
First Weeks in the EFL: The Pressure Is Increasing
August 28, 2026
The pressure was starting to be felt for some teams early in the EFL season. The difficult starts of West Ham, Stoke City and Norwich City stand out.
First Weeks in the EFL: The Pressure Is On
Background
George Hirst draws attention as one of the new players joining Stoke City's squad. The team is competing in the Championship after being relegated from the Premier League and Hirst's performance could be a key factor in Stoke achieving their goals this season.
Why is it important
This tension at the beginning of the EFL season is causing anxiety among fans of some teams. Particularly teams such as West Ham, Stoke City and Norwich City became the target of criticism because they could not win. This may cause teams to be under pressure to achieve their season goals.
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- Pressure was starting to be felt for some teams early in the EFL season.
- EFL five things: Early days but the pressure is on - Yahoo Sports.
Although the new EFL season is only three weeks old, tension is starting to be felt among some fan groups. Teams that haven't won in their first two games, especially West Ham, Stoke, Norwich and Burnley, are attracting unwanted attention. Last season in League One, Plymouth Argyle lost their play-off chances after a slow start, and this season they made a similar start and found themselves in a difficult situation before their match against Bradford City.
Stoke City are in their ninth season in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League. Fans were full of hope that the team would rise again this season. Last season, they rose to second place at mid-season but were disappointed with just three wins in the last 20 games. Defeats against Swansea and Southampton this season have made fans even more worried. Although the management continues to be generous in bringing in new players such as George Hirst from Ipswich, this team under Mark Robins needs to fight harder. Saturday's game against Wolves could make their situation even more difficult.
Norwich City was promising at the beginning of the season. Under the management of Philippe Clement, they had a very successful performance last season, finishing in ninth place. However, they also had a poor game at Millwall this season after losing at home to West Brom. Now, they still have no points ahead of their game against Burnley and that has the fans thinking. Burnley are not having a good time returning to the Championship under new manager Nicky Hayen.

West Ham United, on the other hand, is going through a difficult period. Management problems within the club and failures on the field keep it constantly on the agenda. After the transfer of Arne Engels, coach Nuno Espirito Santo expects this player to play an important role in the team. However, their last game loss against Charlton increased the pressure on them. Their game against Watford on Saturday could be a dangerous journey. Watford had beaten Southampton in their first game of the season and then performed well in their match against Wrexham.
What's next
Stoke City is trying to strengthen its squad with new players such as George Hirst, transferred from Ipswich. Their game against Wolves on Saturday could play a critical role in determining the team's situation. Norwich City, on the other hand, is pointless before their match against Burnley, and this is a worrying situation for their fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teams are in trouble in the EFL?
West Ham, Stoke, Norwich and Burnley are teams that are in a difficult situation, having not won in their first two matches.
Who is George Hirst?
George Hirst is a player transferred from Ipswich and joined Stoke City's squad.
What is the situation with Norwich City?
Although Norwich City had a promising performance at the beginning of the season, they have not been able to score any points so far.
Why is tension increasing this season?
Some teams' failure to win and bad starts cause tension in fan groups.
How was Stoke City's performance last season?
Stoke City rose to second place midway through last season but were disappointed with just three wins in the last 20 games.
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Frequently Asked Questions
EFL'de hangi takımlar zor durumda?
George Hirst kimdir?
Norwich City'nin durumu nedir?
Bu sezon neden gerginlik artıyor?
Stoke City'nin geçmiş sezon performansı nasıldı?
What happened in this story?
Who confirmed this news?
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