The Championship season grinds to a temporary halt for the final international break of the calendar year as teams take stock on an eventful opening three months of the campaign.
Birmingham City lead the standings but are tied on 29 points with Middlesbrough and Stoke City, while rivals Wolves and West Brom trail the trio by just a point in a congested Championship table.
Just three points separates Southampton in seventh and Blackburn Rovers in 13th, while at the bottom of the table, Burnley, Derby County and Preston will be eager to arrest their alarming form or risk being cut further adrift.
There were plenty of eye-catching deals across the Championship during the summer transfer window, and several players have made a noticeable impact on the second tier. So without further ado, we've ranked our top 10 signings of the season so far.
10. Jimmy-Jay Morgan
West Brom's purchase of Jimmy-Jay Morgan from Chelsea for a fee that could rise to £4million went under the radar during the summer transfer window, but the England youth international has made a stellar introduction at The Hawthorns.
Morgan, who scored 12 goals for Peterborough United in League One last season, has registered eight goal contributions in 15 appearances for West Brom this term, and was hugely influential in Albion's 3-1 success over West Ham at the London Stadium.
Equally adept at operating as the leading striker or a forward off the shoulder, Morgan's vision, footwork and acceleration have made him a vital cog in James Morrison's attacking blueprint. He's showcased the ability to beat a defender, and his unselfish movement creates space for others to prosper.
After such an electrifying start, £4m is peanuts compared to what West Brom could bank for the 20-year-old in the future.
9. Daniel Peretz
Yes, it's arguably a cop out given Daniel Peretz spent the second half of last season on loan at Southampton, but the goalkeeper joined the club on a permanent basis in June in what was an essential piece of business for the Saints.
Peretz has cemented his status as one of the best goalkeepers in the league, and although he will be disappointed he's not battling Lawrence Vigoroux for clean sheet supremacy, the 26-year-old has spared his side on countless occasions.
The former Bayern Munich shot-stopper boasts the best save percentage in the Championship and ranks fourth for goals prevented (3.4); he is a Premier League goalkeeper in waiting.
8. Keven Schlotterbeck
Another Southampton inclusion, the acquisition of Keven Schlotterbeck from FC Augsburg was crucial following the departure of Taylor Harwood-Bellis and the German has made a seamless transition into English football.
The older brother of Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck, the 29-year-old has ensured the Saints backline is at least competent, while his composure in possession and passing range have added another dimension to Southampton's ability to play out from the back.
He ranks prominently for duel and aerial duel success, and if you were not fully convinced of his attributes, he's left-footed, which makes him an extremely valuable commodity in this day and age.
Having suffered a dislocated shoulder in the match against Preston, it will be fascinating to see how Tonda Eckert's side fare without him if the centre-back is out for a prolonged period.
7. Sebastian Berhalter
In terms of value for money, Middlesbrough's purchase of Sebastian Berhalter for less than £1m is right up there.
Combining with compatriot Aidan Morris to forge a flourishing stars and stripes midfield pairing, Berhalter's almost eradicated last season's Championship Player of the Year Hayden Hackney from memory.
Flaunting a diverse passing range and excellent vision, Berhalter's technique and accuracy have provided Middlesbrough with an additional threat from set-pieces and the USA international has chipped in with some vital contributions in the final third.
6. Cyle Larin
Southampton were quick to swoop for Cyle Larin on a permanent basis after his successful loan spell last term and their decision was quickly vindicated when the striker netted twice at the World Cup.
The 31-year-old has maintained his goalscoring form on the Championship scene, netting seven goals in 11 appearances so far, and it speaks volumes of his influence on the Saints attack that he's been greatly missed due to injury.
A fit and firing Larin is imperative if Eckert's men are to crack the top two.
5. Ethan Galbraith
Pulling the strings of Stoke City's promotion charge is the influential Ethan Galbraith, who has taken his game to a new level since his £10m switch from Swansea City in July.
Mark Robins' midfield fulcrum is a diligent and technically sublime operator, and his value to the team goes way beyond the eight goal contributions he's delivered this term.
Galbraith's ability to dictate and set the tempo will receive the plaudits, and yet his tenacity and intensity off the ball shouldn't go unnoticed. Excelling in ball-recovery, his work rate has helped to raise the bar for the rest of the Stoke team.
4. Stephen Welsh
Backed by Jamestown Analytics, Swansea had been scouring the market for hidden gems and the acquisition of Stephen Welsh is the pick of their strong summer business.
Celtic agreed to let the Scotland international leave for free despite Welsh still having a year left on his contract, and the 26-year-old has embraced his new challenge in the Championship with flying colours.
Welsh ticked a lot of Vitor Matos' criteria as he's defensively strong and mobile, but his calm demeanour and progressive qualities have provided the Portuguese coach with the necessary tools for his Swansea side to be dominant with and without the ball.
3. Liam Millar
Birmingham had been patiently waiting for Brighton to make a decision on last season's loanee Ibrahim Osman when an opportunity arose to sign a winger Chris Davies had long admired in Liam Millar.
From a Premier League goalscorer one day to a Championship loan the next, Millar's embraced life in the Second City and the Canada international has helped transform Birmingham into a dangerous attacking unit, especially on transition.
Scoring four goals and registering three assists, it's reached a stage where teams have had to start doubling up on the winger, but even then defenders have struggled to neutralise his speed and trickery.
2. Jack Moylan
Instrumental in Lincoln City's League One title success, many Championship observes - myself included - failed to realise just how good Jack Moylan is.
Cardiff shelled out a seven-figure fee - believed to be £3m rising to £5m - for his services and they will still bank a substantial profit as top-flight clubs sit up and take notice of the Irish attacking midfielder.
Joint-second in the Championship goalscoring charts with 10 goals, Moylan has been weaving his magic at the Cardiff City Stadium with a sensational swagger, thriving as the centrepiece of Brian Barry-Murphy's meticulous planning.
1. Will Lankshear
13 appearances. 13 goals. When he's absent, Middlesbrough have failed to score.
Eyebrows were raised when Steve Gibson decided to dig deep into his pockets to pay Tottenham Hotspur £10m and a possible £10m more in incentives for Will Lankshear, but the 21-year-old is repaying the lavish investment and more.
He bagged 14 goals in a relegated Oxford United side devoid of creativity last season, so in a Kim Hellberg system that creates opportunities like they're going out of fashion, Lankshear has demonstrated his potency in the penalty area to full effect.
Lankshear's goalscoring form has led to suggestions he will eventually take Harry Kane's mantle as England's number nine, and there was speculation he could receive a call-up from Thomas Tuchel for November's UEFA Nations League fixtures.
Honourable mentions: Mikkel Ladefoged, Jensen Metcalfe, Amario Cozier-Duberry, Jack McGlynn, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Rio Cardines, Lyndon Dykes, Andrei Coubis
