EFL Weekend Preview: Early Pressure on Managers at Stoke, West Ham & More

Stoke City and West Ham United face early managerial pressure as the English Football League season enters its fourth week, with several clubs struggling to match preseason expectations.

Stoke, relegated from the Premier League in 2018, have made nine consecutive seasons in the Championship their longest spell outside the top flight since the 1960s. Despite recent investment in players such as George Hirst and Ben Johnson, back-to-back defeats to Swansea and Southampton have left supporters restless. Manager Mark Robins, in his second spell at the club, faces a challenging trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Norwich City, tipped for promotion following a strong finish under Philippe Clement last season, have also stumbled in the early weeks. Defeats to West Bromwich Albion and Millwall have left them pointless after two games. Burnley, newly relegated from the Premier League, have made an equally poor start under Nicky Haden, with losses to West Brom and Bradford City in the EFL Cup.

West Ham United, enduring a turbulent summer with ownership uncertainty and on-field difficulties, have seen their Championship campaign begin with a home loss to Charlton Athletic. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo signed midfielder Arne Engels for a reported Championship record fee, with the player’s immediate availability expected to ease transition issues. A trip to Watford on Saturday presents another stern test, as the Hornets impressed in their opening weekend win over Southampton.

In League One, Plymouth Argyle’s promising late surge last season has not translated into early success this term. Defeats to Stockport County and Wycombe Wanderers have left them in the bottom half. They host a Bradford City side that has started strongly, unbeaten in three matches and conceding no goals.

League Two’s high-spending sides are also struggling. Salford City, who have invested heavily under owners from the Class of ’92, have lost their first two league games under new manager Peter Cklamovski. A match against Shrewsbury Town offers an opportunity to steady their campaign.

Gillingham, another ambitious League Two club, have signed 12 new players this summer but suffered a heavy opening defeat to Walsall. Manager Gareth Ainsworth insists a new era has begun, but results have yet to follow. They face Northampton Town on Saturday.

BBC Sport will provide live coverage of EFL fixtures, including Wrexham’s Friday night match against Birmingham City. The weekend promises intense early scrutiny of managerial performance and squad cohesion across the lower divisions.