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Last weekend the Premier League may have returned with a bang, but that's not to say that there wasn't plenty of excitement to feast one's eyes on in the English football league.
As the second round of Championship fixtures unfolded, so too did a host of surprising results and intriguing match-ups; here's a look at five points in particular which were evident from this weekend's action...
Barnsley facing serious defensive concerns
Last weekend's 3-1 defeat away to Bristol City suggested that it could be a tricky season ahead for the Tykes, but there was the chance to rectify the early blunder when Ipswich Town visited Oakwell on Saturday.
As was the story last campaign however, Barnsley yet again came unstuck by virtue of some very shoddy defending.
The home side had taken the lead through the ever-reliable Tom Bradshaw but quickly allowed the Tractor Boys back into the match.
Town defender Knudsen was allowed far too much space on the left-hand flank to set up McGoldrick in the build up to the equalising goal, before a midfield error gifted the visitors a second. Williams was easily dispossessed through the centre before Waghorn burst away towards the Barnsley end and was once again able to find space and a clear sight of goal with ease, despite being surrounded by three Reds' defenders.
In 2016/17, it was only a decent return of 64 goals across the league campaign which ensured Barnsley wouldn't be caught up in a relegation dogfight, given that they conceded the fourth most goals in the division, more than both relegated Wigan and Blackburn.
If Paul Heckingbottom's boys are to stave off the drop this term, things need to tighten up at the back; conceding multiple goals against mediocre opposition will be deadly in the long run.
All About Abel
With Premier League pedigree now enabling smaller top division outfits to capture big name players, it's inevitable that the odd few will filter down into the Championship, and Abel Hernandez, formerly of Palermo, is a prime example.
The 27-year-old Uruguayan could essentially be plying his trade for a side competing in European competition and, consequently, there are signs that he is going to rip up England's secondary tier.
In Hull's 4-1 demolition of Burton Albion on Saturday, Hernandez bagged a hat-trick and in the process propelled himself into the Championship top scorer position. His first goal epitomised all the good qualities of a poacher, after he headed home from close range, before his second exhibited an entirely different skill, a well-timed volley from the edge of the penalty area.
Finally, the Uruguay international wrapped up proceedings with a calmly dispatched one-on-one effort against the goalkeeper. His hat trick embodied his well-rounded game and underpinned how essential the forward is in the Tigers' pursuit of promotion this term.
Expect more Griffin Park goal-fests
Despite intermittently threatening the play-off spots over the past few seasons, Brentford are essentially the run-of-the-mill Championship outfit, a sentiment heightened by the flat 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United on the opening weekend. Last weekend however told a completely contrasting story, with the club from the capital falling short in a 4-3 thriller against high-flying Nottingham Forest.
Goals for Brentford came from defenders Bjelland and Egan, as well as substitute Maupay, outlining that this is a squad full of attacking talent. This is a side so potent in front of goal that last season they scored 75 goals, more than promoted Brighton and Hove Albion.
At home last term, there were just five games where Brentford didn't find the back of the net, at the other end however, there are still big problems. Bjelland and Egan may have contributed at the attacking end of the field, but they were not competent in protecting Daniel Bentley. With goals seemingly flying in at both ends when Brentford play on home turf, it seems that we are only going to see more games like this in the next nine months or so.
Rudy Ready?
It's a dilemma which extended through the entirety of a desolate Premier League campaign last term and seemingly into this one; just where will the goals come from for Middlesbrough?
On the opening day of the Championship last weekend, Middlesbrough lost away to an impressive Wolves side and criticism and concern arose yet again regarding their potency, or namely lack of it, at the top of the tree, after finishing lowest scorers in the Premier League last season with a mere 27 goals.
The 1-0 victory over Sheffield United this Saturday was by no means a barnstorming display but the goal from former Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers striker Rudy Gestede could pose a suggestion regarding how Boro should set up to maximise the potency of their attacking armoury. Gestede occupied a more direct and central role with the likes of Patrick Bamford and Assombalonga drifting into wider areas to supply him. Middlesbrough have a clinical target-man figure in Gestede and using his aerial ability could be key in unlocking the attacking quality they have been searching for.
Energetic Cardiff City on the front foot
Last term was very much one of consolidation for Welsh outfit Cardiff City, still perhaps recovering from a lengthy Premier League hangover. Whilst their 12th placed finish ensured they were far from the drop, the Bluebirds appeared a long way behind the likes of Brighton and Newcastle United but this term a new approach could render them genuine threats in the chase for promotion.
It was an 87th minute Zohore strike which handed City an opening day win over Burton and little was thought of it; then came a rather intriguing match-up with Aston Villa on Saturday. Neil Warnock's men subjected the Villain's to a 3-0 drubbing and with it made a real statement of intent for the season ahead.
Cardiff's set-up was executed as excellently as it was planned; the home side mounted pressure on Villa from the first whistle.
Through goalscorer Hoilett and Mendez-Laing, Cardiff had great pace on the flanks as well as though the middle with Zohore and Warnock's side used a direct 4-3-3 set-up in which they looked the sharper and fitter of the two and put Villa on the back-foot. Any error by the opposition was gobbled up and used to fuel an attack at the opposing end.
