It seemed strange to see one of our Championship rivals in Community Shield action yesterday.

But Wigan Athletic’s third trip to Wembley in the space of a few months serves as a reminder that we face some seriously strong clubs in the Championship this season.

A glance at the QPR teamsheet was a reminder of that.

And like Saturday’s visitors, both Reading and Wigan will attack the second tier with the help of even larger parachute payments than previously.

That’s no guarantee of success because last season the three who had come down – Blackburn, Bolton and Wolves – certainly didn’t have things their own way, with the last of them suffering a second successive relegation.

It’s hard to see Harry Redknapp’s QPR or Reading, who also have a manager with proven Championship pedigree in Nigel Adkins, suffering that fate.

Owen Coyle, who has replaced Roberto Martinez at Wigan, is also an experienced operator who took Burnley into the top flight.

His two problems at Wigan will probably be keeping hold of the club’s remaining ‘jewels’ like James McCarthy, Shaun Maloney, James McArthur and Callum McManaman, having already seen some star men follow Martinez to Goodison Park, and dealing with the sheer number of fixtures the Latics face this season.

Their FA Cup success also brought entry into the Europa League.

That means some lengthy journeys for Thursday games and a minimum of 55 fixtures.