How have West Ham, Burnley and Wolves fared since dropping into the EFL Championship?
As we’ve arrived at the first international break, three of the favourites for promotion have enjoyed vastly different beginnings to life in the Championship, writes Sports News Blitz’s Gabriel Mills.
Both Wolves and West Ham have taken in stints at the top of the table, while fellow relegated side Burnley have been slumped at the foot of it.
However, with just eight matches played, how much can we take from how these sides have begun and are they good value for their positions heading into October?
West Ham – second (15 points)
Many expected Nuno Espírito Santo’s men to walk to the Championship title, but their first three matches were anything but ideal in their quest.
The Hammers went two up away to Burnley in the opening matchweek yet threw away the lead in the final 10 minutes to draw 2-2.
The following week, Charlton arrived at the London Stadium and left with all three points – Taty Castellanos missing a late penalty to equalise which left the home fans stunned along with the rest of the league.
The wait for a win then went on as West Ham could only manage a 1-1 draw away at Watford, needing a calamitous own goal to equalise.
Turning point
A huge Wednesday night fixture under the lights against Wolves was the turning point – Nuno’s side put four goals past their manager’s former club to get the first win on the board.
Was it a convincing 4-2 victory? Not particularly. Was it important? Absolutely.
This set West Ham away on a four-match win streak, scoring 16 goals in that time including a 6-0 demolition of Wrexham.
Importantly, the big players began to shine.
Jarrod Bowen hit four goals and two assists while Konstantinos Mavropanos found form in front of goal from centre-back.
A point at the Den against bitter rivals Millwall ended the winning streak but after a dismal first half, Hammers fans would take a 2-2 draw.
West Ham have seemingly clicked following a slow start, and an automatic promotion spot feels the minimum they can achieve with a star-studded team.
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Burnley – 24th (four points)
It is as extraordinary as it is dire that Burnley sit rock bottom of the Championship after eight league matches.
The Clarets are the only side without a win in the division and one of just two winless sides in the entire EFL.
Losing last season’s top scorer was a big blow as Zian Flemming was snapped up by Ipswich for around £20 million on deadline day.
Holding on to leads has troubled Burnley heavily so far, with Nicky Hayen’s men scoring first against Bristol City, West Brom, Wrexham and Derby but managing to lose to two of them.
Tough run
It is worth noting that Burnley have been faced with a difficult opening run of fixtures, having already played four of the top five.
In a home match against a strong Middlesbrough side, the Clarets showed grit and quality to secure a well-earned point – but this side of them has not been shown enough.
The players are capable of hitting levels that can propel them up the table, but it has been showcased rarely so far, which reflects their dismal league position.
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Wolves – fourth (14 points)
Wolves have perhaps shown the greatest level of consistency out of the three relegated sides.
Their sole loss came in that clash at the London Stadium where Wolves were not outclassed despite conceding four.
Convincing wins against Preston and Stoke in which the Old Gold scored seven times showcased a squad that oozes class – no player more so than Fer López, who was nominated for Championship Player of the Month for August.
The 22-year-old Spaniard looks levels above the second division, having hit four goals and two assists in seven matches.
The West Midlands side also have a game in hand over the rest of the promotion hopefuls which could take them to the top of the table.
Defensive concerns
While their attacking play is dynamic, free-flowing and almost impossible to stop, there was plenty of concern over the defensive side.
Having conceded 10 goals in the opening five matches, Wolves have tightened up in the most recent two.
A first clean sheet of the season came away at Sheffield United as Raúl Jiménez struck an 89th-minute winner.
This was backed up by a dominant win at home in the Black Country derby against West Brom – the hosts keeping another clean sheet and conceding just 0.27 expected goals.
If the previous defensive worries have been squashed, Wolves could be a huge threat towards those chasing them for promotion.
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