Gabriel Sutton's EFL Tips

Leeds probably deserve to have more than 11 points to their name from their first six games, but they do have plenty of time to close the respective five- and four-point gaps on top two occupants West Brom and Sunderland.

The Whites have been dominant in all their Elland Road encounters so far this season, and with the quality of Manor Soloman, Brendan Aaronson and Willy Gnonto supporting a selfless runner in Mateo Joseph up top, they should establish their superiority over Coventry.

The Sky Blues have endured an undercooked start with five points from their first six, with their sole league victory coming as a result of a late error by newly promoted Oxford on week two.

Performance wise, Mark Robins’ side aren’t too far away but they’ve suffered from individual mistakes and poor finishing, neither of which they can afford in West Yorkshire.

Notts County suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend, with Stuart Maynard’s side losing 1-0, but it’s been an otherwise outstanding start from the Magpies.

Scoring 14 goals in their first seven, Notts County have retained the attacking impetus they enjoyed last season, with Dan Crowley and Jodi Jones maintaining their inspired form, David McGoldrick producing the levels expected of him when he first signed last summer, and Alassana Jatta stepping up to Macaulay Langstaff’s mantle.

Equally, they’ve solidified defensively with a better goalkeeper in Alex Bass, better defenders like Matty Platt and Jacob Bedeau, more defensively attuned wingbacks, and better midfield balance – it’s been a real fine-tuning job from Maynard this summer.

Notts County possess a level of quality that Morecambe could only dream of. The Shrimps showed spirit in buckets in the second half at Fleetwood on Monday to earn an unlikely point, but the first half showing emphasised how far they are off the better teams in this league.

Only forwards Josh Maja and Duncan Watmore have scored more goals so far this season than Sheffield United midfielder Gustavo Hamer, who has brought real quality to Chris Wilder’s side.

Whether it’s a potent set piece threat, powerful runs in transition, or pinpoint strikes from outside the area, Hamer always has his eye for the spectacular and should be among the top goalscoring midfielders in the division.

The Brazil-born Dutchman will be crucial to the Blades’ chances of both promotion, and three points at Portsmouth, who have begun their Championship return winless in six – although the fixture list hasn’t been kind to them in these first two months.

The visitors, on the other hand, have accrued 14 points from their first six games, although they only have 12 points to show for it due to the deduction before the start of the campaign.

After promotion from League Two last season, Mansfield are hoping to take inspiration from Northampton, who managed a safe, midtable finish in their first season up last year.

Now, the Cobblers are intending to avoid second season syndrome, but there were no such symptoms on display at Huddersfield, where Jon Brady’s side won 3-1 thanks to a man-of-the-match performance from Tariq Fosu, who looks an inspired recruit.

Mansfield, meanwhile, are flying high in eighth following back-to-back league wins over Cambridge and Shrewsbury, as midfielder Keanu Baccus and poacher Lee Gregory enjoy excellent starts after joining up at Field Mill.

Both teams have scored in all six of Mansfield’s league games to date, and four of Northampton’s – so a repeat at Sixfields looks likely.

A summer to recruit and impart his methodology in a more extended format has done wonders for David Artell, who’s Grimsby side are making serious stylistic progress this season: other than the 4-1 loss at Notts County, they’ve looked bright and inventive in all their games.

August’s 2-1 victory over Bradford was as good a footballing display as has been seen at Blundell Park for many a year, and even the defeat at Chesterfield, they called the shots against one of the best teams in the league.

So, the Mariners are on the right track and look good for a top half finish this season, as the likes of Cameron McJannet and Jason Dadi Svanthorsson show the value of thinking outside the box with recruitment.

Carlisle, however, have a new head coach in Mike Williamson who’s just walked through the door and may need patience to execute his own stylistic transition, even with a squad rich in quality.