Sam Parkin reviews early-season EFL storylines after opening three rounds
On 29 August 2026, BBC Final Score pundit Sam Parkin offered his takeaways from across the EFL after most clubs completed their opening three matches of the new season. His assessment covered early surprises and concerns at clubs including Charlton, Swansea, Burnley, Sheffield Wednesday and Salford City.
Charlton, managed by Nathan Jones, have followed last season's 19th-place Championship finish after promotion from League One with three successive wins — over Derby, West Ham and Preston — prompting questions about whether they can build on survival. Parkin cautioned against overreaction: "I'm sure if you offered Nathan Jones and the most ardent of supporters a mid-table finish now, they'd snap your hand off for it. So, I don't think anyone will be getting carried away." He added that the club look more attack-minded this season after recruiting experienced players such as Karlan Grant and Nathaniel Chalobah to The Valley.
Swansea's 3-0 victory at Derby left them on seven points from three games after three successive mid-table finishes in the Championship, and Parkin noted the club's summer recruitment, citing new signings Stephen Welsh and Ghana winger Joseph Opoku. He said: "Despite the manager (Victor Matos) being there last year, I think they were probably a little bit unknown coming into the season." Parkin also warned about consistency but acknowledged the expanded play-off format: "I think they've had a terrific start, but I'm not sure they'll have the consistency to be challenging the higher echelons of the division, but now that the play-offs are extended to six teams, they could look to maybe make one of those positions." He added that Derby's injuries and takeover frustrations made it a difficult opponent.
Burnley, who replaced Scott Parker with Nicky Hayen over the summer, remain without a league win early in the campaign. On that subject Parkin said: "It's the case with all the relegated sides that you have to give them a little bit of time to acclimatize. I think that's natural." He expressed faith in the individuals available and the club's ability to add in transfer windows: "But my sentiment with them is that they've got brilliant individuals, whoever sticks around, and I'm sure they'll be able to add as well in both the windows." Parkin highlighted concerns over goalscoring: "Probably in contrast to West Ham and Wolves who I think have both got real goal power, I'm not sure I'm seeing the same kind of power in that area of the pitch for Burnley." He concluded by defending their Norwich defeat: "But as hard as it'll be for supporters to hear, I don't think it's any shame losing at Norwich, because Norwich are going to be right up there in my opinion this season."
Sheffield Wednesday recorded a 7-2 home win over Bromley in front of 30,000 fans at Hillsborough after new ownership took over the club following a prolonged process. Parkin reflected on the supporters' return and the club's profile: "Despite the pain of the past few years and the fans' uncertainty, they've got their club to go and support again, and albeit it's in the third tier, the attendances will be huge." He said the early goals against Bromley would have helped confidence and pointed to the appeal of the club's size for young players: "They've got some really exciting young players and, despite them being in League One, with the size of that club, people want to go and play for you."
Salford City, who finished eighth in 2024-25 and lost the 2025-26 League Two play-off final before sacking Karl Robinson, have started the season poorly under Peter Cklamovski, losing their opening three league matches. Parkin highlighted summer signings and the resulting expectations: "If you were a fan, you'd have been really enthused again in the transfer window. Two names that jump out at me - Luke Molyneux, probably the best attacking player at Doncaster for a number of seasons, and striker Macaulay Langstaff from Millwall." He added: "He didn't have a great time at Millwall in terms of goals, but he's probably better than League Two." Parkin said ownership would be surprised by the start: "It's early days, but the ownership will be scratching their heads a little bit, because the budget will be very competitive again and beaten play-off finalists last year, you'd expect them to be around it. So, really surprised." He closed by noting the heightened pressure that comes with the Salford role: "It'll get better for them, I'm sure, but when you take the Salford job, you're always under probably a bit more pressure than some of the jobs in League Two because of the resources and the magnitude of some of the names that are involved."
Sam Parkin was speaking to BBC Sport England's Tim Durrans.
