Sports Mole picks out five of the biggest talking points from another entertaining and drama-filled weekend of action in the Championship.
1. Goalkeeping woes continue for Wolves
Having worked so hard to earn a starting berth at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Carl Ikeme was dropped to the bench for last week's meeting with Hull City. Kenny Jackett instead opted to bring in Arsenal loanee Emiliano Martinez, while also keeping faith with the youngster in the midweek defeat to Queens Park Rangers. That move backfired, however, as Martinez made a number of high-profile gaffes - including for Matt Phillips' winner which left him wrong footed in goal.
Jackett then opted to welcome Ikeme back into the fold for the trip to Cardiff City, but it appeared as though the returning stopper was simply trying too hard to make a point. After rushing out of his goal in attempt to collect a cross Kenwyne Jones was always going to get to first, the Trinidad & Tobago forward had the easiest of finishes into an empty net. Jackett must decide whether to twist for a third time, or even bring in a new goalkeeper altogether before the transfer window closes.
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2. Who needs Charlie Austin?
Okay, so the in-demand forward scored twice in the 4-2 win over Rotherham United - including one from the penalty spot - yet it was the performance of fellow attacker Tjaronn Chery which particularly left supporters feeling excited inside Loftus Road.
Chery had already dazzled with his impressive delivery from wide positions in previous games, but the summer signing from FC Groningen was finally able to get off the mark in terms of goals with two against a struggling Rotherham side. Austin looks unlikely to remain in West London, even if talk of a move away has gone quiet of late, yet some decent displays by Chery and Phillips leave plenty to be cheerful about from the Hoops' perspective.
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3. Kazenga LuaLua hitting all the right notes
Brighton & Hove Albion's results this season appear to have a ring to them: LuaLua scores, Brighton hold out for a narrow 1-0 win. That has happened three times now across these opening five league and cup fixtures, with the winger turning frustrating performances into something a little more consistent on the South Coast.
His latest goal, a deflected strike against Blackburn Rovers to earn a third league win of the season, helps Brighton maintain their impressive start. Only Ipswich Town can match Chris Hughton's men for early-season form, with the two due to meet next weekend ahead of the international break.
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4. First managerial casualty of the season?
That defeat for Blackburn prolonged their weak start to the campaign, leaving them on just two points overall and down in the relegation zone. Reports emerged on Saturday night suggesting that boss Gary Bowyer had been shown the Ewood Park exit, although it should be noted that Rovers quickly shot these rumours down.
It is hard not to feel sorry for Bowyer, a man who has had to contend with star players being sold while also working under a transfer restriction. Some decent free signings and loan players have been brought in during the summer, but a slow start to things has left him under a whole load of pressure. Successive top-10 finishes seemingly count for nothing in this league, with a bad start enough to cost a manager their job.
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5. Draws galore in the second tier
Incredibly, just under half of all 45 Championship fixtures so far this season have ended as stalemates. In total, 22 games have been drawn, ensuring that - just as the unofficial tagline suggests - this really is the most difficult league in the world to predict. We have also witnessed comebacks galore in these opening few weeks, providing entertainment right until that full-time whistle is blown.
Of course, some draws are better than others - see Derby County's thrilling 1-1 tie with Birmingham City on Friday night - and if this opening month is anything to go by then we are in for another season that goes right down to the wire at both ends.
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Daniel Lewis
