Flying Swans, West Ham firepower & Burnley misery - Championship talking points
We have hit the bumper international break and there has been plenty to talk about in the Championship so far.
The Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast panel of Billy Sharp and Andy Hinchcliffe review the start of the Championship season, including Swansea City's fine start, West Ham's pursuit of bouncing back and Burnley's plight
We have hit the bumper international break and there has been plenty to talk about in the Championship so far.
Swansea City are the surprise leaders after eight games, while West Ham are in second with Middlesbrough and Wolves not too far behind.
At the other end are Burnley, still without a win and rooted to the bottom of the table on just four points.
On the latest Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast , Billy Sharp and Andy Hinchcliffe look at all the big talking points from the opening part of the Championship season.
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Five wins, two draws and just a sole defeat coming at Southampton so far for Vitor Matos' side. Swansea have won admirers for their high-press, energetic style and their ruthlessness at the back - conceding just six goals so far.
Billy Sharp: "Their pressing reminds me a little bit of Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds. They are trying to win the ball back quickly and then attack you.
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"They have got belief. They are top of the league and they are scoring goals. They have got a lot of confidence and they have got some kind fixtures coming up, so they will be looking to keep that momentum going."
Andy Hinchcliffe: "They have got the best defence in the league. They have got energy, urgency and they press teams. There is a real physicality to them as well.
"What I like is that they have got a clear identity. They know how they want to play and they are aggressive with and without the ball.
"When you are top of the league, there is an expectation that comes with it. The challenge is maintaining those energy levels because teams are going to come and sit in against you and make it difficult."
It was a tricky start for West Ham as they went winless in their first three. But they went on to win their next four, before battling back at Millwall to earn a 2-2 draw last Saturday.
They are by far and away the top scorers in the Championship, with 22 goals in their first eight games.
Sharp: "West Ham were expected to go straight back up. They have got passionate fans and a lot of attacking power.
"The comeback at Millwall showed a lot of resilience. You look at the players they have got, Jarrod Bowen, Joel Piroe and the attacking players, and there is a lot of quality there.
"The character in that dressing room is important. They have got players who have been there and done it, and they have got enough quality to cause teams problems." Hinchcliffe: "Their defensive ranking is not as good, but you cannot ignore the attacking firepower they have got.
"They have got players who can win you games. Konstantinos Mavropanos has scored four goals as a centre-back, Bowen's leadership, Manor Solomon, Divine Mukasa and Piroe. They have got so much attacking talent.
"If you look at their bench, they can bring players on who would probably start for most teams in the Championship. That gives you a huge advantage over a long season."
Middlesbrough head into the international break in third place, level on points with West Ham.
Will Lankshear has been a standout summer addition, scoring six times so far, but do they have the depth of squad to challenge for the top two again?
Hinchcliffe: "They have invested heavily and they have got some really good players. The money they got for Hayden Hackney and Morgan Rogers has allowed them to build again.
"They have got a new goalkeeper and they have got depth throughout the squad. You look at the players they can bring off the bench and there is a lot of attacking quality.
"It is still a work in progress, but I expect them to be in that mix for the top two."
Sharp: "Lankshear is a big one for them. If he gets 20 goals, that gives Middlesbrough a massive platform.
"They have got a lot of good players and I expect them to be around the play-offs. They have got enough quality to be in that top eight at least.
"But the Championship is stronger this season. Southampton are strong, there are a lot of good teams, but Middlesbrough should be looking at the top eight and the play-offs."
Wolves have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign, also. They have picked up 14 points, after a 1-0 win over West Brom on Sunday - with Fer Lopez scoring the winner.
The young Spaniard arrived back at Molineux in the summer, and has been exceptional so far this season. Could he lead Wolves back to the Premier League?
Hinchcliffe: "Lopez looks like a Premier League-level player. There is a real quality about him and the way Wolves want to attack.
"Andre gives them that holding midfield role and allows the attacking players to play with more freedom.
"They have got players who can hurt you and there is a lot of quality in that squad."
Sharp: "He is a big player for them. He has got quality and he can make things happen.
"Kieran Trippier gives them experience and leadership, while Andre gives them balance in midfield.
