Former striker and pundit Aaron McLean has turned his eye on three Championship clubs after Saturday's action, with Stoke City, Millwall and Burnley all featuring prominently in his weekend takeaways.

Stoke: gathering momentum after rocky start

Stoke arrive into the conversation off the back of a 4-0 dismantling of Charlton at the bet365 Stadium, a result that has lifted Mark Robins's side into mid-table after they lost their opening three league fixtures.

McLean was emphatic in his assessment. "A brilliant result for Stoke up against Charlton, who potentially could have gone top of the league today after having a great start themselves," he said, according to the BBC. "That was a real statement of intent, the manner in which they beat them, and that's back-to-back wins for them now."

McLean specifically highlighted the summer recruitment as a cause for optimism, singling out Ethan Galbraith as "a brilliant signing." The analyst added that Stoke, having promised much in previous campaigns without fully delivering, now have a real opportunity to build something more durable. Back-to-back wins, against Norwich and then high-flying Charlton, suggest the corner may have been turned.

Millwall: impossible to predict, hard to dismiss

Alex Neil's Millwall are shaping up as one of the division's most volatile sides, and McLean seems to view that as a feature rather than a flaw. After five games, the Lions have won three and lost two, with Saturday's 4-0 victory over Bolton at The Den, a match that finished with two late red cards, underlining their capacity for dramatic afternoons.

"Millwall never seem to draw," McLean observed. "They had a brilliant start to the season, winning their first two games, then back-to-back defeats, but they're very much back on the horse today after a magnificent performance."

What gives McLean particular confidence is the depth he believes Neil has assembled. "I fully expect them to be in the shake-up at the end of the season," he said. "They will win plenty of games and they will lose a few along the way, but I think they've got more than enough in the squad to be competing." For a club that has historically flattered to deceive in the play-off picture, those are encouraging words.

Burnley: bottom and searching for belief

The situation at Turf Moor makes for more sobering reading. Burnley sit at the foot of the Championship table, and their hopes of a first win under Nicky Hayen were extinguished on Saturday when Bristol City scored twice in the final 10 minutes to claim all three points.

McLean described a club still carrying the psychological weight of relegation. "They just look like a team that's been relegated and a team that is still suffering from the hangover of last season," he said. "They need to find some kind of cohesion and togetherness at the moment."

The former striker acknowledged that Hayen faces a considerable task in reshaping the mentality of a squad that endured a difficult Premier League campaign. However, McLean was clear that patience is warranted: "I think Hayen needs to be given a bit of time. It's far too early in this season to be making decisions on a manager's future." Once Burnley secure that elusive first win, McLean believes the quality in the squad should begin to surface.

The broader picture

After five rounds of Championship fixtures, the early table already throws up some intriguing contrasts. Stoke's recovery from a dreadful start mirrors the volatility that has come to define opening months in this division. Millwall's win-or-lose pattern makes them a potentially dangerous opponent for anyone in the top six, while Burnley will need to arrest their slide before the mood around the club darkens further.

McLean's broader message across all three clubs is one of patience; with a 46-game season ahead, the conclusions being drawn in September remain provisional at best. What is already clear is that none of the three is short of talking points.

Frequently asked

Why are Burnley bottom of the Championship?
Burnley are yet to win a Championship match under new manager Nicky Hayen and, according to pundit Aaron McLean, are still suffering from the psychological hangover of last season's relegation. A late Bristol City winner on Saturday left them rooted to the bottom of the table.
How are Stoke City performing in the Championship this season?
After losing their opening three league matches, Stoke have turned things around with back-to-back wins, including a 4-0 demolition of Charlton at the bet365 Stadium. Pundit Aaron McLean credits strong summer recruitment, highlighting Ethan Galbraith as a standout signing.
Are Millwall promotion contenders this season?
Pundit Aaron McLean believes Millwall have the squad depth to compete at the top end of the Championship, despite an unpredictable start of three wins and two defeats in five games. A 4-0 win over Bolton on Saturday showed what they are capable of on their day.