Winners & Losers From Gameweek 7 in the Championship

The Championship is often labelled the most unpredictable league in the world and it is living up to its billing this season.

Perennial mid table plodders Reading are currently leading the way, while much fancied Derby County and Nottingham Forest are languishing around the relegation zone.

The latest round of fixtures were, in typical fashion, full of fireworks. Here are the three biggest winners and losers from Gameweek Seven.

1. Winners - Reading

We kick off our rundown with those aforementioned, high flying Royals. Going into the campaign few were expecting Veljko Paunović's side to pull up any trees.

However, seven games in they are looking very good indeed. At the time of writing Reading have won six, drawn one and only conceded once.

Their latest victims were Rotherham who they dispatched 3-0 on Saturday. The pick of the goals came from Yakou Méïté, who scored a sensational bicycle kick to put his side 2-0 up.

Will the Royals keep this fine form up and secure a return to the Premier League? Only time will tell but the early signs are very good indeed.

2. Losers - Wycombe Wanderers

Little old Wycombe Wanderers' ascension to the second tier was one of the most uplifting sporting stories of the summer.

Going into the season, manager Gareth Ainsworth knew it was going to be tough - but even he would have expected to at least have one point by now.

The Chairboys have lost all of their opening seven games and currently have a goal difference of -13. This weekend, they came agonisingly close to ending this horrific run, only for Norwich to grab a 91st minute winner - with a stunning free-kick - to break their hearts.

It's coming lads, don't worry. For now, you are losers though.

3. Winners - Stoke City

Stoke City were the butt of many pre-season jokes after some admittedly, quite funny transfer business.

After signing Jon Obi Mikel, James Chester and Steven Fletcher during the same window, accusations that Michael O'Neill was assembling an early 2010s Premier League All Stars side were rife.

However, this interesting recruitment approach - which has complemented their genuinely exciting young core perfectly - is working out for the Potters.

This Saturday they edged out Brentford in a five-goal thriller with Fletcher and another former Premier League star James McClean grabbing a goal each. Tyrese Campbell, son of Everton and Arsenal legend Kevin, also netted.

After several years in the wilderness, the good times are finally returning to Staffordshire.

4. Losers - Nottingham Forest & Derby County

This weekend, we were treated to a Friday night east Midlands derby under the lights at the City Ground.

Going into the contest, both Nottingham Forest and Derby County were desperate to arrest their underwhelming starts to the season. Each side had only managed one win and the Rams started the game in the drop zone.

In a fairly even match, Martyn Waghorn fired the Rams ahead in the first half before the Tricky Trees levelled things up after the break.

The draw helped neither team and that's why they are both losers this week.

5. Winners - Blackburn Rovers

Another team tipped for mid table mediocrity, Blackburn Rovers fully capitalised on an early red card during their game against Coventry on Saturday.

As soon as Michael Rose received his marching orders for the Sky Blues in the 14th minute, Rovers burst into life, eventually sticking four past Marko Marosi.

This included a first ever senior goal for Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott, as well as a brace for the league's joint top scorer Adam Armstrong. Overall, it was a superb day at the office.

6. Losers - Sheffield Wednesday

Due to financial problems, Sheffield Wednesday started the Championship season on -12 points.

Prior to this weekend, Gary Monk's side had made a fairly sizeable dent into this but it was not to be against Luton Town. The Owls looked the more likely team to score... right up until Joost van Aken was shown a straight red card for a horrific tackle in the 71st minute.

Not long after, the Hatters grabbed a winner through Pelly Ruddock. We bet his teammates weren't too happy with Van Aken after full time.