The recent international break has given us a chance to reflect on the opening weeks of the Championship, and there is plenty to discuss. Swansea City have emerged as the surprise leaders after just eight fixtures, while West Ham United sit comfortably in second place, with Middlesbrough and Wolverhampton Wanderers not far behind. At the opposite end of the table, Burnley remain winless and are anchored to the bottom with only four points.
In the latest episode of the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast, former players Billy Sharp and Andy Hinchcliffe dissect the key talking points from the first segment of the season. They cover everything from tactical trends to individual performances, offering insight for fans who want a deeper understanding of what’s happening across the league. ### Swansea City – The High‑Pressing Swans Swansea have recorded five victories, two draws and a single loss (to Southampton) under manager Vitor Matos. Their style is built around an aggressive, high‑press that forces opponents into mistakes, followed by quick transitions and a ruthless defensive record – they have conceded only six goals so far.
Sharp likens their pressing to Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds side, noting the Swans’ desire to win the ball back instantly and launch attacks. Hinchcliffe adds that Swansea possess the league’s best defence, combined with energy, urgency and physicality. He praises their clear identity: they know exactly how they want to play, whether they have possession or are defending, and they execute with aggression.
The challenge for Swansea now is maintaining those intensity levels. As the leaders, they will face teams that will sit deep and try to frustrate their rhythm, so consistency will be vital if they hope to stay on top. ### West Ham United – A Goal‑Scoring Machine West Ham’s start was uneven: they failed to win any of their first three matches, but then surged with four consecutive victories and a hard‑earned 2‑2 draw at Millwall. Their attacking output is remarkable – 22 goals in eight games – making them the highest‑scoring side in the division.
Sharp points out that the club was expected to bounce straight back to the Premier League, thanks to a passionate fan base and a wealth of attacking talent. He highlights the contributions of Jarrod Bowen, Joel Piroe, Manor Solomon, Divine Mukasa and the defensive goal‑scorer Konstantinos Mavropanos. Hinchcliffe notes that while West Ham’s defensive ranking is not elite, their firepower cannot be ignored. The depth of their squad is a major advantage; even their bench players could start for many Championship sides, giving them a long‑term edge over the course of a grueling season.
### Middlesbrough – Summer Signing Lankshear Shines Middlesbrough sit in third place, level on points with West Ham, as the league heads into the international pause. New signing Will Lankshear has been a revelation, netting six goals so far. Sharp believes that if Lankshear reaches the 20‑goal mark, it will provide a solid platform for the club to challenge for a playoff spot. Hinchcliffe adds that the club’s recent investment – including the sales of Hayden Hackney and Morgan Rogers – has allowed them to rebuild with a stronger squad, including a new goalkeeper and depth throughout the roster.
While they may still be a work in progress, both pundits expect Middlesbrough to be part of the top‑eight conversation. ### Wolverhampton Wanderers – Lopez Leads the Charge Wolves have accumulated 14 points after a 1‑0 win over West Brom, with Spanish midfielder Fer López scoring the decisive goal. Returning to Molineux in the summer, López has impressed with Premier League‑level quality, providing a creative spark in midfield. Hinchcliffe praises his ability to combine with the likes of Kieran Trippier, whose experience and leadership are invaluable, and Andre, who offers balance in the centre of the park.
Sharp agrees that López’s presence gives Wolves a solid platform to build on as they aim to return to the top flight. ### Sheffield United – A Rocky Start Under Wilder Sheffield United have managed only two wins so far, and Chris Wilder has experimented with three different formations. Sharp notes the lack of consistency and the difficulty fans are experiencing, but he still sees potential for a top‑eight finish if the club can generate momentum and belief. He specifically mentions Romelle Donovan as a potential match‑winner who could change games when given the chance.
### Wrexham – Depth and Recruitment Pay Off Wrexham secured a big win over Southampton, their second victory of the season, after a heavy 6‑0 defeat at West Ham the previous weekend. Manager Phil Parkinson has been rotating his squad heavily, trying to find the optimal lineup. Hinchcliffe applauds the club’s depth, describing them as having “virtually two Championship teams” on their books. Sharp highlights the club’s recruitment strategy, noting that new signings have the quality to influence matches once they settle into the league.
### Burnley – A Disastrous Opening At the very bottom, Burnley have collected just four points from eight games and have yet to register a win. Sharp criticises their defensive frailties, pointing out that conceding heavily in the Championship makes victories unlikely. The loss of Zian Flemming, who impressed in the opening match against West Ham, has been a significant blow. Hinchcliffe adds that constant changes to the lineup and a lack of aggression both on and off the ball have hampered the team’s ability to compete.
Their joint‑most goals‑against tally after eight fixtures underscores the urgency of finding a solid defensive formula. ### Derby County – Missing Key Players Derby County, who narrowly missed the playoffs last season, find themselves in the bottom three after a poor start.
Injuries to core players such as Carlton Morris, Patrick Agyemang and Matt Clarke have left a noticeable gap in quality and leadership. Both Sharp and Hinchcliffe agree that the absence of these individuals has disrupted the squad’s rhythm and confidence. While the club still has potential, they must address the depth issue quickly if they hope to climb out of the relegation zone.
Overall, the first eight games of the Championship have delivered a mix of surprise leaders, prolific scorers, and struggling sides. As the league pauses for the international break, clubs will have the opportunity to regroup, adjust tactics, and reinforce squads. The coming weeks should reveal whether early‑season form can be sustained, especially for teams like Swansea and West Ham that have set a high bar, or if clubs such as Burnley and Derby can reverse their fortunes before the race for promotion and survival intensifies.