EFL Championship: How things stand at the October international break

EFL Championship: How things stand at the October international break

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The international break gives us the perfect opportunity to jump back in and take a look at how the season is progressing in the Championship. Nine games in, broadcaster Sanny Rudravajhala checks in with Coventry, Sheffield United and Preston fans who have lots to talk about but for very different reasons.

By Sanny Rudravajhala

I’m not the biggest romcom fan but who knew that 1998’s ‘Sliding Doors’ starring Gweneth Paltrow would have such an impact on the English language? How else could you succinctly describe the concept of fate going in two different directions, all upon one chance event? For Paltrow, it was the consequence of either making or missing a train. And in the Championship, the ripple effects from last season are still being felt.

Let’s flash back to 24 May, the playoff final and what happens if Sheffield United’s Kieffer Moore doesn’t try a first-time lay off that ended up setting up Sunderland’s Tommy Watson for a 96th minute winner? At 1-1, the Blades could have still found a Wembley winner. Right now, Moore could be their top flight front man rather than the latest big name at Wrexham. For Sheffield United, their fortunes couldn’t be starker.

That failure saw Chris Wilder leave and replaced as Blades boss by Rubén Sellés. Six games and six defeats later Wilder was back for a third spell but in the three weeks since, they remain at the foot of the table.

“It was right to part ways with Sellés. The new owners’ experiment had failed, drastically shown by the 5-0 loss to Ipswich, which proved to be the final straw.” David Taylor from The Pinch fanzine and podcast tells me. 

“The players look like shadows of the ones who were a few kicks away from the Premier League and our new signings haven’t shown why they might be an improvement on, or even worthy replacements for, those that left too. Wilder has tried to re-install his version of Sheffield United, but it hasn’t worked out yet. We’re not conceding goals by the tonne, but at the same time, we don’t look like a team that can control a match.”

Saturday’s defeat to Hull City, in which Harrison Burrows had a late penalty saved, only accentuated Sheffield United’s problems. When I was in the city battling wind and rain to break Wilder’s return live on TV, every fan that I spoke to was almost jubilant. There was an expectation that he would hit the ground running but looking at the data, goalkeeper Michael Cooper is a good illustration of their issues.

Cooper and James Trafford were the outstanding shot stoppers in the division last season. Cooper prevented 4 more goals than he was expected to concede but this season, from an xG of goals on target of 12, he’s conceded 16. 

Michael Cooper’s save map, Championship 2025/26

Gus Hamer continues to show flashes of his old self – what if his effort which crashed off the post against Hull had gone in? A combination of errors and misfortune have hurt them dearly. For Blades fans, it’s already feeling like a Sliding Doors season.

Continuity key for Lampard’s Coventry

I hope you can feel my smugness through your screen when I tell you that I called this! Coventry are unbeaten, free-scoring and top the table. Continuity has been key and in a samey division, having a quality, well-drilled core has given them the edge.

“To this day, we’ve only lost to [promoted] Leeds and Burnley at home under Frank Lampard”, says Tom Ward of the Sky Blues Extra Podcast. 

“We’re carrying on from last season, but players have raised their levels. Brandon Thomas-Asante and Jay Dasilva, for example, had spells where they weren’t great, but now they’re two of the first names on the teamsheet. Collectively and individually, we’ve come out firing on all cylinders.”

Coventry are overwhelming in attack. They’ve scored 20 already and the seven against QPR in August have been followed up more recently with four put past Millwall and another five beyond a beleaguered and multiple-embargoed Sheffield Wednesday. There’s an endless stream of players arriving in the box at just the right time, none more so than Haji Wright. He’s put long-term injury behind him to become a fox in the box for all eight of his goals so far.

Coventry have two of the top three scorers in the division

“It’s great to have him back and firing”, says Tom who explains that Lampard has shifted Wright from the left flank to become a number nine. 

“I think he’s done a lot with him mentally as well. He has loads of talent, but he did go missing a bit last season. In the playoff semi-final at Sunderland, he just wasn’t really in the game and probably cost us it a little bit. But it feels like we’re seeing the rewards of Lampard’s work with him now.”

