The international break has finally arrived, but the opening weeks of the Championship have already given us plenty to discuss. Swansea City have emerged as unexpected 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 at the foot of the league with a mere four points. In the most recent Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast, former players Billy Sharp and Andy Hinchcliffe dissect the key talking points from the early stages of the season.
They cover everything from tactical trends to individual performances, and their analysis provides a useful framework for understanding where each club stands. **Swansea City – The Pressing Swans** Swansea have recorded five victories, two draws and only one defeat – that loss came at Southampton – under the guidance of Vitor Matos. Their style is built around a high‑press, relentless energy and a compact defensive shape that has yielded just six goals conceded so far. Sharp likens their pressing to the intensity of Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds side, noting that Swansea aim to win the ball back quickly and transition into attack almost immediately.
> "They have belief, they sit top of the league, they are scoring, and they have confidence heading into the tougher fixtures ahead," Sharp says. Hinchcliffe adds that Swansea possess the league's strongest defence, combine physicality with urgency, and have a clear identity on the pitch – aggressive whether they have possession or not. He warns, however, that maintaining that intensity will be the biggest challenge as opponents begin to sit deep and try to neutralise their press. **West Ham United – Firepower in the Championship** West Ham’s start was shaky – they failed to win any of their first three games – but they responded with four straight victories before a 2‑2 draw at Millwall.
Their attacking output is the best in the division, with 22 goals in eight matches. Sharp points out that the club was expected to bounce straight back to the Premier League, citing the passionate fan base and the quality of their forward line. Key players such as Jarrod Bowen, Joel Piroe, and the newly arrived Konstantinos Mavropanos (who has already netted four times from centre‑back) provide a diverse threat.
Hinchcliffe notes that, while West Ham’s defensive record is not as impressive, the sheer depth of their squad – including bench players who could start for many other Championship sides – gives them a huge advantage over a grueling 46‑game campaign. **Middlesbrough – A Summer Signing Paying Off** Middlesbrough sit third, level on points with West Ham, as the international break approaches. Summer acquisition Will Lankshear has already scored six times and could become a pivotal figure if he reaches the 20‑goal mark, providing a solid platform for a playoff push.
Hinchcliffe highlights the club’s significant reinvestment, mentioning the funds raised from the sales of Hayden Hackney and Morgan Rogers, which have allowed Middlesbrough to strengthen across the board, including a new goalkeeper and greater depth. Sharp believes the Boro have enough quality to finish in the top eight and contend for promotion, though he cautions that the Championship is more competitive this season, with teams like Southampton also performing strongly. **Wolverhampton Wanderers – Lopez Leads the Charge** Wolves have collected 14 points, thanks in part to a 1‑0 win over West Brom in which Fer Lopez scored the decisive goal.
The young Spanish midfielder, who returned to Molineux in the summer, has impressed with his Premier League‑level ability and adds a creative spark to Wolves’ attack. Hinchcliffe praises Lopez’s quality and the balance provided by midfielder Andre, while Sharp emphasizes the experience of veteran right‑back Kieran Trippier and the overall depth of the squad. **Sheffield United – A Rocky Start Under Wilder** Sheffield United have managed only two wins so far, and Chris Wilder has already altered the formation three times this season, creating uncertainty around the starting XI. Sharp acknowledges the lack of consistency but remains optimistic that the Blades can still reach the top eight if they build momentum and restore belief.
He specifically mentions Romelle Donovan as a potential match‑winner who needs more minutes. **Wrexham – Depth as a Double‑Edged Sword** Wrexham secured a notable victory over Southampton, their second win of the campaign, after a heavy 6‑0 defeat at West Ham. Manager Phil Parkinson has been rotating his squad heavily, trying to find the optimal lineup. Hinchcliffe observes that Wrexham possess an “incredible amount of depth,” essentially fielding two Championship‑quality teams, but warns that keeping everyone satisfied will be a managerial challenge.
Sharp compliments the club’s recruitment, noting that players like Kieffer Moore, when fit, can turn games around, and that new signings will likely need a settling period before delivering consistent performances. **Burnley – A Disastrous Opening Spell** Burnley sit at the very bottom with just four points and no wins.
Sharp describes their start as “slow” and highlights the defensive frailties that have seen them concede the joint‑most goals in the league. The loss of Zian Flemming, who impressed in the opening game against West Ham, has been a significant blow; Sharp believes Flemming could have contributed four or five goals on his own.
Hinchcliffe adds that constant changes to the lineup have prevented Burnley from establishing a clear identity or an aggressive approach. He stresses that a team that merely sits in its own half and allows opponents to dominate possession will struggle in the Championship, where physicality and pressing are essential.
**Derby County – Missing Key Players** Derby County, who narrowly missed the playoffs last season, now find themselves in the bottom three, saved only by a late point earned at Burnley. The loss of three influential players – striker Carlton Morris, midfielder Patrick Agyemang, and defender Matt Clarke – has left a noticeable void.
Both Sharp and Hinchcliffe agree that the absence of these core members affects squad depth, dressing‑room morale, and overall performance. While they concede that Derby still possess quality, the lack of consistency and defensive solidity makes a quick return to the top half unlikely.
**Overall Takeaways** The early phase of the Championship has already produced a clear hierarchy: Swansea’s disciplined pressing, West Ham’s attacking firepower, and Wolves’ balanced midfield stand out as the main narratives. Meanwhile, clubs like Burnley and Derby illustrate how injuries and squad turnover can quickly derail ambitions.
As the international break offers a brief pause, teams will have the chance to regroup, fine‑tune tactics, and address the shortcomings highlighted by Sharp and Hinchcliffe. The second half of the season promises to be a test of depth, consistency, and the ability to adapt – qualities that will ultimately separate the promotion hopefuls from the relegation battlers.