Jo Tessem
Ex-Southampton midfielder on BBC Radio Solent

The one thing from last season that stood out for me was the left and right-backs and how they stepped it up after Tonda Eckert came in, and it shows again that there is nothing wrong with playing with a back four. You don't have to complicate football.

That is a big call Andy. To not lose any of the 46 league games would be an ASTONISHING achievement.

Lee Camp
Former West Bromwich Albion and Rotherham goalkeeper on BBC Radio WM

West Brom have dictated the tempo so far, and it is clear with that goal that Rotherham haven't got to grips with the way Albion are playing.

It was a bit of scuffed shot, but they have had the chances and got the goal.

Bit of danger here for Southampton.

Colchester have pressed high up the pitch and the passing from the Saints is looking a little vulnerable. Eventually the visitors get the ball away but this isn't a bad start from their lower league hosts.

Steve Hermon
BBC Radio WM commentator

The West Brom fans are in fine voice here today. It is a sold-out away end!

You can clearly see the work that has gone into pre-season for West Brom - positive signs already.

Goalkeeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala only joined the U's on loan from Hull City two days ago but he's already thrown into the deep end today.

Tom Smith, Colchester's only other stopper, is on the bench as he recovers from injury.

Early chance for the visitors.

Good work down the right wing and the ball eventually drops to Jimmy-Jay Morgan but his deflected volley is easily held by Rotherham keeper Ted Cann.

Three more to go.

Time to get back to the action.

Angus Paterson
BBC Essex commentator

It's a really good attendance here at the Community Stadium, lovely full stands including the away end.

Exciting atmosphere for a good clash.

Elsewhere in the EFL Cup first round, four more teams have gone through on penalties. These are the final results following the remaining shootouts:

• AFC Wimbledon 1-1 Newport - AFC Wimbledon win 5-4 on pens
• Barnsley 1-1 Wigan - Barnsley win 6-5 on pens
• Salford 1-1 Shrewsbury - Shrewsbury win 4-3 on pens
• Stockport 1-1 Doncaster - Doncaster win 5-4 on pens

Image source, Shutterstock

Rotherham, now playing in League Two, host Championship West Bromwich Albion following a busy summer of transfer activity.

The Millers have recruited nine new players, including experienced goal-poacher Paul Mullin, who captains the side, in their attempts to propel up the leagues again after suffering relegation in April.

Meanwhile Albion, who finished last season strongly, are ready to embark on their first full season under head coach James Morrison.

The former Baggies midfielder, who guided the club to Championship safety after replacing Ryan Mason, and then Eric Ramsay, has brought in seven new signings - including left-back Conor Townsend who has returned for a second spell at the club from Ipswich Town.

Image source, Shutterstock

Charlton Athletic head to Cheltenham Town looking to get off a to similarly good start to last season.

A 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion at the beginning of November 2025 put the Addicks sixth and in the Championship play-off places but a run of two wins from 14 matches followed with the club staring down the barrel of a relegation dogfight.

Nathan Jones' side eventually ended 19th, a good return following promotion via the play-offs the year prior, and today take on a Robins outfit who will be aiming to improve on their 18th placed finish last season in League Two.

Isaac Hutchinson, who scored 18 goals for the Robins on loan from Bristol Rovers last year, has since found a permanent home in Doncaster this summer so there will be more focus on players such as new Leicester loanee Kirsten Otchere and Jake Bickerstaff to find the net this term.

It's not been easy summer for either Colchester United or Southampton.

For the U's, many out of contract players have given the club a recruitment headache and there was a time when it looked as if the side were in a goalkeeping pickle as their only recognised stopper, Tom Smith, battles a thigh injury.

Luckily, Smith seems to be on the mend and a mere two days ago, Thimothee Lo-Tutala joined the club on loan from Hull City to bring some competition for the number one spot.

Though for Southampton, it's not the players who have caused the most uncertainty.

Boss Tonda Eckert is waiting to hear the outcome of the charges he faces from the FA for misconduct after the side were thrown out of the play-offs in May for spying.

He faces a ban of potentially six months or more but until then, owner Dragan Solak has stuck with him and Eckert will want to repay that loyalty with another Saints win after a trio of good performances in pre-season.

Well, it's a hectic old afternoon of EFL Cup first round action with 26 of the 29 ties done and dusted.

We are now less than 10 minutes away from the remaining three games.

• Cheltenham v Charlton
• Colchester v Southampton
• Rotherham v West Brom

After nine successful penalties, Ethon Archer is the guilty man to miss his spot-kick for Bromley and Reading are through to round two.

Joel Pereira holds Archer's tame effort from 12 yards out and the Reading 'keeper takes the plaudits from the Royals supporters behind the goal the penalties were taken at.

Guy Whittingham
Former Portsmouth manager on BBC Radio Solent

You could see the quality of the West Ham players in that five-minute spell just before half-time when they created the chances and took them.

That's the difference between top players and players that are trying to get to the top that haven't quite got that skill or that presence or that ability.

Pompey were certainly put to the sword in that last five minutes in the first half and then West Ham got the one goal in the second half and they were happy with that and defended in a way that Portsmouth couldn't get around them at all.

Delano Burgzorg sends Preston through to the second round of the EFL Cup!

North End went down to 10 men after Lewis Gibson was sent off for a professional foul on Ashley Fletcher, and Paul Heckingbottom's side went behind almost straight away thanks to Radinio Balker.

Huddersfield fought hard to keep a hold of their lead for more than 45 minutes, until Jusef Erabi popped up to equalise in the 93rd minute.

It was decided on the cruel game of penalties, and after the away side missed their first two you felt there was only going to be one winner.

Elation for Preston at Goodison Park.

Matt Piper
Former Foxes winger on BBC Radio Leicester

I wouldn't be concerned just based off this game, we have seen plenty of what is to come in pre-season.

And certain elements of the game today will make me excited, and some the fans that came to the game today.

I don't think it was an epic, and I don't think the manager will be that pleased with the performance as a whole.

There were pockets of excitement throughout the match. But we still need a striker - and I will keep saying that.

There were too many mistakes in the first half, they were easy mistakes by giving the ball away too easy.

We have to give credit to Northampton, they were relegated last season and have gone down to League Two, and I think they will fare well this season.

We have seen enough to be excited going forward.

Who else to finish the job for Burnley?

Clarets captain Kyle Walker smashes down the middle to spare Burnley's blushes and the Championship side are into the EFL Cup second round.

An excellent effort by Notts County, who will be in League One this season after promotion from League Two last season.

Nicky Hayen just about gets the job done in his first competitive game in charge of Burnley.