EFL analysis: Five talking points – Managers under pressure, perfect Charlton Athletic and more

By Holly Wright

The EFL season is only three games old, but plenty of talking points are already emerging across the Championship, League One and League Two.

While some clubs have made flying starts and quickly established themselves near the top of their respective divisions, others are already facing questions over their performances and results.

There is also plenty of intrigue surrounding the sides who came into the campaign with high expectations, with some struggling to live up to their billing while others have wasted no time in making their mark.

With another weekend of action in the books, here are five of the biggest talking points from the latest round of EFL fixtures.

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Who will be the first manager to go?

The first managerial sacking of the season is looming with several Championship bosses already under pressure.

John Eustace is firmly in the spotlight after Derby County suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Swansea City at Pride Park, with boos ringing out at full-time.

Eustace guided Derby to within touching distance of the play-offs last season, missing out on a top six finish on the final day. 

That raised expectations but, after a summer of poor recruitment, alarm bells are already starting to ring.

The early performances have fallen well short, and the Swansea defeat has only increased the scrutiny on the head coach.

Paul Heckingbottom is also under pressure at Preston North End after supporters booed the team off following another disappointing result. 

Questions over his team selection and use of players out of position have added to the frustration.

Mark Robins is another manager facing questions. Stoke City took the lead against Wolverhampton Wanderers before collapsing to a 4-1 defeat, leaving them bottom of the Championship. 

The Potters have won just three Championship matches since January.

Further down the EFL, Russell Martin’s return to League One with Leicester City has also been difficult. 

He has collected just two points from three matches, including a 2-1 defeat to Burton Albion and draws with Notts County and MK Dons.

For a side expected to challenge for promotion, the early results are not good enough. 

There is a long way to go, but pressure is already building across the EFL.

Charlton Athletic remain the only perfect side in the EFL

While several clubs are struggling, Charlton Athletic continue to enjoy a perfect start.

The Addicks remain the only team across the EFL with a 100 per cent record after another victory this weekend.

Several other sides began the weekend unbeaten but have now fallen away. 

Millwall were beaten by Southampton at St Mary’s, West Bromwich Albion suffered a heavy defeat at Middlesbrough and Bradford City lost 2-0 to Plymouth Argyle.

For Bradford, the result could raise early concerns over their away form. 

The Bantams struggled on the road last season, and another poor result away from home will bring those problems back into focus. 

Plymouth, meanwhile, claimed their first victory of the campaign.

In League Two, Barnet maintained their unbeaten start after Kabongo Tshimanga’s second-half penalty earned a point against Cheltenham Town.

Crewe Alexandra saw their perfect beginning come to an end with a 0-0 draw against Port Vale.

Charlton, though, remain the only side yet to drop a point, giving them an early chance to establish themselves at the top.

The step up is proving difficult for Rochdale

The transition from the National League to the EFL is rarely straightforward, and Rochdale are discovering just how difficult life back in League Two can be.

Dale remain bottom after another defeat, with Jaden Williams scoring a late winner for Colchester United in a 1-0 victory.

Rochdale’s only victory this season came in the Carabao Cup preliminary round against Tranmere Rovers on penalties.

Since then, they have conceded six goals across three League Two matches while scoring just once, leaving them with no points on the board.

It is a stark contrast to fellow promoted side York City. 

The Minstermen are unbeaten after two wins and a draw from their opening three matches. 

They have scored eight times and conceded six, leaving them third in the early table.

The contrasting starts highlight how quickly fortunes can change when stepping back into the EFL. 

Rochdale now need to stop the slide before an early confidence problem becomes something more difficult to overcome.

The goals just keep on coming

There was certainly no shortage of entertainment across the EFL this weekend, with 115 goals scored across the three divisions.

The Championship produced 40 goals, League One 43 and League Two another 32.

Wolves came from behind to beat Stoke 4-1; Norwich City recorded the same scoreline against Burnley and Southampton produced the weekend’s biggest victory with a 5-1 demolition of Millwall.

League One arguably stole the show. 

Sheffield Wednesday put seven past Bromley in a 7-2 victory, Stockport County beat Wycombe Wanderers 5-1 and Mansfield Town defeated Luton Town 5-2.

League Two also provided plenty of entertainment, with Walsall beating Accrington Stanley 3-2, while Barnet and Cheltenham, Grimsby Town and Fleetwood Town, and Newport County and Tranmere Rovers all shared the points in 2-2 draws.

The early numbers suggest supporters across the EFL are getting plenty of entertainment, and if this weekend is anything to go by, there should be no shortage of drama as the season develops.

Deadline Day and a hectic midweek ahead

There is little time for clubs to catch their breath, with transfer deadline day arriving on Tuesday.

The summer window closes at 11pm, giving clubs one final opportunity to strengthen their squads before the first half of the season takes shape.

The opening three matches may have changed recruitment plans. 

For some, the weekend will have highlighted the need for another signing, while injuries or disappointing performances could have altered priorities.

Then comes another round of league football.

The midweek schedule means managers will barely have time to assess the weekend before preparing for another fixture, while new arrivals could potentially be thrown straight into their teams.

By Tuesday night, squads will be set for the first half of the season, but by the end of the midweek programme, the picture at both ends of the table could already look different.

It is an unusually busy spell this early in the campaign, but that is part of the appeal of the EFL. 

Transfers, injuries, results and managerial pressure can all change the conversation within a matter of days.

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