What We Have Learned from the Early Days of the New EFL Championship Season
With just two points from four games, it’s clear there is work to do for Wayne Rooney and his Plymouth Argyle. It is, of course, early days, but there is a growing sense that this is going to be a tough season ahead.
The Championship is notoriously tough. That applies to teams trying to build themselves from the group up, like the Pilgrims, or fallen giants trying to re-establish credentials after dropping down from the Premier League.
But while we are only a handful of games into the season, we can make some judgements by looking at statistics and broader narratives that have characterised the early part of the season. Let’s dive in, beginning with some hope for Plymouth
Plymouth Have Been Slightly Better than the Table Suggests
If the Championship season were to end today, Plymouth would be preparing for life in League One next term. Yet, Rooney’s men have been somewhat unlucky. If we look at xG tables, they would be a few places higher, just about safe. xG is a statistical metric where a team’s expected goals scored and conceded are measured. They are an important statistical tool for punters placing football bet builder wagers, allowing them to see whether a team’s performance matches their points. Plymouth have been somewhat undershooting their metric, so, with a bit of luck, they can improve their real points tally.
The Overall Number of Goals Has Ticked Up
Again, it’s early days, so we will have to see how it finishes up at the end of the season, but the number of goals per game in the Championship has risen from 2.68 to 2.71, with 31% of matches seeing four or more goals. If you have been to a drab 0-0 lower league game, it might sometimes feel like the entertainment is in short supply, yet the number of goals has been trending upwards in recent seasons.
Sunderland Show Phoenix from the Flames Mentality
Not many pundits had Sunderland down as the team that would be the early pacesetters in the Championship. But the unbeaten Mackems have been close to perfect, and it looks like no fluke with each passing game. They haven’t spent huge sums, either, relying on smart acquisitions, the club’s youth policy and a strong coaching setup. Other teams should take note.
Plenty of International Stars on Show
The Championship has long been considered a cosmopolitan division, but the number of full-blooded internationals has been increasing in recent years. They range from older veterans to up-and-coming stars. The likes of Marcelino Nunez (Norwich and Chile), Giorgi Chakvetadze ( Georgia and Watford)) and Haji Wright (Coventry and USA) are increasingly important to club and country. There will be no respite for many of them as the club season gets interrupted for the International Breaks in September, October and November.
The Championship Remains Unpredictable
One of the feathers in the Championship’s cap is the large attendances, often surpassing that of top European leagues like La Liga and the Ligue 1. Part of the attraction is that anything can happen. And it’s looking like the pattern continues into the new season. Well-fancied teams like Luton have been cast adrift; Leeds and Burnley have both suffered shock results not to their liking. For Plymouth fans worried about their position, it’s worth remembering that any team can beat any other team in this division. It’s part of the fabric of the Championship.
