The latest episode of the BBC's 72+ podcast gathered Aaron Paul, Jobi McAnuff and former Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town defender Luke Chambers to take stock of some of the bigger talking points in the second tier, and there was no shortage of material from the Championship to get through.

What next for Preston?

The dismissal of Paul Heckingbottom after a difficult start to the season at Deepdale sits front and centre of the episode. Preston have endured a wretched opening run of fixtures, and the club's board acted after concluding the situation was unlikely to improve under the incumbent. Interim arrangements are now in place under Ryan Lowe's former assistant, Mark Hughes, who has spoken publicly about keeping the squad focused and clear-headed during the transition.

The panel discuss what kind of appointment Preston ought to be targeting. The club's financial position is not flush: they do not carry parachute payments, and their wage structure reflects a mid-table Championship budget rather than a promotion challenger's. Whoever comes in will need to work within those constraints while stabilising results quickly, because a side already short of confidence does not have the luxury of a long settling-in period.

The question of playing style also surfaces. Heckingbottom's tenure was marked by a pragmatic, defensive set-up that frustrated supporters even when results were reasonable. Whether Preston now look for continuity of approach or a clean break in how they want to play is a choice that will define the next chapter at the club.

Millwall host West Ham: 13 years in the making

Caleb Taylor, the Millwall defender, joins the pod to discuss Saturday's London derby against West Ham, the first meeting between the clubs since 2012. That is a gap of more than a decade, shaped entirely by West Ham's elevation to the Premier League and their subsequent absence from the second tier.

Both clubs are now competing in the Championship, and the fixture carries the weight of a London rivalry that has been dormant for a long time. Taylor speaks to the appetite within the squad for the occasion. The Den is not an easy ground to visit on a routine matchday; for a fixture of this kind, the atmosphere is expected to be several notches higher than usual.

West Ham have made a strong early impression in the division and sit towards the top of the table, which lends Saturday's match additional edge. For Millwall, who have had a turbulent run of form and a fanbase that has shown signs of frustration, a result against such opponents would carry real psychological value, regardless of where points eventually accumulate.

The episode does not offer predictions, but the panel acknowledge the significance of the occasion for both sets of supporters. A Championship derby of this vintage does not come around often, and both clubs will be aware that the result will be talked about for some time whichever way it goes.

Lincoln's early-season momentum

Away from the two headline stories, the podcast gives some attention to Lincoln City, who have put together a promising run of form to open the season. The discussion centres on how realistic their ambitions are and whether the squad has the depth to sustain a push over the full campaign.

The 72+ is available to listen to in full on BBC Sounds.

Frequently asked

Who has taken charge of Preston after Heckingbottom was sacked?
Mark Hughes, who worked as an assistant under Ryan Lowe, has stepped in on an interim basis while the club search for a permanent manager.
When did Millwall and West Ham last play each other?
The two clubs last met in 2012, making Saturday's Championship fixture the first time they have faced each other in over 13 years.
Where can I listen to the BBC 72+ EFL podcast?
The full episode is available on BBC Sounds. You can subscribe there to get each new episode delivered directly to your My Sounds feed.