League Focus: Brighton Lead Way in Typically Unpredictable Championship Start

Five games in and already the Championship has shown its inherent dislike for predictors and tipsters, vainly attempting to figure out the most unpredictable division of all. Everybody laughed on 3 August when Brighton tweeted that vine of Bobby Zamora saying “I’m back” while clutching the Seagulls’ shirt. Entering the international break, it is Chris Hughton’s team, unfancied and even mooted as relegation candidates by some, that are smiling.

Three point leads mean little at this juncture but considering nobody had mentioned Brighton in the build-up to the campaign as promotion contenders, it has been a fine start, bookended by victories against Nottingham Forest and Ipswich. Zamora’s impact thus far has been minimal – 12 minutes – and he may not be an automatic choice when fully fit due to the fine starts made by Kazenga LuaLua and Tommer Hemed, both with three goals to their name, and Hemed’s strike partner Sam Baldock, though the former has already accrued four yellow cards meaning a suspension cannot be too far away.

Lua Lua is joined by the energetic right-back Bruno and central midfielder Dale Stephens in the WhoScored team of the season so far. Another key is how settled their team is, nine players have started all five matches, but they have let leads slip twice and all four wins have only come by a single goal. But Brighton fans beware: there is previous for teams falling rapidly off the pace following a strong start. Blackpool sat top after six games in 13/14 only to finish 20th, surviving by four points, though much of that was down to off-field and discipline issues.

The relegated teams have all fared relatively well, which comes as little surprise considering the strength of their respective squads. QPR started inauspiciously, losing at Charlton and letting a lead slip to draw at home to Cardiff, but with Charlie Austin firing, they have won three in a row. Keeping hold of their star striker, amid interest from several Premier League sides, is a major boost. Matt Phillips (two goals and two assists) along with Tjaron Chery (three goals) have also impressed from attacking midfield.

It would not be inconceivable to see Hull yo-yo straight back up, though losing Nikica Jelavic to West Ham might hurt. Abel Hernández has barely featured but has two goals with six others on one goal, yet there is a lot of depth with Sone Aluko and Chuba Akpom capable of producing the goods consistently.

Burnley’s beginning has been slightly less convincing – not least the curious case of Jelle Vossen arriving to much fanfare only to leave for Club Brugge two months later – but they showed signs of consistency with a pair of wins before the international break and sit ninth. Joey Barton, maligned as he is by many, is a terrific acquisition yet goals appear their biggest concern without Danny Ings. Michael Keane, the centre-half, leads on that front with half of their six goals, with only one coming from an attacker, Sam Vokes.

It will take a little longer to get a fuller sense of who can genuinely challenge but at this point there are already a few worried managers, not least Steve Evans, whose Rotherham side sit bottom having lost four and drawn one.

The biggest disappointment – a feeling becoming increasingly familiar to their supporters – thus far has been Derby County, still winless under Paul Clement.  Factor in that they were dumped out of the League Cup in the opening round by League Two Portsmouth, and it might not be too long before serious questions are asked of the managerial capabilities of one of the world’s most respected coaches. Will Hughes’ serious knee injury, ruling him out for six months, is a major blow but their inability to keep a clean sheet will be Clement’s greatest worry.

All three newly-promoted sides have registered their first wins but MK Dons are the ones who have impressed most, sitting in 11th and showing there is excitement without the departed Dele Alli. Preston have lost their last two, albeit against promotion-targeting Ipswich and Hull, while Bristol City appear inconsistent yet a lot of fun. They led twice against Brentford only to lose 4-2 after Luke Freeman’s sending off but have gone to Middlesbrough and won.

Which players have you been impressed by in the opening month of the Championship season? Let us know in the comments below