The emphasis on precise league positions is crazy. In a league like this after 10 or 14 games, the difference between being in/near the playoffs or in/near the relegation zone is just two or three results. A few individual mistakes, rough luck in both boxes, unfortunate refereeing decisions.
In 2022/23, over the whole 46 game season 18 wins got us (and Sunderland) into the playoffs, and 13 wins got Reading relegated.
It's understandable from football fans, but people really do overreact wildly to good and bad results and league positions, when in reality the majority of games in the Championship are finely balanced.
I like to think I won't be judging the new guy purely on how the dice land for him. It's more about whether he can sustain positivity around the club, players and fans (after a few months of unwarranted gloom and even panic from a few).