Just three matchdays into the new English Football League campaign, several clubs are already facing scrutiny over slow starts, with managers at Stoke City, West Ham United, Norwich City and Burnley among those feeling the heat.
In the Championship, Stoke City's struggles continue under Mark Robins, the seventh manager tasked with returning the Potters to the Premier League since their relegation nine seasons ago. Despite sitting second in the table roughly a third of the way through last season, Stoke won only three of their final 20 matches and have opened this campaign with defeats to Swansea and Southampton. The club's ownership has continued to invest, bringing in Ipswich forward George Hirst on a permanent deal and midfielder Ben Johnson on loan in recent weeks. Robins' side travel to Wolves on Saturday looking for their first points of the season.
Norwich City, who appointed Philippe Clement in November last year, had been tipped for a promotion push after finishing ninth in the Championship following a strong run of 17 wins in 31 games under the Belgian. However, a home defeat to West Brom and a heavy loss at Millwall have left the Canaries pointless after two matches. They host relegated Burnley on Saturday, with the Clarets also winless following a loss at West Brom and an EFL Cup exit at Bradford City under new manager Nicky Hayen.
West Ham United remain a focal point of Championship headlines following their relegation from the Premier League. The club broke its transfer record to sign forward Arne Engels, with manager Nuno Espirito Santo stating the signing was made with an eye on a Premier League return. A home defeat to Charlton last weekend added to the pressure, despite a subsequent EFL Cup win at Southampton. West Ham face Watford away on Saturday, a side that beat Southampton on the opening weekend and drew at Wrexham, despite being heavily beaten by Peterborough in midweek cup action under manager Alessio Dionisi.
In League One, Plymouth Argyle's season opened with optimism after narrowly missing out on the play-offs last term under Tom Cleverley, having been fourth from bottom at the turn of the year before finishing eighth. However, a home defeat to Stockport and a draw at Wycombe have tempered expectations early on. Argyle host in-form Bradford City on Saturday, who have won their opening two league fixtures without conceding a goal and also claimed an EFL Cup victory over Burnley.
League Two has also produced early frustration for two of its bigger-spending clubs. Salford City, who have invested in signings including Luke Molyneux from Doncaster and Brendan Wiredu from Plymouth, have lost their opening two matches under new head coach Peter Cklamovski, who joined after departing his role as Malaysia's national team manager. Salford face bottom side Shrewsbury Town on Saturday in search of their first win.
Gillingham, meanwhile, have taken just one point from their first two games after a heavy 3-0 home defeat to Walsall on the opening day. Manager Gareth Ainsworth, who has overseen a dozen summer signings including striker Ronan Hale, has spoken of building "his team" and "his era" at the club, though results have yet to reflect that ambition. The Gills, who finished 17th in each of the last two seasons, host relegated Northampton Town, who are also under a new head coach in Chris Hogg, on Saturday.
With the season still in its early stages, there remains time for these clubs to turn results around, though patience among supporters — and boardrooms — may prove limited.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.