Five things to look out for in EFL this weekend

With the excitement of the transfer deadline day beginning at the start of the following week, it might be easy to overlook the fact that there will be some football to be played between now and Monday, but as agents compete to extort the most money from clubs for the services of their clients, points can be won.

Even though Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion played Premier League matches against Middlesbrough at Sheffeld United not long ago, all four now seek a return to their former glory, while Millwall and Wrexham make friends almost a century after their last encounter.

It was on Tuesday, not even 25 years since Wigan faced Stockport. However, in League One they retake the lead, while Rovers of Bristol’ arrival in Bristol might make you forgive Grimsby for being a little pessimistic.

The best they have managed in the Championship is 14th during Stoke’s eighth season since relegation, which is their best mark since then.

Fans may not be as optimistic about the future when they have three wins from their first three league games. However, having your fifth manager in three years does this suggest better times may be in store.

After last weekend’s victory at Southampton, current boss Mark Robins told BBC Radio Stoke, “We have to enjoy it – we’ve won three out of three but we don’t get carried away.”

We can improve, in my opinion.

In a 18-year managerial career that included both Robins and him, Ryan Mason squares him with a rookie manager who is already making a positive impression at West Brom.

Mason was the third player to join the Baggies’ hot seat in six months, despite Stoke’s excessive managerial turnover.

The club removed Mason from Tottenham’s backroom staff after failing with experienced appointments, Carlos Corberan made a second trip to Spain on Christmas Eve, while Tony Mowbray’s return to the highly regarded Tony Mowbray failed to achieve the desired top-six finish.

Seven points have been earned from their first start, and signing midfielder Alex Mowatt would likely help them.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here,” she said. The 30-year-old told BBC Radio WM, “We haven’t received a promotion yet, which is why I came here. “Hopefully this season we can be right up there,” she said.

Middlesbrough and Sheffield United both point to recent Premier League trends, with the Blades coming off a somewhat disappointing start. Eight years have passed for Boro.

Both managers’ choices for the summer are producing different outcomes.

After Luton were promoted to, and then relegated from, the Premier League, Rob Edwards’ divorce from them was painful.

With a 100% record, it is the first time Middlesbrough have won their first three league games since 1994/95, which, by the way, culminated in them winning the Championship title.

It’s down to the group’s hard work, Edwards said, “We have to recognize why and continue to live it every single game.” “It’s really difficult to win games of football,” he said.

It’s still unclear how Boro will react to Southampton’s loss of attacking midfielder Finn Azaz.

While the Riverside is looking up, don’t forget about those in red and white in Sheffield, where United is one of two Championship sides that hasn’t managed to draw a point.

Although it was never going to be simple to replace a club legend like Chris Wilder, Ruben Selles already had a point to prove when he arrived at Bramall Lane after keeping Hull City in the championship with just goal difference.

That claim has become much more difficult to prove after three successive defeats.

Selles said, “I won’t give up; I need to do my job better.”

Since these two last met on April 28, 2001, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge, and some of it is now thought to be dowsing Wrexham’s fire.

24 years ago, the Lions reached an FA Cup final and played in Europe, while Wrexham were on the verge of extinction and exiting the EFL.

In just three years, there has been a lot of writing and speaking about the Welsh side’s transition from non-league football to the Championship.

Bis now, despite significant investment in the likes of Kieffer Moore, Nathan Broadhead, and Callum Doyle, more recruits are anticipated before Monday’s opening bell rings.

A lighter touch has been used in Millwall’s transfer policy, but two wins from three have been backed up by Alex Neil’s carefully selected squad to start this campaign, making it a decent bet for the play-offs.

With each other at least four times this season, the road will become familiar as Wigan Athletic and Stockport County will cross three miles, which will make the two counties’ rivalries known.

Due to a coincidence, Wigan’s 1-0 EFL Cup victory on Tuesday will quickly be followed by County’s return to the Brick Community Stadium for a League One game on Saturday (15:00 BST).

In addition to the league and EFL Trophy matches, the teams will also play twice at Edgeley Park.

While the club is still living in the shadow of eight seasons of the Premier League and that 2013 FA Cup win, the focus is on rebuilding for Wigan.

Stockport fell into National League North the same year that the Latics won the league.

A predictable low follows each massive high, something Rovers of Bristol will hope to avoid and that Grimsby Town will hope to avoid.

Blundell Park has experienced a lot of drama over the years, but their 12-11 penalty shootout victory over Manchester United on Wednesday, where their 2-0 lead evaporated in the final 15 minutes, is unsurprising.

Dave Artell, manager, must prepare to stop Darrell Clarke’s Pirates from slaying the Lincolnshire coast by bringing his troops down off the ceiling.

In their first five league games, Grimsby has won one point over Crewe, who are now unbeaten. Football has a funny way of bringing you back to life after only one win, unlike rugby.

“I’m not sure if that result can be overrated, but I hope it keeps coming back,” Artell said.

Although Rovers’ victory might not be the best, it might reveal a lot about the manager about his players.

On the BBC Sport website and app, live text coverage of Leicester City vs. Birmingham City on Friday, August 29, will start your coverage of the entire weekend.