We have hit the bumper international break and there has been plenty to talk about in the Championship so far.

Swansea City are the surprise leaders after eight games, while West Ham are in second with Middlesbrough and Wolves not too far behind.

At the other end are Burnley, still without a win and rooted to the bottom of the table on just four points.

On the latest Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast, Billy Sharp and Andy Hinchcliffe look at all the big talking points from the opening part of the Championship season.

Swansea lead the way! But can it last?

Five wins, two draws and just a sole defeat coming at Southampton so far for Vitor Matos' side. Swansea have won admirers for their high-press, energetic style and their ruthlessness at the back - conceding just six goals so far.

Billy Sharp: "Their pressing reminds me a little bit of Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds. They are trying to win the ball back quickly and then attack you.

"They have got belief. They are top of the league and they are scoring goals. They have got a lot of confidence and they have got some kind fixtures coming up, so they will be looking to keep that momentum going."

Andy Hinchcliffe: "They have got the best defence in the league. They have got energy, urgency and they press teams. There is a real physicality to them as well.

"What I like is that they have got a clear identity. They know how they want to play and they are aggressive with and without the ball.

"When you are top of the league, there is an expectation that comes with it. The challenge is maintaining those energy levels because teams are going to come and sit in against you and make it difficult."

West Ham have shown resilience and attacking prowess

It was a tricky start for West Ham as they went winless in their first three. But they went on to win their next four, before battling back at Millwall to earn a 2-2 draw last Saturday.

They are by far and away the top scorers in the Championship, with 22 goals in their first eight games.

Sharp: "West Ham were expected to go straight back up. They have got passionate fans and a lot of attacking power.

"The comeback at Millwall showed a lot of resilience. You look at the players they have got, Jarrod Bowen, Joel Piroe and the attacking players, and there is a lot of quality there.

"The character in that dressing room is important. They have got players who have been there and done it, and they have got enough quality to cause teams problems."

Hinchcliffe: "Their defensive ranking is not as good, but you cannot ignore the attacking firepower they have got.

"They have got players who can win you games. Konstantinos Mavropanos has scored four goals as a centre-back, Bowen's leadership, Manor Solomon, Divine Mukasa and Piroe. They have got so much attacking talent.

"If you look at their bench, they can bring players on who would probably start for most teams in the Championship. That gives you a huge advantage over a long season."

Can Middlesbrough challenge again?

Middlesbrough head into the international break in third place, level on points with West Ham.

Will Lankshear has been a standout summer addition, scoring six times so far, but do they have the depth of squad to challenge for the top two again?

Hinchcliffe: "They have invested heavily and they have got some really good players. The money they got for Hayden Hackney and Morgan Rogers has allowed them to build again.

"They have got a new goalkeeper and they have got depth throughout the squad. You look at the players they can bring off the bench and there is a lot of attacking quality.

"It is still a work in progress, but I expect them to be in that mix for the top two."

Sharp: "Lankshear is a big one for them. If he gets 20 goals, that gives Middlesbrough a massive platform.

"They have got a lot of good players and I expect them to be around the play-offs. They have got enough quality to be in that top eight at least.

"But the Championship is stronger this season. Southampton are strong, there are a lot of good teams, but Middlesbrough should be looking at the top eight and the play-offs."

Is Fer Lopez the best player in the Championship?

Wolves have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign, also. They have picked up 14 points, after a 1-0 win over West Brom on Sunday - with Fer Lopez scoring the winner.

The young Spaniard arrived back at Molineux in the summer, and has been exceptional so far this season. Could he lead Wolves back to the Premier League?

Hinchcliffe: "Lopez looks like a Premier League-level player. There is a real quality about him and the way Wolves want to attack.

"Andre gives them that holding midfield role and allows the attacking players to play with more freedom.

"They have got players who can hurt you and there is a lot of quality in that squad."

Sharp: "He is a big player for them. He has got quality and he can make things happen.

"Kieran Trippier gives them experience and leadership, while Andre gives them balance in midfield.

"When you have got those types of players around you, you have got a platform to build from."

Can Sheffield United finish in the top eight?

Just two wins for Sheffield United so far this season. It has been a slow start under Chris Wilder, but Sharp believes his can still have a successful campaign.

Sharp: "They have changed formation three times this season. Not only do you not know the starting XI, you are not quite sure what formation they are going to line up with.

"They have not found consistency. They have got the players and they have got enough strength in the squad, but there are a lot of changes.

"It is disappointing at the minute, but I still think they can get in the top eight. They just need to build a little bit of momentum and have a bit more belief.

"Romelle Donovan needs to be playing. He is a match-winner. He can certainly change a game.

"The expectation is definitely still there. The fans are not happy with the performances on the pitch, but Chris Wilder will find a way to get results."

Could Wrexham's depth work against them?

It was a huge win for Wrexham on Saturday over Southampton, just their second of the season so far in what has been a mixed start to the campaign. It also followed on from a galling 6-0 loss at West Ham the weekend before.

There has been a lot of chopping and changing from Phil Parkinson so far, as he tries to find his best team to compete.

Hinchcliffe: "Wrexham have got an incredible amount of depth. They have virtually got two Championship teams.

"The challenge for Phil Parkinson is keeping everybody happy because there are going to be very good players who are not starting games.

"They have got impact players all over the pitch and that is going to be important over a long Championship season."

Sharp: "Their recruitment has been excellent. They have built a squad where they can change the team and still have quality.

"Kieffer Moore should play when he is fit because of what he gives them. They have got finishers and they have got players who can change games.

"Some of the new signings might need six or eight weeks to settle into the Championship, but once they do, there is a lot of quality there."

Burnley's nightmare start

Bottom of the Championship, with just four points to show from their first eight games. No wins so far either for Burnley, it has been a disastrous start for Nicky Hayen.

Sharp: "It has been a slow start. They have not won a game yet and they have conceded far too many goals, which if you had said that about Burnley the last two or three seasons, you would have wondered what I was talking about.

"If you are going to concede goals in the Championship, you are not going to win many games. You need a solid platform. They have not found a formula yet to get a clean sheet or even to find a win.

"Losing Zian Flemming was a major blow. He showed his quality in that first game against West Ham. He could have had four or five goals that day and when you lose someone of that quality, he can win you a game on his own."

Hinchcliffe: "The amount of changes is a major issue. They are still trying to work out what their best eleven is and what style of play is best for these players.

"They are not aggressive enough on and off the ball. You cannot sit in your own half and allow teams to knock the ball around in the Championship. You have got to be more aggressive.

"They have conceded the joint-most goals in the Championship. That just cannot happen after eight games."

Difficulties at Derby

Derby County only missed out on the play-offs on the final day of last season, but they have got nowhere near that level yet this season. John Eustace's side find themselves in the bottom three, and would be bottom were it not for nicking a late point at Burnley last Saturday.

Hinchcliffe: "I am not particularly surprised when you look at who they are missing. Last season they had Carlton Morris, Patrick Agyemang and Matt Clarke. Those are three players that have to be playing week in and week out if that team is going to be successful.

"When you take three of your very best players out of any Championship team, if you have not got that depth of squad, it is going to be a struggle.

"When you are missing big characters, it does affect a dressing room. It does affect the feeling players go out and play with when some of your main men are not available."

Sharp: "Those are three big players for Derby. It is very unfortunate to lose three players of that quality at the same time.

"If Derby were losing games 1-0 or looking solid, you could say when we get these players back, we will be fine. But they are not really creating a great deal and they are conceding goals as well.

"They cannot just rely on those three players, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt. They are three big players for Derby County."