Surprise packages in the Championship

While AFC Bournemouth have got away to a reasonable start this season there are one or two other clubs that have made an even better start that may be considered as surprise packages. Having dabbled with the relegation spots for a while last season I have been especially impressed by the form of Millwall and Charlton Athletic, two London clubs that have not had massive resources but are holding down top six places after just the first five games.

Of course, Ian Holloway was showing signs that he had turned around the Lions' form at the end of last season and when AFCB went their on the last day, with the outside threat of Millwall going down, Holloway's men found a way to get the win they wanted and were good value for the points on the day. AFCB did not fare any better when they went away to Charlton for an evening game last season, also coming away with a 1-0 defeat. But things have changed significantly at Charlton with the new manager Bob Peeters and his in form striker Igor Vetokele is right up the top of the goal chart with Lewis Grabban on 5 goals.

The other surprise package for me is Brentford. For while I expected them to be a strong outfit they have quickly settled in the Championship and showed against AFCB that they have some quality players. Whether these teams can keep going strongly though is the big test for them and AFCB must also now look to build on its away draw at Norwich with some home wins if they are to keep in the mix with these London teams. 

I would also expect another London club to gradually improve. Fulham have too much about them to be sitting near the bottom of the league for long. It's early days as they say and things can and will change very quickly if teams can string three or four wins together, but the Championship is already an exciting league to watch.

Michael Dunne has released his All Departments' podcast - Dickie Dowsett: Icon and you can listen on the All Departments' website or scroll down Cherry Chimes' right hand panel to the sound bar and listen in.

Good luck to the Development Squad today who take on Luton away in their first league game. UTCIAD!