I’m a Portsmouth fan and my family is from Portsmouth. I’ve been watching Portsmouth since I was little. I went to see them with my father and grandfather. I also came to see the final at Wembley two years ago where Kanu scored the winning goal. It was amazing.”
Kemp, now 26, eventually progressed through West Ham’s youth organization before dropping to the EFL to begin his career. He is currently at his third permanent club in Stevenage after spells at Leyton Orient and MK Dons.
“I’m grateful that my experience with different clubs, styles and managers has helped me develop into a better and more experienced player,” he says.
“It’s been a long journey. From academy football to my journey in the EFL, I loved football. There were ups and downs, different experiences and different teams.
“There’s no better feeling than performing on Saturday and helping the team win. I just want to continue to improve and aim for the highest level possible.”
But there is one dream that has yet to come true.
“I’ve never played at Fratton Park or against Portsmouth,” he says. “I’ve always missed out on opportunities, but I hope it happens someday.”
Leo Castledine: Great debut at Stamford Bridge
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Huddersfield Town’s Chelsea loanee Leo Castledine speaks to Sky Sports about his journey with the Premier League giants.
And sticking to the theme of Chelsea’s youth…from former Blues to current Blues. Leo Castledine is currently on loan from the Premier League giants to League One side Huddersfield Town.
He was picked up by Chelsea at AFC Wimbledon as a teenager and as a boyhood fan it was a dream come true for the 20-year-old.
“There was a lot of interest from different clubs, but in my mind there was only one club that wanted to listen,” he says. “The day I got the call from Chelea, that was it for me. I couldn’t think of anything else.
“I became an academic, then a student, then signed my first professional contract.”
That moment came in January 2024. Castledyne made his debut as a late substitute in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough.
“It was something I always dreamed of,” he recalls. “I couldn’t have been happier. It was a night game under the lights at Stamford Bridge. It was a special night.”
Midweek EFL matches
All matches will be streamed live on Sky Sports+ and the Sky Sports app, with free highlights available on the Sky Sports app immediately after full-time. Kick-off at 7:45pm unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday Night – Championship
Hull vs Ipswich Middlesbrough vs Coventry Norwich vs Oxford Stoke vs Charlton Swansea vs Derby Watford vs Preston Southampton vs Leicester (8pm)
Tuesday night – League 1
Luton vs Huddersfield Peterborough vs Stevenage
Wednesday Night – Championship
Blackburn vs QPR Millwall vs Sheffield Wednesday Sheffield United vs Portsmouth Wrexham vs Bristol City West Brom vs Birmingham (8pm)
