The first round of midweek games is when you first realise, or at least remember, just how unforgiving the Championship can be in how relentless the fixtures come and go.
The afterglow of Bristol City's 2-0 victory over QPR may still exist among supporters but for Lee Johnson and his coaching team, preparations for Tuesday's game began in earnest not long after full-time.
Philip Cocu's Derby County represent a different challenge to the Rs, especially at Pride Park, and an early barometer of where each team is at in terms of their development and progress in 2019/20.
Sky Sports presenter David Prutton has undergone his weekly round-up of the fixtures across the second tier and selected tonight's encounter in the East Midlands as the .
The former Nottingham Forest and Leeds United midfielder told the Sky Sports website: "Derby still look a work in progress under Phillip Cocu, and he will be happy enough with their unbeaten start to the season.
"Bristol City got their first win at the weekend, and both of these sides will have their sights on the top six again. Draw here for me."
Elsewhere, Prutton is forecasting his former club and promotion favourites Leeds to beat Brentford, claiming: "You feel that any memories of last season are well and truly banished now and everyone at the club can look forward."
While Nottingham Forest could be frustrated in their trip to The Valley to face Charlton, who have had an excellent start to the campaign with two wins a draw.
Prutton added: "The way Charlton battled back twice at Barnsley for a draw on Saturday showed their resolve as well.
"Sabri Lamouchi got his first win in charge of Nottingham Forest on Saturday, which will help settle things for him a little. I do, however, think this will be a draw."
Prutton's picks in full
Tuesday
Birmingham 0-2 Barnsley
Derby 2-2 Bristol City
Hull 2-1 Blackburn
Middlesbrough 1-0 Wigan
Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Luton
Wednesday
Cardiff 2-0 Huddersfield
Charlton 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Fulham 1-1 Millwall
Leeds 2-1 Brentford
Preston 2-1 Stoke
QPR 1-0 Swansea
West Brom 1-2 Reading
