The international break has finally arrived, but the early weeks of the Championship have already offered plenty of material for discussion. At the moment, Swansea City sit atop the table after just eight matches, while West Ham United occupy second place, with Middlesbrough and Wolverhampton Wanderers close behind. At the opposite end of the table, Burnley remain winless and are anchored to the bottom with a mere four points. In the most recent episode of the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast, former professionals Billy Sharp and Andy Hinchcliffe dissect the key storylines that have emerged from the opening phase of the season.
They touch on everything from tactical trends and transfer chatter to the broader context of English football. Swansea City have surprised many by leading the division. Under Vitor Matos, they have recorded five victories, two draws and only one defeat – that loss coming at Southampton.
Their success stems from a high‑pressing, energetic approach that forces opponents into mistakes, coupled with a remarkably stingy defence that has yielded just six goals against them so far. Sharp likens their pressing style to Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds, noting the speed with which they win the ball back and transition to attack. Hinchcliffe adds that Swansea possess the league's best defensive record, combine physicality with urgency, and have forged a clear identity: aggressive whether they have possession or not. Maintaining that intensity will be a challenge, however, as other teams will begin to sit deep and try to frustrate their forward momentum.
West Ham United have had a more roller‑coaster start. After three games without a win, they turned the tide with four consecutive victories before settling for a 2‑2 draw at Millwall. Their attacking output is the most prolific in the division – 22 goals in eight games – and the club’s supporters expected an immediate bounce‑back to the Premier League. Sharp points out the importance of the club’s passionate fan base and the quality of its forward line, which includes Jarrod Bowen, Joel Piroe, Manor Solomon and the ever‑reliable Konstantinos Mavropanos, who has already contributed four goals from centre‑back.
Hinchcliffe emphasizes that, while West Ham’s defensive ranking may lag behind, the depth of talent on the bench – players who could start for many other Championship sides – gives them a significant advantage over a grueling season. Middlesbrough sit third, level on points with West Ham, and have benefited from the summer signing of Will Lankshear, who has already found the net six times.
The club has reinvested the fees received for Hayden Hackney and Morgan Rogers to strengthen the squad, adding a new goalkeeper and bolstering depth across the pitch. Both pundits agree that while Middlesbrough may not yet have the squad depth of the top two, they possess enough quality to challenge for a play‑off place and, if Lankshear reaches a 20‑goal tally, they could mount a serious promotion bid. Wolverhampton Wanderers have also enjoyed a solid start, amassing 14 points after a 1‑0 victory over West Bromwich Albion, courtesy of a late winner from Fer Lopez.
The Spanish midfielder, who returned to Molineux in the summer, has impressed with Premier League‑calibre performances. Hinchcliffe praises his ability to dictate play and provide a platform for the attacking unit, while Sharp highlights the experience of Kieran Trippier and the midfield balance supplied by Andre, noting that such players give Wolves a sturdy foundation to build upon.
Sheffield United, under Chris Wilder, have managed only two wins so far, and their season has been marked by frequent formation changes that have left fans uncertain about the starting XI. Sharp believes the Blades still have the potential to finish in the top eight, provided they find consistency, build momentum and give regular minutes to match‑winners like Romelle Donovan. Wrexham, managed by Phil Parkinson, recorded a notable 2‑0 win over Southampton, their second triumph of the campaign, after a heavy 6‑0 defeat at West Ham. Parkinson has been rotating his squad heavily, attempting to locate the optimal combination.
Hinchcliffe notes the depth of the Wrexham roster – essentially two full‑strength Championship squads – and stresses the importance of keeping a large group of quality players happy throughout a long season. Sharp adds that the club’s recruitment has been astute, creating a squad capable of adapting without a significant drop in quality. At the very bottom, Burnley have struggled mightily, failing to secure a win and conceding the joint‑most goals in the league.
Sharp attributes their poor start to a leaky defence and the loss of Zian Flemming, who had shown the ability to score multiple goals in a single match. Hinchcliffe highlights the constant tinkering with line‑ups and a lack of aggression both on and off the ball, warning that a passive approach cannot succeed in the Championship’s fast‑paced environment. Derby County, who narrowly missed the play‑offs last season, now find themselves in the relegation zone after losing key players such as Carlton Morris, Patrick Agyemang and Matt Clarke. Both pundits agree that the absence of these core figures has disrupted squad cohesion and morale, making it difficult for the team to generate chances and keep clean sheets.
Sharp remains cautiously optimistic, suggesting that the return of those players could revive Derby’s fortunes, but stresses that the current situation is precarious. Overall, the early phase of the Championship has delivered a mixture of surprise leaders, high‑scoring attacks, and struggling clubs trying to find their footing. As the international break provides a brief pause, teams will have the opportunity to regroup, address weaknesses, and return with renewed ambition for the remainder of the season.