Championship Round Up: Game Week One

What does the opening day tell you? Well if you go by what happened last season then nothing at all otherwise we would have won the league. It of course tells you who will hit the ground running, last season Blackpool topped after six games, but that doesn't mean they will go onto finish well.

From game week one the stand out result has to be the 4-0 win for Bournemouth and Eddie Howe's men. Last season I tipped them to sneak into the play-offs and they just missed out. Following the loss off star striker Lewis Grabban this summer you may have felt they would struggle this term, well after a very impressive performance they could be in the mix this season again.

Fair enough the faced off against a very below par Huddersfield, who only hours following parted company with manager Mark Robins, but you can only beat what is put in front of you. That is just what the Cherries did.

It was also a good weekend, for Watford, Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest, Millwall, Sheffield Wednesday, Derby, Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers; as they all made winning starts to their season. All eight of those teams will be looking for top half finish and better this season, and on their opening day performances they showed that they could just do that.

One of the league favorites Nottingham Forrest showing off their strengthen depth with new manager Stewart Pearce at the helm. With a settled side and management this coming season, Nottingham will be the team to what you will and have spent big to get that promotion they so desperately want.

So what of the newly promoted sides.

Well as you see above Wolves got back off to a flyer in the Championship as they ran out 1-0 winners against Norwich, a result which will give them massive confidence. Brentford could only manage a draw against London rivals Charlton Athletic, comparing that to Rotherham's slim 1-0 defeat. to Derby County.

County manager Steve McClaren said he was very impressed with the Millers side and praised Steve Evans and his side saying he would expect them to stay up this term if they continue to play like that. Which will be a worry for last season's struggling teams, who will have a nervous season ahead of them. Both Blackpool and Birmingham looked like sides stuck in transition and that could cost them this season.

The guys that came down?

Well they all struggled, as is the trend. It can be a big shock for the ball playing Premier League players to come and compete in the rough and tumble of the Championship. Cardiff City kick started the weekend with the Friday night match and were held to a draw by Gray Bowyers Blackburn side, a very indifferent game.

Whilst Fulham took the Monday night spot and were out shone by Mick McCarthy's battle hardened Ipswich Town, showing that buying an £11 million Championship striker doesn't solve your problems.

The final game of the weekend saw Norwich City lose 1-0 to Wolves, in a game that was very even until Matin Olsson got himself sent off. The defender booked twice and taking the canaries down to ten men, Wolves taking advantage to beat the former Premier League side.

One game in and I am already feeling the buzz, question is how will we all be feeling come May?