EFL five things: Can Ipswich finally stop Coventry? Plus an East Midlands rivalry

The chase is better than the catch, sang Motorhead’s late-lamented frontman Lemmy and maybe those heavy rock fans among the Ipswich squad might be humming that particular tune when lining up against Coventry on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

These are heady days for Sky Blues fans with records being broken at an impressively regular rate as Frank Lampard’s side set a ferocious pace at the top of the Championship.

A Premier League return which is, so far, 24 years in the making, looks even for the most beaten down of cynics increasingly plausible.

Ipswich thought all their Christmases had come at once when winning promotion to the Premier League but, four wins, 24 defeats and 82 goals conceded later, they still bear the scars of what a trip to the top table so often means for those ‘lucky’ enough to get there.

There is a feeling in Suffolk they still have not shaken off the hangover, even if the Tractor Boys are just outside the play-off places and only five points off second.

But their inconsistent run, which depending on your point of view, is either the result of or a direct influence on Kieran McKenna’s constant tinkering with his line-up, continues to hold them back.

It does seem a bit Grinch-like to try to spoil the party before the bunting has even gone up but this Christmas past v Christmas present meeting might prove whether they are holding the Ace of Spades.