Sliding Doors reflections on that Stadium of Light night are being banished.

Preston no small fry

Time to swap smugness for humble pie, or better still, a gourmet jacket potato. Yes, I said Preston would go down. They survived. And, having been at their summer sponsorship extravaganza, the feelgood factor and new faces have kicked them on. PNE are perched in fourth.

“The SpudBros have helped with the vibes around Deepdale because they’re just two local lads giving us some positivity.” Kimberley Ramshead, season ticket holder and PNE Her Game Too Ambassador tells me. 

Lewis Dobbin has impressed on loan from Aston Villa. He scored a cracker in their 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough and was alive to get the ball to Thierry Small, who was manic in celebrating scoring against his old Charlton side. There’s definitely desire in the new boys.

“On the pitch I think getting rid of those who didn’t look interested in playing helped and Paul Heckingbottom had a full summer to get things sorted. Daniel Iversen back in goal has given confidence to the defence and some of his saves this season have been outstanding. We’d be lost without him.” concludes Kimberley.

David Iversen’s save map, Championship 2025/26

I was at Leicester’s draw with Wrexham last week and the home boos at the whistle were certainly justified. Wrexham’s Lewis O’Brien showed all the desire that Leicester were lacking in setting up Nathan Broadhead’s equaliser and I saw enough from the visitors to think they’ll be okay this season. 

Middlesbrough’s bright beginning under Rob Edwards is slowing and the stats on their starting XI show that their attacking players need to raise their levels. At the other end of the table, I’m worried for Liam Manning at Norwich. Investment in the squad hasn’t paid dividends. They’re still overly reliant on Josh Sargent and crumpling to rivals Ipswich Town has only added more weight to the visit of Manning’s old club, Bristol City, next time out.

Even though it’s 27 years old, I won’t spoil the end of Sliding Doors for you. There is a twist, though, and I think we will still see that in the Championship. Even the worst performing teams can come good. If the game is made up of little moments, then there’s still plenty of time before the doors slide shut.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the EFL on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

EFL Championship: How things stand at the October international break

The international break gives us the perfect opportunity to jump back in and take a look at how the season is progressing in the Championship. Nine games in, broadcaster Sanny Rudravajhala checks in with Coventry, Sheffield United and Preston fans who have lots to talk about but for very different reasons.

By Sanny Rudravajhala

I’m not the biggest romcom fan but who knew that 1998’s ‘Sliding Doors’ starring Gweneth Paltrow would have such an impact on the English language? How else could you succinctly describe the concept of fate going in two different directions, all upon one chance event? For Paltrow, it was the consequence of either making or missing a train. And in the Championship, the ripple effects from last season are still being felt.

Let’s flash back to 24 May, the playoff final and what happens if Sheffield United’s Kieffer Moore doesn’t try a first-time lay off that ended up setting up Sunderland’s Tommy Watson for a 96th minute winner? At 1-1, the Blades could have still found a Wembley winner. Right now, Moore could be their top flight front man rather than the latest big name at Wrexham. For Sheffield United, their fortunes couldn’t be starker.

That failure saw Chris Wilder leave and replaced as Blades boss by Rubén Sellés. Six games and six defeats later Wilder was back for a third spell but in the three weeks since, they remain at the foot of the table.

“It was right to part ways with Sellés. The new owners’ experiment had failed, drastically shown by the 5-0 loss to Ipswich, which proved to be the final straw.” David Taylor from The Pinch fanzine and podcast tells me. 

“The players look like shadows of the ones who were a few kicks away from the Premier League and our new signings haven’t shown why they might be an improvement on, or even worthy replacements for, those that left too. Wilder has tried to re-install his version of Sheffield United, but it hasn’t worked out yet. We’re not conceding goals by the tonne, but at the same time, we don’t look like a team that can control a match.”

Saturday’s defeat to Hull City, in which Harrison Burrows had a late penalty saved, only accentuated Sheffield United’s problems. When I was in the city battling wind and rain to break Wilder’s return live on TV, every fan that I spoke to was almost jubilant. There was an expectation that he would hit the ground running but looking at the data, goalkeeper Michael Cooper is a good illustration of their issues.

