The international break has finally arrived, but the early weeks of the Championship have already given us plenty of material to discuss. At the top of the table, Swansea City have emerged as unexpected leaders after just eight matches, while West Ham United sit comfortably in second place, with Middlesbrough and Wolverhampton Wanderers not far behind.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Burnley remain winless and anchored at the bottom with a meagre four points. In the most recent episode of the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast, former players Billy Sharp and Andy Hinchcliffe dissected the key talking points from the opening phase of the season. They highlighted the contrasting fortunes of clubs across the division and offered insight into what lies ahead for each side. Swansea City have recorded five victories, two draws and only one defeat – that loss came at Southampton – under the guidance of Vitor Matos.
Their brand of football has attracted praise for its high‑pressing intensity, relentless energy, and defensive solidity, having conceded just six goals so far. Sharp likened their pressing style to Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds, noting the Swans’ desire to win the ball quickly and transition into attack. "They have belief, they are top of the league, they are scoring, and they have confidence heading into a tougher run of fixtures," Sharp said.
Hinchcliffe added, "They possess the best defence in the league, combined with urgency, physicality and a clear identity – they know exactly how they want to play, whether they have the ball or not. The challenge now is to maintain that intensity as opponents begin to sit deep and try to frustrate them." West Ham United’s start was rocky – they failed to win any of their first three games – but they responded with four straight victories before drawing 2‑2 away at Millwall. Their attacking output is the most prolific in the division, with 22 goals in eight matches. Sharp pointed out that the club was expected to bounce straight back to the Premier League, citing the passionate fanbase and the quality of their forward line.
"The comeback at Millwall showed resilience. Players like Jarrod Bowen, Joel Piroe and the rest bring a lot of quality and experience," he said.
Hinchcliffe noted that while their defensive record is not as impressive, the offensive firepower cannot be ignored. He highlighted centre‑back Konstantinos Mavropanos, who has already netted four goals, as well as the contributions of Bowen, Manor Solomon, Divine Mukasa and Piroe. The depth of their squad, with bench players who could start for most Championship sides, gives them a significant advantage over a long season. Middlesbrough sit third, level on points with West Ham, as the international break approaches.
Summer signing Will Lankshear has already scored six times, prompting questions about whether the club has enough depth to challenge for promotion again. Hinchcliffe praised the club’s investment, noting that the funds generated from the sales of Hayden Hackney and Morgan Rogers have been reinvested in a stronger squad, including a new goalkeeper and greater depth across the pitch. Sharp added, "If Lankshear reaches 20 goals, Middlesbrough will have a massive platform.
They have enough quality to be in the play‑offs and at least within the top eight. The Championship is stronger this season, but they should aim for those positions." Wolverhampton Wanderers have also enjoyed a solid start, amassing 14 points after a 1‑0 win over West Bromwich Albion, with Fer Lopez scoring the decisive goal. The young Spaniard, who returned to Molineux in the summer, has impressed with Premier League‑level performances.
Hinchcliffe said, "Lopez provides quality and gives Wolves the attacking edge they need, while Andre (a holding midfielder) offers balance, allowing the forwards more freedom." Sharp echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Lopez’s ability to change games and the experience that Kieran Trippier brings to the back line. Sheffield United, under Chris Wilder, have managed only two wins so far. Sharp observed that the team has altered its formation three times this season, leading to a lack of consistency.
"They have the players and the squad strength, but they need to settle on a system and build momentum. Romelle Donovan, when fit, can be a match‑winner," he said.
Despite the early disappointment, Sharp believes they can still push for a top‑eight finish if they find stability. Wrexham recorded a convincing win over Southampton, their second victory of the campaign, following a heavy 6‑0 defeat at West Ham. Manager Phil Parkinson has been rotating his side extensively, trying to discover the optimal lineup. Hinchcliffe praised the depth of the squad, likening it to having essentially two Championship‑quality teams.
He warned that keeping all players satisfied will be a challenge, but the quality throughout the roster should serve them well over a grueling season. Sharp highlighted the club’s recruitment, noting that signings such as Kieffer Moore provide finishing ability and that new arrivals will need a few weeks to adapt before fully contributing.
At the very bottom, Burnley have yet to taste victory, sitting on four points after eight games. Sharp described their start as "slow" and criticized the defensive frailties that have seen them concede the joint‑most goals in the league.
The loss of Zian Flemming, who showed his quality against West Ham, was a significant blow. Hinchcliffe added that constant personnel changes have prevented the team from establishing a clear identity or aggressive approach.
"You cannot sit in your own half and let opponents dominate; you must be more assertive," he said. Derby County, who narrowly missed the play‑offs last season, now find themselves in the bottom three, having secured only a late point against Burnley.
The club is missing key players such as Carlton Morris, Patrick Agyemang and Matt Clarke, which has exposed a lack of depth. Both Sharp and Hinchcliffe agreed that the absence of these experienced figures has disrupted the dressing‑room atmosphere and on‑field performance. While the situation is dire, they both offered a cautious optimism that the return of the missing players could revive Derby’s fortunes. Overall, the early stages of the Championship have produced a fascinating mix of surprise leaders, attacking fireworks, and struggling sides trying to find their footing.
As the league pauses for the international break, clubs will use the time to regroup, address weaknesses, and plan for the demanding months ahead. The conversation will undoubtedly continue when play resumes, with fans eager to see whether Swansea can maintain their unexpected dominance, if West Ham can sustain their goal‑rich form, and whether the struggling teams can turn their seasons around.