Two games in, and the Championship's early narrative is already taking shape: Millwall look like genuine promotion contenders, while West Ham are struggling to adapt to life in the second tier. That is the verdict of former striker and Final Score pundit Aaron McLean, who offered his assessment after Saturday's action.

Millwall: six points, zero doubts

Millwall sit alongside Charlton Athletic as the only two sides with maximum points from their opening two fixtures, after the Lions thrashed Norwich City 3-0 at The Den. For McLean, the result was no surprise.

"I think Millwall are, at this moment, the team to beat," he said. "Last season they just fell short. I think they look solid at the back, they look strong, they look aggressive and they can score goals. I expect them to be very much in the hunt for automatic promotion."

The assessment will carry weight among supporters who have watched the club build steadily. After narrowly missing out on the play-offs last term, according to McLean's reading, the Lions now possess the blend of defensive solidity and attacking threat to go all the way in the automatic places. A perfect start at The Den will only amplify that confidence heading into the early weeks of the campaign.

West Ham: a mentality problem, not just a results one

The mood at the London Stadium is markedly different. West Ham, relegated from the Premier League last season under Nuno Espirito Santo, have taken just one point from their first two Championship fixtures. They drew their opener against Burnley after surrendering a two-goal lead, then lost 2-1 at home to Charlton on Saturday, missing a 93rd-minute penalty that could have salvaged a point.

McLean was direct in his analysis. "I look at West Ham and think last season they were relegated because they weren't good enough. They have come into the Championship, they almost need to hit rock bottom," he said. "If you are West Ham at home in front of 62,000, you shouldn't need a penalty to try to salvage something. There needs to be huge improvements in the mentality and maybe the personnel if West Ham hope to have a good season."

The reference to personnel is pointed. Nuno has spoken publicly about wanting further attacking reinforcements, and the squad's inability to hold leads in consecutive matches suggests the issues run deeper than individual errors. With a fan base of that size expecting an immediate return to the top flight, the margin for continued disappointment is slim.

The wider picture after two rounds

McLean also highlighted Charlton's encouraging start. The Addicks, managed by Nathan Jones, have won both of their opening matches and are operating with a more expansive style than the cautious approach that kept them in the division last season.

"Last season was about consolidation for Charlton," McLean noted. "This year I think they are looking to go one step further. Back-to-back wins now for them, they will fancy themselves to be able to go on and build on that."

For Championship supporters, the storylines are rich this early: a resurgent Millwall with eyes on automatic promotion, a West Ham side yet to find their feet, and a Charlton team that looks to have grown into something more ambitious. The division has a habit of humbling clubs who arrive expecting an easy ride, and the opening fortnight has already provided plenty of evidence of that.

Whether West Ham can arrest the slide before the narrative firms up around them remains the central question of the coming weeks. For Millwall, the focus will simply be on maintaining standards that have already placed them at the summit of early expectations.

Frequently asked

Why are Millwall considered favourites for promotion this season?
Pundit Aaron McLean described Millwall as 'the team to beat' after their perfect two-game start, citing their defensive solidity, physicality and ability to score goals as reasons to expect them to challenge for automatic promotion.
How have West Ham started their Championship season?
West Ham have taken just one point from their first two Championship fixtures, drawing with Burnley after squandering a two-goal lead and then losing 2-1 at home to Charlton, missing a late penalty in the process.
Who did Millwall beat to go top of the early Championship table?
Millwall beat Norwich City 3-0 at The Den on Saturday to make it six points from six and join Charlton as the only sides with a perfect record after two games.