Cooper and James Trafford were the outstanding shot stoppers in the division last season. Cooper prevented 4 more goals than he was expected to concede but this season, from an xG of goals on target of 12, he’s conceded 16. 

Michael Cooper’s save map, Championship 2025/26

Gus Hamer continues to show flashes of his old self – what if his effort which crashed off the post against Hull had gone in? A combination of errors and misfortune have hurt them dearly. For Blades fans, it’s already feeling like a Sliding Doors season.

Continuity key for Lampard’s Coventry

I hope you can feel my smugness through your screen when I tell you that I called this! Coventry are unbeaten, free-scoring and top the table. Continuity has been key and in a samey division, having a quality, well-drilled core has given them the edge.

“To this day, we’ve only lost to [promoted] Leeds and Burnley at home under Frank Lampard”, says Tom Ward of the Sky Blues Extra Podcast. 

“We’re carrying on from last season, but players have raised their levels. Brandon Thomas-Asante and Jay Dasilva, for example, had spells where they weren’t great, but now they’re two of the first names on the teamsheet. Collectively and individually, we’ve come out firing on all cylinders.”

Coventry are overwhelming in attack. They’ve scored 20 already and the seven against QPR in August have been followed up more recently with four put past Millwall and another five beyond a beleaguered and multiple-embargoed Sheffield Wednesday. There’s an endless stream of players arriving in the box at just the right time, none more so than Haji Wright. He’s put long-term injury behind him to become a fox in the box for all eight of his goals so far.

Coventry have two of the top three scorers in the division

“It’s great to have him back and firing”, says Tom who explains that Lampard has shifted Wright from the left flank to become a number nine. 

“I think he’s done a lot with him mentally as well. He has loads of talent, but he did go missing a bit last season. In the playoff semi-final at Sunderland, he just wasn’t really in the game and probably cost us it a little bit. But it feels like we’re seeing the rewards of Lampard’s work with him now.”

Sliding Doors reflections on that Stadium of Light night are being banished.

Preston no small fry

Time to swap smugness for humble pie, or better still, a gourmet jacket potato. Yes, I said Preston would go down. They survived. And, having been at their summer sponsorship extravaganza, the feelgood factor and new faces have kicked them on. PNE are perched in fourth.

“The SpudBros have helped with the vibes around Deepdale because they’re just two local lads giving us some positivity.” Kimberley Ramshead, season ticket holder and PNE Her Game Too Ambassador tells me. 

Lewis Dobbin has impressed on loan from Aston Villa. He scored a cracker in their 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough and was alive to get the ball to Thierry Small, who was manic in celebrating scoring against his old Charlton side. There’s definitely desire in the new boys.

“On the pitch I think getting rid of those who didn’t look interested in playing helped and Paul Heckingbottom had a full summer to get things sorted. Daniel Iversen back in goal has given confidence to the defence and some of his saves this season have been outstanding. We’d be lost without him.” concludes Kimberley.

David Iversen’s save map, Championship 2025/26

I was at Leicester’s draw with Wrexham last week and the home boos at the whistle were certainly justified. Wrexham’s Lewis O’Brien showed all the desire that Leicester were lacking in setting up Nathan Broadhead’s equaliser and I saw enough from the visitors to think they’ll be okay this season. 

Middlesbrough’s bright beginning under Rob Edwards is slowing and the stats on their starting XI show that their attacking players need to raise their levels. At the other end of the table, I’m worried for Liam Manning at Norwich. Investment in the squad hasn’t paid dividends. They’re still overly reliant on Josh Sargent and crumpling to rivals Ipswich Town has only added more weight to the visit of Manning’s old club, Bristol City, next time out.

Even though it’s 27 years old, I won’t spoil the end of Sliding Doors for you. There is a twist, though, and I think we will still see that in the Championship. Even the worst performing teams can come good. If the game is made up of little moments, then there’s still plenty of time before the doors slide shut.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the EFL on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.