EFL five things: Early days but the pressure is onImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Pressure is already mounting on Stoke’s Mark Robins (left) and Nuno Espirito Santo of West HamByGlenn SpellerBBC Sport journalistPublished53 minutes agoWe may only be three weeks into the new EFL season but you can sense there is already a little twitchiness among some fanbases.Not winning either of your first couple of league games brings unwanted attention – just ask West Ham, Stoke, Norwich and Burnley.In League One, Plymouth Argyle’s slow start last season ultimately cost them at least a play-off spot and it has been another sluggish opening as they prepare to host a buoyant Bradford City.Salford City and Gillingham have been big spenders in recent seasons in League Two and yet remain mired in the fourth tier with their respective starts hardly giving cause for optimism – here are five things we have picked out to keep an eye on in the EFL this Saturday.Robins trying to get Stoke rockingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Stoke City supporters have had little to cheer in recent seasonsRelegation from the Premier League is only temporary, right? I mean, teams who come down go straight back up don’t they?Try telling that to Stoke City fans who are watching their team play Championship football for the ninth successive season, with a highest finish of 14th since dropping out of the top flight.That did seem to be changing last season when, just over a third of the way through the campaign, they were second with a play-off place at the very least seeming inevitable.But three wins from their final 20 games put those hopes to bed and this season has started with defeats by Swansea and Southampton.But it is not for the want of trying by the Potters’ owners, who continue to stump up the cash for signings to try to get them out of the Championship, with Ipswich’s George Hirst arriving on a permanent deal and team-mate Ben Johnson coming in on a season-loan within the past fortnight.
Mark Robins is the seventh manager to attempt to get Stoke motoring again but that finish to last season and the start to this one has left some restless in their seats – a visit to Wolves on Saturday (12:30 BST) may not help things either.
