Championship Week 1 Wrap

The 2013-14 Championship season is one-week old already.

Wigan Athletic and Doncaster Rovers are the only teams to have not featured in two games, with the former side's Community Shield visit to Wembley holding proceedings up.

For most, a packed schedule is well and truly underway.

Which teams have grasped an early initiative? What clubs should be worried for their survival?

Let's take a look at a selection of interesting points raised after the league's returning week.

Watford, Blackpool and Nottingham Forest Set Early Pace

Gianfranco Zola narrowly missed out on Premier League promotion last season, so it's no surprise to see his Watford side setting the early pace in this year's division.

As reported by Chris Osborne of BBC Sport, the Italian believes his team is better prepared this time around. An opening day 1-0 away win against Birmingham underlined a Hornets squad that is prepared to fight and battle for every point. Troy Deeney's goal capped off a determined performance that saw the London club leave St. Andrews with a well-earned win.

Deeney's form got even sharper heading into Watford's second match.

Vicarage Road witnessed an excellent hat-trick from the 25-year-old in a 6-1 demolition of Bournemouth. While Lewis Grabban added his third in two matches, a brace from Gabriele Angella and strike from Lewis McGugan saw Zola's men rack up maximum points and an impressive goal difference.

Similarly, Blackpool have maintained pace with Watford at the top.

Paul Ince will be happy with his team's ability to squeeze out results and should be buoyed by the Seasiders' two late goals at Doncaster on opening day. The 3-1 win was nicked with successes from Gary MacKenzie and Tom Ince, while Blackpool left it even later to secure victory in their second match.

Barnsley defender Scott Wiseman will have trouble sleeping right now. His 95th minute own goal provided Blackpool with a 1-0 win at Bloomfield Road, ensuring Ince's men head straight to the Championship summit with six points. Not quite as convincing as Watford's free-scoring form, but at this stage, a win is all that matters.

Nottingham Forest are the only other club with six points even though Wigan have three from one game less. Henri Lansbury's winner in a close-fought game against Huddersfield ensured that those at The City Ground left fulfilled on opening day, while a 92nd minute winner from Darius Henderson saw Billy Davies' boys maintain a winning start.

Competitiveness of Chasing Pack Already Shaping Up

Ten points separated fourth and ninth last season. The battle for playoff places is always extremely tense, and this year's Championship is setting up no differently.

Eleven teams remain unbeaten heading into the third round of fixtures. Burnley have done well to accumulate four points from matches against Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday, suggesting Sean Dyche's squad are ready to compete for a place at the top.

Leicester City's 0-0 draw with Leeds sees both sides sit inside the top 10. Although we're in the season's infancy, this result highlights how a plethora of teams will be aiming to challenge for promotion. The Championship is full of talent, experience and competitiveness from top to bottom, indicating the chasing pack have huge amounts of work to do in order to secure a lofty position.

Relegated Sides Settling Quickly into Championship Life

Wigan Athletic, Reading and Queens Park Rangers remain unbeaten right now. The recently relegated Premier League clubs will have been nervous about the task ahead, but a strong start from each suggests the top flight might call again sometime soon.

QPR were able to overcome an early Atdhe Nuhiu goal for Sheffield Wednesday in their first match. Nedum Onuoha and Andy Johnson provided the winning touch that day, giving Harry Redknapp and his wily gang a much needed win. While the 1-1 draw with Huddersfield will have disappointed 'Arry, Junior Hoilett's goal ensures the Loftus Road club are yet to experience defeat.

Reading's settling period has been hugely similar to that of QPR. An equaliser from Adam Le Fondre and a spectacular Danny Guthrie winner saw the Royals overcome an opener from old boy Jay Tabb in their opening match against Ipswich Town. The 2-1 victory proved a confidence booster for their next match against Bolton, which finished 1-1.

Wigan Athletic have played just one Championship game this season due to the Community Shield clash with Manchester United. Although Owen Coyle's men lost 2-0 to the Premier League champions at Wembley, his side's opening league game finished with a thumping 4-0 away win at Barnsley. Goals from Ben Watson, Grant Holt, Leon Barnett and Shaun Maloney highlighted a team that still possesses plenty of top-flight quality.

The relegated sides have played five games between them, securing three wins and two draws.

Long Season Ahead for Promoted Teams

While two of the three promoted sides have already notched up wins, there's signs this could be a long season for the former League 1 teams.

Bournemouth's narrow win over Charlton Athletic shouldn't get many people excited. The Addicks were inconsistent last term and have started this year's campaign with one win and one defeat. Despite the continued goalscoring threat of Lewis Grabban, Bournemouth fans may be worried by the team's 6-1 away loss against Watford.

Edward Upson's last-minute winner against Millwall entered Yeovil into the league with a bang. Unfortunately, momentum was quickly halted with a 1-0 loss against Birmingham. Danny Seaborne's own goal hushed a Huish Park crowd that should have been impressed with Yeovil's performance across the opening 45 minutes.

Doncaster have played just one game so far. A home tie against Blackpool was certainly a difficult way for those at the Keepmoat Stadium to usher in a new season, especially as Paul Dickov's side fought hard to no avail. Despite their best efforts, one has to ask whether Doncaster will have enough firepower and strength in depth to continuously compete at this level.

As ever, the Championship is quickly providing a steep learning curve for the recently promoted teams.

Which teams have impressed you during the Championship's opening week? Which teams should be worried about relegation? Let me know in the comments section below and be sure to chat with me on Twitter:

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