Tales from not-the Top Flight

Yes I’m surprised too. Neil Warnock isn’t invincible, Cardiff City aren’t going to win all 46 games this season, so now we can all breather a sigh of relief. Its not going to be plain sailing for our Neil. They are still unbeaten though as Fulham managed to be the first team to take any points of the Welsh side all season securing a 1-1 draw at home against the league leaders. Cardiff are still top of the table however although they are not the only unbeaten team – more on that later.  Salvisa Jokanovic’s Fulham side definitely plays the best football in the Championship but the grit and determination of a Warnock side is certainly a recipe for success at this season. Just ask Neil Warnock himself. The man has been promoted 837 times, approximately.

The other unbeaten side in the second tier is Leeds United who absolutely spanked poor old Burton Albion 5-0. Leeds have been preforming very well this season and have been tremendously supported. Yes Leeds have dedicated fans, something which their supporters never, ever mention. They definitely do not go on about in a way that makes you infuriated and develop an overwhelming hatred of anything remotely linked to Leeds. They’re taking 11,000 to Millwall on Saturday. Probably. Derby dished out a 5-0 thrashing as well as they put Hull City to the sword.

Aston Villa have started the campaign rather poorly as they couldn’t find a way past winless Brentford in a 0-0 game at Villa Park. Terry’s Chocolate Orange’s have won just one game this season and currently languish in the lower reaches of the table. What might be even worse for the Villa faithful is that they welcome the mighty Boro on Tuesday night. The men in red were clinical against Bolton, who are also winless, easily beating the Trotters 3-0. Speed merchant Adama Traore also looks like he might have learned to cross too as he provided two assists. Given Villa’s defence of John Terry and Chris Samba have a combined age if your gran I wouldn’t be too confident if I supported Villa. Someone who might be even less confidence is manager Steve Bruce, whose job is surely on the line.

Elsewhere Sunderland reminded us of the side we were used too seeing in the Premier League by surrendering meekly to Sheffield United at home while after four straight wins Ipswich have now lost back to back games. There’s a midweek games in the Championship too with the aforementioned Villa v Boro the stand out. See it as the thinking man’s Champions League.