After just 19 games, only Leeds United have a 100percent record in the Premiership. And that may well be because they've only played one game. That said, they also won in their Champions League qualifier and, having had to prepare for early games in that competition, started the domestic season more focused and more match-fit than their opponents. Alan Smith has scored three times in a week. Whatever problems Leeds have experienced off the pitch in the last year or so, strong leadership in the boardroom and a feisty young manager has created a hothouse atmosphere at Elland Road.
Ambition is a good thing and young players have a taste for winning.
It's a heady mixture. Middlesbrough have ignored their critics and, thanks to a win and a draw, sit at the top of the table. Boksic, Karembeu, Job, the big-name new boys have all slotted in and seem to be making a decent contribution. There are more new names still to make an impression, but there's the rub. The impression is of shop-bought success.