Indeed, the race for promotion and the dog-fight to avoid relegation remains as wide open as what Jodie Marsh is when placed in front of anything with testicles.
Some might say Sheffield United look like they could run away with it, but I’d disagree. How often does the team who makes it to the top by October manage to stay there until the end of the season?
There is no doubt they are a strong candidates for promotion. Steve Kabba’s pace and skill has taunted defences this month whilst winger Paul Ifill has been fantastic down the right – particularly at Bramall Lane where the Blades still have their 100% record in tact. Eight straight league wins plus two Carling Cup victories makes it an almost impeccable start for Neil Warnock and his ‘red and white wizards’ (oh dear), but can they sustain their form against the likes of Leeds and Wolves this month?
If not, will it be Reading who are eventually crowned champions of the Championship? They recorded a fine 2-1 win at home to the leaders at the weekend - albeit with United being denied what looked like a blatant penalty in the second-half – and they have recorded four consecutive clean-sheets on their way to winning five and drawing two of their seven matches. Defender Ibrahima Sonko in particular has been as solid as a rock in recent weeks.
But without being too harsh or disrespectful, can you really see Reading as being crowned champions? Nah – it's just not going to happen. They’re good at the 100m sprint, but often fall short in what is a long 46-game marathon. The play-offs anyhow should be a dead cert for them.
And so what about Leeds, Southampton, Palace, Norwich, Wolves and… yeah okay, let’s include Ipswich. Leeds haven’t picked up the points they’ve deserved to (how on earth did we beat them 2-0??) and look too inconsistent to be considered for the two automatic promotion spots. Southampton are the new Wolves having now recorded eight consecutive draws (also working out as two wins, two draws and four defeats). Palace are the sort of team who are likely to come into the race late on, whilst Norwich will be Norwich and will just remain unpredictable.
As for Ipswich, I agree with BFJ – it's been an outstanding start considering the injuries and suspensions we've had. That said, there is no excuse for the first-half display at home to Crewe, and after that I think recent criticism of Mr Parkin is more than slightly justified. Credit where it's due though – bravo against Leeds Samuel.
Looking down at the bottom end of the league, it looks like it could go as equally close as last season when Crewe miraculously managed to stay up on goal-difference. This season Dario Gradi's men look doomed however. Without a win in eleven games and the worst defensive record in the league, the Railway men are in danger of being cut off at the bottom – although they have had a tough month playing the likes of Reading, Wolves, Derby and Watford in September.
Millwall have finally managed to get a stern grip on the league and are now unbeaten in five having recorded back-to-back wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves.
Burnley too have recovered from a poor start. A 3-0 win at Turf Moor against Ipswich was a shock all round, as was their impressive away win at the Molineux against Wolves where they did well to survive a second-half onslaught by Glenn Hoddle's men.
This home defeat for Wolves came a shock to the former England coach, but he will be pleased his side currently occupy fourth spot, although they still remain a steep 11-points off top-spot.
This is of-course the great thing about the Championship: Wolves 0-1 Burnley, who'd have predicted that when looking at the league table? Also we have newly promoted Luton in third after an outstanding month in August and September wins over Hull City and Preston North End.
It's exciting, nerve-wracking and it's only 12 weeks old! A fantastic advert for English football. Now time for the Premiership to catch up.... enjoy October!