AI picks a song to sum up all 24 EFL Championship clubs' season so far | OneFootball

Football League World has asked AI to pick a song to sum up all 24 EFL Championship clubs' season so far

The return of Championship football after a three-week international break is just right around the corner, as Football League World takes a closer look at each second-tier side's season thus far.

After eight games, it's Swansea City who top the Championship table heading into the break, winning five, drawing two, and losing just one to begin things this campaign, whilst also boasting the best defensive record in the division.

At the other end of the table sits Burnley, winning none of their opening eight games despite playing in the Premier League last season, drawing four and losing four, as the Clarets will be hoping to turn things around sooner rather than later.

Some teams, therefore, will have been happier to see the emergence of the three-week break than others, and as Football League World takes a closer look at how each side has gotten on so far, we have asked AI to pick a song to sum up all 24 Championship seasons thus far, and provide reasoning.

Birmingham City - “Stuck in the Middle with You” – Stealers Wheel

Action Images

AI says: Birmingham's season has been defined by draws. They've picked up plenty of points without really establishing themselves among the promotion contenders, leaving them firmly in the middle of the pack.

Birmingham City have drawn the most games in the division so far (5), and sit in 10th heading into the break, as Chris Davies' side will be hoping to turn some of those draws into wins sooner rather than later, as he looks to guide the Blues to at least a top eight finish this time around.

Blackburn Rovers - “Roll with It” – Oasis

Action images

AI says: Blackburn have experienced plenty of contrasting results already. They've shown they can compete with strong opposition, but inconsistent results mean they've had to simply roll with whatever comes their way.

Blackburn Rovers were tipped by many to be facing the drop this year, having been rescued by Michael O'Neill last time around and subsequently undergoing a tricky summer window.

However, taking points off each Wolverhampton Wanderers, Middlesbrough, and Millwall already, the former Premier League champions are not here to merely make up the numbers.

Bolton Wanderers - “Don't Stop Me Now” – Queen

Action images

AI says: Bolton have produced an entertaining, unpredictable start and their attacking performances have given supporters plenty to enjoy. The dramatic win at Norwich is particularly fitting for a song about unstoppable momentum.

Like Blackburn, Bolton Wanderers had been picked by many as one of the favourites to go down this year, but with back-to-back wins heading into the international break over Cardiff City and Norwich City, they too are looking to prove that they are up to the fight.

Bristol City - “On the Road Again” – Willie Nelson

Action Images

AI says: Bristol City have been moving up and down the table rather than settling into one position. Their mixture of wins and defeats makes the song's sense of constantly moving forward particularly appropriate.

Bristol City occupy 8th place heading into the break, and have enjoyed a solid start to life under Michael Skubala.

The Robins will once again have ambitions of fighting for a place in the play-offs, and with the amount of investment put into the club over the summer, a place in the top eight will certainly be the expectation of many at Ashton Gate.

Burnley - “I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For” – U2

Action images

AI says: This is probably the simplest one. Burnley have played eight league games without finding a victory. They've come close, but that elusive first win continues to escape them.

Burnley, indeed, still haven't found what they're looking for, as the only side yet to win a game in the Championship this season, despite coming close against Derby County just before the break.

Many will feel as though Nicky Hayen has a squad too talented to face the drop to League One this season, though with Luton Town and Leicester City suffering back-to-back relegations from the Premier League in recent years, Burnley must sense the warning signs before it is too late.

Cardiff City - “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back” – Bruce Springsteen

Action Images

AI says: Cardiff have shown enough to suggest they're capable of competing, but every positive result seems to be followed by another setback. Their four draws haven't translated into enough progress up the table.

Cardiff City have been putting up some excellent underlying numbers in the Championship this season, but unfortunately for Brian Barry-Murphy's Bluebirds, they have only been able to convert their superior expected goals into three points just once in eight games.

The Welsh outfit will be hoping to put together a strong run of form before too long; otherwise, they may be forced to abandon their plans with Barry-Murphy and head back to square one.

Charlton Athletic - “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” – The Clash

Action Images

AI says: Charlton are sitting in that awkward part of the table where they're neither comfortably challenging near the top nor seriously threatened at the bottom. Their mixed record leaves the direction of their season uncertain.

Charlton Athletic burst out of the blocks this season, winning each of their opening three league games, and looked like real play-off contenders early on.

However, winning none of their following five before the break will have certainly frustrated Welsh head coach Nathan Jones, who must be wondering what has changed since their excellent run of form.

Derby County - “Everybody Hurts” – R.E.M.

Action Images

AI says: Five defeats from eight makes this a fairly self-explanatory choice. Derby have had very little consistency and have found themselves spending the early part of the campaign looking over their shoulders.

Derby County must be having some deja vu; having won just one of their opening ten Championship games last season, the Rams have won just one of their opening eight this time around.

John Eustace must figure out a way to turn this form around before too long, as whilst he has the trust of supporters for now, if results continue like this, he could find himself out of a job sooner rather than later.

Lincoln City - “Keep Your Head Up” – Ben Howard

Action Images

AI says: Lincoln's first Championship campaign has given them plenty to be encouraged about. They've picked up some impressive results despite being one of the newcomers, so there's reason to remain positive even after difficult defeats.

Lincoln City are by far and away, objectively, the smallest club in the Championship right now as per almost every metric, and this underdog identity the Imps have taken on is already paying dividends.

With three wins, two draws, and two defeats in their opening eight, if Lincoln can go on to survive in their first year back in the second tier, it would be some achievement.

Middlesbrough - “The Climb” – Miley Cyrus

Action images

AI says: Boro have put themselves firmly into the promotion conversation. They're climbing towards the top of the table and have already shown the attacking quality needed to make a serious challenge.

After suffering play-off heartbreak last year against Hull City after slipping away from the automatic promotion places in the final stages of last campaign, Middlesbrough and Kim Hellberg will be looking to right those wrongs this time around.

With four wins, three draws, and one defeat so far, Boro will have their eyes on the top two once again, as the Teesside outfit look to maintain their climb up the table.