Two of the Championship's most talked-about stories this week got the full treatment on the BBC's 72+ EFL Podcast, with Burnley's signing of 39-year-old Jamie Vardy and Bristol City winger Jed Wallace's start to life at Ashton Gate taking centre stage alongside Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson.

Can Vardy spark Burnley's revival?

Burnley's decision to bring in Vardy has raised eyebrows across the second tier, and the podcast did not shy away from the scepticism that surrounds it. The Clarets are understood to be struggling towards the foot of the Championship table, and the question being asked at Turf Moor is whether a forward who turns 40 next year can genuinely provide the goals that have been so elusive this season.

According to the discussion, opinion is divided. Supporters of the move point to Vardy's movement, experience and ability to unsettle defences even without being at his absolute peak. Critics, however, question whether recruiting a player of his age addresses the structural problems that have left Burnley in difficulty. The podcast framed it as a calculated gamble rather than a straightforward fix, and that reading feels about right given the broader context of a squad that has been short of confidence and cutting edge.

Manager Scott Walker has spoken publicly about the need to fight their way out of trouble, and the Vardy signing appears to reflect a club that believes a focal point up front could change the dynamic. Whether that proves to be correct will likely become clearer over the next six to eight weeks.

Wallace reflects on his Bristol City move

Jed Wallace, appearing as a guest on the podcast in his capacity as a Bristol City player, spoke about his start to life at the club since joining from elsewhere this summer. According to the episode summary, Wallace addressed his early weeks at Ashton Gate and picked out a favourite teammate moment in the show's 72-plus, 72-minus segment, a late winner from one of his new colleagues.

Wallace has been a notable addition to City's attacking options, and his comments on the podcast suggest he has settled quickly. Bristol City have been spoken of in connection with a play-off push this season, and Wallace's form will be central to whether Liam Skubala's side can sustain that challenge into the second half of the campaign. The club's recent 1-0 victory over Watford pointed to a side capable of grinding out results, and Wallace's creative contribution is widely regarded as a key part of that.

From a City perspective, having a player of Wallace's profile speaking positively about the club and his teammates in a national broadcast carries its own value. It signals a dressing room that, at least publicly, feels cohesive and motivated.

A wide-ranging week for the second tier

The podcast also touched on the sacking of Michael Duff at Wycombe Wanderers, though that story falls outside the Championship's remit, and on the struggles of another second-tier side following a heavy defeat at the weekend. The range of topics underlines how much movement there has been across the division in the early weeks of the season.

For Burnley and Bristol City supporters in particular, this episode of 72+ offers an unusually direct window into how their clubs are being perceived from outside. Burnley's situation is framed as a crisis requiring urgent answers; Bristol City's, by contrast, looks like a side with momentum and a genuine sense of direction.

How the next run of fixtures plays out for both clubs will do much to confirm or complicate those narratives. The Championship rarely stays still for long.

Frequently asked

Has Jamie Vardy signed for Burnley?
According to reports discussed on the BBC's 72+ EFL Podcast, Jamie Vardy has joined Burnley. The 39-year-old is understood to have signed for the club as they look to arrest a difficult start to the Championship season.
How has Jed Wallace started at Bristol City?
Jed Wallace appeared on the 72+ EFL Podcast and spoke positively about his early weeks at Bristol City. The winger is part of a City squad that has been mentioned as contenders for a play-off push this season.
Where are Burnley in the Championship table?
Burnley are understood to be struggling towards the lower end of the Championship table at this stage of the season, which is part of the reason the club moved to sign Vardy in search of a spark up front.