Sheffield United: Fan column '“ The Championship is shaping up and we're okay

There are so many sides of similar ability in the Championship that a team winning four in a row, like United did, is more of a surprise.

Nevertheless, even after just seven games the table is beginning to take shape.

A couple of teams aren't doing as well as expected '“ Stoke City, Preston '“ and a few are perhaps doing better than expected '“ Rotherham, Wigan, Aston Villa.

Some '“ me included '“ might include United in this category too.

It's good to see Brentford doing well. The most unfashionable club in West London, year on year they play good football despite numerous squad changes and the fact that they only get small crowds.

Dean Smith is one of the best English managers around. They must also be many people's favourite second club in this division, and the fact that they play in red and white stripes helps.

I like Lee Johnson too. He managed to turn Barnsley round after almost being sacked, then took Bristol City away from the drop zone in his first few months there.

Last season they played some great football but, like United, fell away. This season they will probably be challenging again, and this after losing Bobby Reid and Aden Flint.

So, which teams are going to dramatically move positions in the next few weeks?

I can see Bolton Wanderers dropping like a stone, and maybe Rotherham too when their home wins start drying up. Of those at the wrong end, Stoke have too many good players to be down there for long, and Millwall's fortunes will change because they too have an excellent manager.

And what about our friends on the dark side of the city? They'll finish roughly where they are now, between ninth and 11th.

At least that's better than last season.