It is Swansea City who sit top of the Championship after eight games. Not something many would have expected at the start of the season. But Vitor Matos and his high-pressing, energetic side have enjoyed a wonderful opening to the campaign.
It is performances, more than results, that have pleased him. "I'm happy with the start more than the results," Matos - who won Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for August - tells Sky Sports. "It's the style and the feeling that when you go to watch us play, you have a good feeling.
We are happy when you are out, especially our fans. That's what we wanted, that's what we are trying more than anything. Nearly a year since taking the job, and it is clear that Matos has taken to Swansea, and the locals in the city have taken to him. 'The Swansea way' brings connection.
"It's a wonderful place," he says. "It's a strong culture of style as well. That was one of the main reasons I decided to come and one of the main reasons we all felt close to each other.
"We and the owners wanted to bring back and put the team closer to the style it was always recognised for, an offensive one, with the ball, trying to be dominant and aggressive, but at the same time able to compete against every team. "That is the main part, and having that already as a culture is really good because you can easily connect with each other. "It's a wonderful place to be.
It's a club that you always recognise as a club with a clear identity, with a clear style, which brought the fans together and brought a lot of people together. Being part of that, of course, makes me really proud." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player We have seen good starts fall away many a time in the Championship as the hectic nature of the schedule takes its toll. Matos knows the challenge is maintaining what Swansea do over 46 games.
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