Sky Bet League One:

A busy first week tells us much but also little. It is a small sample size in a long season. With so much football still to be played it really is too early to get really serious about anyone endangering relegation.
Except...
There is absolutely no doubt that some teams have laid a vast and smelly mound of SOMETHING in the middle of the road. Something really does smell like it has already died and a lightening visit to the medicos are in order.

Relegation Zone

Southend United

Southend United played its own terrifying battle of "Groundhog Day" while hosting Gillingham to start the new season. First the Shrimpers.took on the Kent side in the League One opener before in midweek hosting the Gills for an EFL Cup tie.

Each game marked the Shrimpers scoring early to take a hopeful lead. And also in each Southend fell apart in the second half and succumbed to identical 1-3 scores.

Their second League One match was quite more direct  when they visited Port Vale as the coast side crew simply gave way 2-0 for their third trouncing in their first week. It was a cumulative score of 2-8 and the pink chewables were out and active in Southend-on-Sea.

AFC Wimbledon

The first week of play may seem harsh for AFC Wimbledon, but the Dons nonetheless look to be needing time to get used to their new league after promotion.

First up was a trip to Walsall, who were just a few close chances off of playing Championship football this year. While Wimbledon played bravely, they seemed to be a step slow and a level low in refinement as the Saddlers spanked the newcomers 3-1. And even that scoreline was a bit gracious as the Don's only goal came in the final minute.

The midweek EFL Cup tie was at fellow League One side Peterborough United. This actually was a neat and back and forth affair that the Dons may wish hadn't gotten away. A heart wrenching goal in the 93rd minute dumped the Dons out of the competition.

Finally Wimbledon hosted a game, this time against last year's Championship relegated Bolton Wanderers, a side that hadn't won an away game in any competition in over a year. Then when Wimbledon scored early it looked like all was on the mend. At least it did, right until Bolton plunked in two goals and sprinted out of Kingsmeadow before their luck changed.

AFC Wimbledon at times have played quite well. Unfortunately they have been completely unable to play well for a full match.

Oldham Athletic

The good news for Oldham is they have shown something. Unfortunately they began as the victims of a disastrous 3-0 trouncing the opening League One game when visiting Milwall. They did follow up with a solid 2-1 home victory versus Wigan in their midweek EFL Cup tie. Then battled to a rather dour scoreless draw against visiting Walsall to closeout their first week.

Scoreline in League One is 2 games, ZERO goals scored, one point. The Cup victory gives hope, but there is work to be done here.

Charlton Athletic

Charlton almost looks like Oldham, minus an EFL Cup victory but having at least scored a goal in League One competition.

The week opened with a limp 2-0 loss when visiting Bury. This was followed by a 1-0 loss at Cheltenham at the midweek Cup tie. Then a ray of hope emerged from the gloomy skies as the Addicks managed a 1-1 draw against visiting Northampton.

Of course, what do you say when the high point of a season to date is a draw?

Outside Looking Up

Coventry City

Shrewsbury Town

Again, far to early to really get too serious about most teams. However Coventry City and Shrewsbury Town get put on our radar. Along with Oldham Athletic they are the only squads in League One who have not yet scored a goal. Sorry boys, but 0-0 draws will only get you so far in this league.

Relegation Game of the Week

Tuesday August 16

Charlton Athletic

Shrewsbury Town