Following another entertaining weekend of action, Tom Harle looks at the 10 key takeaways from the second round of games in the Championship.
Brilliant Boro
Middlesbrough had put Bolton to bed early on Saturday, with some razor-sharp attacking yielding three goals within the first half an hour. This was the kind of ominous performance prospective champions make a habit of delivering, regardless of what stage the campaign is at.
Diego Fabbrini played like a man possessed, scoring once with a lovely effort and setting one up for Kike, who netted a brace. The big-money addition of David Nugent, who is guaranteed goals, is another sign of intent from Aitor Karanka’s team.
We need to talk about Allan
A glaring error from Hull’s goalkeeper Allan McGregor threw away two points and a perfect start for his team, as Wolves gained a 1-1 draw at Molineux. Steve Bruce has already backed his man, and expect him to recover quickly.
Hull scarcely deserved a draw, defending deep in the first half and nicking a penalty, which was converted by Nikica Jelavic. Wolves, who should set their sights high this season, are already showing signs of missing Bakary Sako’s attacking verve.
In-Clemency continues
Derby County remain without a win under their new head coach Paul Clement. They scrambled through a goalless draw on opening day at Bolton, before crashing out of the League Cup to fourth tier Portsmouth midweek.
The Rams had the better of Saturday’s home game against Charlton, creating 27 goalscoring opportunities but defied by the determined defending of the Addicks. The long-term injury to Will Hughes is a worry, but the most urgent concern for Clement will be getting his first win on the board, beginning with a tough-looking game against Middlesbrough.
Set piece session
Three of the four goals, excepting Scott Malone’s brilliant volley, scored in the tea-time kick-off between QPR and Cardiff came from corners.
With all the emphasis on ball retention, the value of accurately taken and well drilled set pieces can easily be forsaken. Watford and Bournemouth, the two teams that gained automatic promotion, scored the most goals from such situations last term. Teams that execute them well are often rewarded. This should be noted.
Tractor Boys on the move, slowly
It was a painful return to winning ways for unbeaten Ipswich Town, who won at Portman Road through a scrappy effort from Tommy Smith, adding to Freddie Sears’ earlier effort. Little of what they do is pretty but Mick McCarthy has the formula down to a tee.
They have added to their steely core with youth, in the shape of Ryan Fraser and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and experience, with the exceptional Jonathan Douglas. This was enough for Wednesday, who struggled to create openings, despite the efforts of Ross Wallace, who looks a great capture.
Try to mark Antonio
Michail Antonio scored Nottingham Forest’s winner on Saturday in a 2-1 victory over Rotherham, who are pointless after two games.
Antonio has been subject to significant interest this summer, with a concrete bid tabled by West Bromwich Albion. After last season, it is not difficult to see why. He is blessed with electric pace, and achieves that rare combination of athleticism and good judgement.
Assuming Forest can hold onto him beyond the transfer deadline, he should continue to produce for them on a weekly basis.
Shaking off the Blues no easy task
Gary Rowett, the most promising young manager at this level, has built an erstwhile Birmingham side from the ground upwards into one that is now terrifically tough to beat. His side have not lost in any competition since April, and this week they ground out a point at Burnley, who only salvaged a draw late on through Matthew Taylor’s wonderful strike.
Rowett, 41, came in last October after an 8-0 loss to Bournemouth and has transformed the club’s ailing fortunes. He has plucked Maikel Kieftenbeld, a pugnacious defensive midfielder, from Holland and Jon Toral is thriving in the number 10 role. Keep an eye on the Blues.
He could have helped it, Steve
There was a controversial incident at Ashton Gate, in which Bristol City midfielder Luke Freeman was sent off for a high boot in the face of Brentford defender Harlee Dean. City manager Steve Cotterill, smarting after his team’s 4-2 loss, claimed that a lack of ‘intent’ should have excused Freeman’s actions.
Unfortunately, this was dangerous play in any book, Steve. Either way, there is no doubt that the incident changed the game, with the Bees profiting from an own goal for Derrick Williams and striking through Phillip Hoffman and the highly coveted Andre Gray.
Rovers return
It has not been the best of starts to the season for Blackburn Rovers. As if being saddled with a transfer embargo was not enough, they lost Rudy Gestede and Tom Cairney, their two standout individuals last term. A first day defeat at Wolves in controversial circumstances, followed by a cup exit at the hands of Shrewsbury, must have left Gary Bowyer consulting his horoscope in desperation.
Then, his team goes 1-0 down at Huddersfield and Jordan Rhodes hobbles off with an injury that could rule him out of the Cardiff game on Tuesday. Rovers dug themselves out, though, through a goal from Nathan Delfouneso, and must look forward.
Promoted Preston pack a punch
Preston preserved their unbeaten start to the season with a win away at MK Dons, who look set for an inconsistent campaign. The Lilywhites kept their second clean sheet in two games following promotion, with their three-man defence, which shut out Middlesbrough last week, resolute once more.
They are not a side that people are talking about for promotion, and they will not set many pulses racing this season. Yet, with Jermaine Beckford fit and Joe Garner firing, they will be awkward customers for anyone at this level.
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