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Wolves
Report Card: Long suffering fans of Wolves will be the first to admit that they are not going to get carried away about the team's current league position - not yet anyway. Mick McCarthy's golden army made a steady progression last season and almost hit the play-off trail. This season the club have started in the same vein of form and are living up to supporters expectations by topping the table. Wanderers started with a predictably disappointint 2-2 draw with Plymouth before scraping past Accrington Stanley in extra time. The improved to beat Sheffield Wednesday 4-1 at Molynuex before claiming a victory at Ipswich and returning home to smash Forest 5-1.
Plus Points? Wolves look capable of goals from all over the pitch this season and with the continuing improvement of Michael Keightly they have someone to provide the strikers with enough chances to keep that going. Two comprehensive performances at home have demonstated their intention to improve on a couple of seasons of inconsistent form on their patch and winning at Ipswich will have given them tremendous confidence, considering the Tractor Boys record last season.
Where they need to improve? In two of their games Wolves have fallen behind and although they have showed spirit to come back, teams in the Championship are not always so accomdating to comebacks. A defeat in the Carling Cup to Rotherham demonstrated some all too familiar frailties and the first round struggles they had against Accrington Stanley also demonstrated their potential to become complacent. Sitting on top of the table and leading from the front might not be what they need if that is going to be a theme of their season.
Targets..
- Keep their unbeaten run as long as possible.
- Continue to score goals.
- Take the initiative in each game.
Preston
Report Card: Alan Irvine's nomination for Championship manager of the month is a recognition of where Preston looked like they were heading last season compaired with the gusto they have started with this. Last season Preston were average at best but made serious changes in the summer to rectify their problems both defensively and attacking-wise.
This term they look like a very different outfit from the off and their place in second justifies hearty praise. An opening day away victory over Ipswich demonstrated their intent to be far more consistent this year and by defeating Palace they proved that it wasn't just opening day nerves which had stiffled their opponents. North End picked up a creditable draw at Hillsbrough in their next game before returning to an improved Deepdale to beat Charlton 2-1.
Plus Points? A win away from home at Ipswich was the perfect start and backed up by a positive result against Palace, Preston proved they are to be taken seriously. The draw with Wednesday was prehaps good fortune for a hard working performance but they showed they can battle and dig in necessary. Although they may not be as freescoring as Wolves or Birmingham they have proved they can win a game by an odd goal and aren't afraid to do the ugly side of the game when necessary.
Where they need to improve?
Preston's draw with Sheffield Wednesday on reflection was probably undeserved but taking their chance when it counted was justifyable rewarded. Their defeat against Derby in the Carling Cup was a possible lowlight of their early season successes but bouncing back with a win against Charlton seemed to dispel the myth that their good form was over. Both Preston's 2-0 wins have been marked by 91st minute goals which could make their results look flattering and they may need those last minute strikes later on in the campaign.
Targets
- Score more goals
- Sustain their good form
- Continue to improve their away form.
Swansea
Report Card: Having stormed their way to the League One title last season, Swansea have so far proved that they have the ability to bridge the gap in class between the two divisions. The Swans came into the Championship with most people believing that they could compete at this level given the oppertunity and so far Roberto Martinez's men have shown that they could even be an outside bet for the playoffs.
Plus Points?
From their arrival in the Championship, Swansea have been positive and looked to win every game, Roberto Martinez has clearly drilled his team into making light work of their step up in divisions. Despite losing their first game Swansea bounced back to an immediate victory against Nottingham Forest and managed to claim vital points away from home against Plymouth which has put them in a so-far lofty position.
Where they need to improve?
Swansea's strength could also be their downfall as their open and expansive style of play could leave them exposed in defensive areas. The way which the Welsh side have started the season could lead to a cautious approach from other teams visiting the Liberty Stadium and they could face a tough task in breaking them down. If Swansea do have realistic ambitious of making the top ten or even sneaking into the playoffs they will have to avoid throwing points away as they did against Sheffield Wednesday in their next game.
Targets for the next term...
- Continue to be the suprise package of the season.
- Defend better at home.
- Pick up points where they can away from home.
Sheffield United
Report Card: Having just missed out on the playoffs at the end of last season, Sheffield United have made a determined start to this campaign under Kevin Blackwell to get themselves back into the Premiership. The Blades currently sit in fifth place and will be hoping to sustain their form throughout the season instead of making a desperate late run at the top flight.
Plus Points? United's form has been impressive so far, losing only to Birmingham on the opening day of the season. Their 3-0 thrashing of QPR proved that they are legitimate contenders for promotion and in an away victory against Blackpool they showed they have the quality defensively to back up their attacking quality. Progress in the Carling Cup has also been promising where they face a third round tie against Arsenal, and with the Gunners favouring a young side in the League Cup who knows what kind of result United are able to achieve.
Where they need to improve?
Their draw with Birmingham on the first day of the season was certainly not as costly as it might be later on but the confidence boost they would have got from getting a point or better against the favourites for the division would have been a welcome boost. Drawing with Cardiff at home was also a dissapointing result as if United are planning to be in the automatic promotion places or even in the playoffs then they need to claim as many three points as possible against team's they are likely to be competing against.
Targets for the next term...
- Beat the sides they are likely to be viying for promotion with.
- Continue to score plenty of goals.
- Pick up more points away from home.
Doncaster
Report Card: Very much like Swansea, the start which the Yorkshire side have made to the season will have been extremely encouraging. A prehaps surprise victory in the playoff final may have caught many people unaware of the ability which Rovers posess and it certainly has worked in their favour this season as sitting in 10th place at the moment is probably better than they expected.
Plus Points?
Their victory against Derby in the opening game of the season will have delighted their manager and supporters. The way the played at Pride Park, home of one of the promotion favourites demonstrated that they do indeed belong in the Championship and can cut it against the 'better' sides in the division. A point achieved at home to Cardiff was an extremely good result as was a win against Coventry who are also in the top half of the season.
Where they need to improve?
After the win against Derby, Doncaster were unfortunately dumped out of the Carling Cup and then suffered the disappointment of conceeding a late goal against Cardiff at home when it looked as if they were going to make it six points from two games. The following week they were then outclassed by QPR who proved the game between the sides at the top of the division and where Doncaster might be aiming for.
Targets for the next term...
- Make sure they pick points up at home.
- Don't conceed late goals
- Pick up more points away from home.