Why Millwall's perfect start has made them early Championship promotion contenders

Millwall have started the new Championship season with a genuine statement of intent.

Two matches, two wins and five goals scored without conceding once: Millwall are already setting the pace at the top of the Championship table. Their perfect opening has placed them among the early promotion contenders, although the club will know that a 46-match campaign demands far more than one strong fortnight.

Millwall opened with a 2-0 win at Bristol City before thrashing Norwich City 3-0 at The Den, a result that left ten-man Norwich well beaten and Millwall sitting top of the division with a goal difference of plus five.

Combining results with control

The most encouraging aspect of Millwall's start is the balance between attacking output and defensive security. Five goals scored and none conceded across two matches suggests the team has found the right blend in both penalty areas early in the campaign.

At this stage, table positions can change rapidly. A single result can move several clubs up or down the division, and early goal difference often creates a misleading impression of a team's true level. Still, two wins without conceding provide genuine evidence that Millwall have begun with real confidence under Alex Neil, according to Afrik-Foot's preview of their fixture against Norwich.

Charlton's victory at West Ham has attracted much of the early attention, but Millwall's perfect record should not be overlooked. The Lions have quietly established themselves as the team to catch after the opening two rounds, according to BBC Sport's Championship analysis.

Why this could be a significant season

Millwall's early position gives the squad belief and puts pressure on rivals to keep pace from the outset. Promotion campaigns are often shaped by consistency, particularly in matches against teams expected to finish in the lower half of the division rather than direct promotion rivals.

The club's defensive start is especially valuable. Clean sheets reduce the need to score multiple goals in every fixture, while an early lead becomes easier to protect when the team is organised without the ball, a quality pundit Steve McLean highlighted when he named Millwall as the team to beat this season.

That does not mean Millwall are guaranteed a top-two finish. Southampton face Millwall next in a fixture where Southampton have historically had the upper hand, while West Bromwich Albion, Wolves and several other clubs also possess the quality to challenge over the course of the season.

Can Millwall stay at the summit?

The first major test will be maintaining these standards once opponents begin to prepare specifically for them, rather than facing sides still finding their form early in the campaign. Millwall can no longer be treated as an unknown quantity after opening with two victories and an outstanding defensive record.

The club must also manage injuries, suspensions and the pressure that comes with being expected to win every week. A promotion campaign is rarely straightforward, and the Championship's competitiveness means even a strong team can lose momentum quickly if results turn.

For now, though, Millwall have earned their place at the top. Their start is not proof that promotion is certain, but it is a clear indication, backed by BBC Sport's early-season verdict, that the Lions may be ready to compete seriously for automatic promotion this time around.