EFL Five Talking Points: Peterborough United’s manager hunt, international break & wide-open League Two

Welcome to my five talking points from across the English Football League, with the international break providing a chance to take stock of the season so far.

We will look at how the Championship is going, who is excelling and those who could be doing better.

A few League One fixtures have survived the break, but not many; we will preview those.

Meanwhile, League Two has almost a full calendar and the way it’s going this season, anyone can beat anybody else.

Several teams are on the lookout for a new manager too, following a few early-season casualties in the Football League.

Let’s dive right into the talking points…

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The Championship takes a break for the international fixtures

In the second tier, teams are starting to settle and after a frantic start to the season, the table is taking shape.

A pause in the season at this stage can either help or hinder, depending on each team’s current form.

It’s a chance to either get some fresh ideas and training into the players if you’re struggling, or it could falter your season if you’re flying and in form.

Swansea City and Middlesbrough are both early front-runners, alongside relegated side West Ham United, with the trio currently occupying the top three spots.

Lincoln City sit in 12th but have had a solid start to life in the Championship, their first season in the second tie since the 1960s, winning three of their four away fixtures.

Burnley, also dropping down from the Premier League, sit at the bottom of the pile as they struggle to bounce back, alongside Preston North End and in a bit of a shock to many football fans, Derby County, who narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season.

A look ahead to League One

A few fixtures have survived in the third tier, Cambridge United play AFC Wimbledon in a fifth vs seventh clash – a win could really catapult their season and propel them towards the top three following last season’s League Two promotion.

Plymouth Argyle, who have started the season strongly, host mid-table Burton Albion.

The Brewers will be hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s draw with Mansfield Town and a victory would take them to within a point of the Pilgrims.

Stockport County host manager-less Peterborough United, meanwhile, Reading travel to Wycombe Wanderers.

The Royals sit just outside the playoffs, whilst County sit just a place lower, both teams will be looking for maximum points.

These eight teams can get a leap on others who will have to play their own rearranged games.

A preview of League Two

The bottom division in the Football League seems to be the hardest to call.

Barnet sit top of the pile having won four and drawn three, Walsall and Grimsby Town are also unbeaten so far, occupying second and third respectivley.

The only other side to avoid defeat so far are ninth-placed Crewe Alexandra, however, the Alex have drawn five of their opening seven matches.

Crawley Town v Barnet and Port Vale v Northampton Town are the only League Two fixtures postponed by the international break, with the rest of the division in action.

Gillingham travelling up to York City stands out, as fourth play seventh, with just a point separating the two clubs.

Oldham Athletic hosting Salford City in the evening kick-off looks a good clash as well.

Managerial changes for Peterborough, Wycombe & Preston

Last weekend, Peterborough parted ways with Luke Williams, with Posh sitting down in 23rd in League One.

From their seven opening fixtures, Williams’ side had claimed just one win and two draws.

Wycombe have also changed their manager recently with Michael Duff suffering the axe after amassing just three points from a possible fifteen.

Interim manager Tom Hounsell has won both of his matches in charge against Leyton Orient and Wigan Athletic and could land the job permanently.

Championship side Preston were the first to strike, with the sacking of Paul Heckingbottom, but they are still waiting to appoint his successor, despite the Lancashire club being strongly linked with former Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane.

Can Paul Warne turn things around at MK Dons?

MK Dons were promoted to League One last season, but are struggling to adapt to life in the third tier.

This is despite the 53-year-old being backed in the transfer market this summer.

Players such as Sam Nombe, Dan Barlaser and Ryan Wintle have all arrived at Stadium MK, as the club looks to progress to the next steps and solidify their place in the league.

The Dons remain winless this campaign, gaining six draws. They are also hard to beat losing just once.

Paul Warne will be hoping to turn those draws into wins pretty fast, so that he isn’t the third casualty in League One this season. 

READ MORE: Phil Bardsley ‘very concerned’ about bottom-of-the-Championship side Burnley