How did your team rank in our Midlands football season review for 2024-25?

ITV News

a day ago

The curtain has fallen on another action-packed football season - with highs and lows for our teams in the Midlands in the Champions League, Premier League and Championship.
Some were able to smash their targets, while others fell at the final hurdle. Promotion, relegation... whatever the final outcome was, we can all agree it was a season to remember.
Here is my review of the 2024-25 season.
In no particular order, I have rated: Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City, Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City, Derby County, Birmingham City, Lincoln City, Mansfield Town, Burton Albion, Shrewsbury Town, Port Vale, Walsall, Notts County and Chesterfield.
Aston Villa - 7/10 What a ride it was for Villa in the Champions League. Reaching the last eight of Europe's top competition was a fantastic achievement, but they will be disappointed not to have qualified for it again next season. The wait for a trophy goes on, but the Europa League gives them a very realistic chance of that.
Nottingham Forest - 8/10 It was so nearly a dream season for Forest. They were in the Champions League qualification spots for much of the campaign, but their form dropped just at the wrong time. They won just two of their last eight Premier League games. It does still mean they are in Europe next season for the first time in 30 years. To put this season in context, they won more games this season than the last two combined.
Wolverhampton Wanderers - 5/10 The arrival of Vitor Pereira completely changed Wolves' season. The fact he was shortlisted for Premier League manager of the season despite them finishing 16th tells you everything you need to know about that. They were in real danger of relegation, and he steered them away from that with ease. He needs backing in the transfer market this summer, or Wolves might find themselves in a familiar struggle again.
Leicester City - 2/10 What a disastrous return to the Premier League for Leicester City. It was unfortunate to lose Championship-winning manager Enzo Maresca to Chelsea last summer, but that still doesn't explain how bad this season was. The appointment of Steve Cooper wasn't popular, and his replacement Ruud Van Nistelrooy holds the worst win percentage of any manager in the club's history. Fans have protested against the board and the feeling would've been worse had it not been for Jamie Vardy's farewell. His 200th goal in his 500th and final appearance for the club was the only joyful moment in a dark season.
Coventry City - 7/10 There was shock when Coventry City sacked Mark Robins but his big name replacement has delivered. Frank Lampard arrived when the club were two places above the relegation zone. He managed to get them to the play-offs that would end in heartbreak at Sunderland. With his own additions in the summer, Coventry will be an attractive place to be.
West Bromwich Albion - 5/10 West Brom were going along pretty well under Carlos Corberan but on Christmas Eve, we got the news that he was leaving for Valencia. It was an unwelcome gift, but it presented an opportunity to welcome Tony Mowbray back to football after his cancer treatment. Sadly, it didn't work out, and any hopes of the playoffs dwindled. The club is taking their time to appoint the next leader and they need an injection of enthusiasm.
Stoke City - 3/10 Stoke City were the first of our clubs to sack their manager this season. Steven Schumacher went in September, and his replacement Narcis Pelach lasted only three months. It is a frustrating cycle for Stoke, who are backed by the wealthy Coates family but just can't find a formula that works. They've now gone for experience in Mark Robins - he says he's never had to deal with so many 'hand grenades' before securing safety on the very last day of the season.
Derby County - 6/10 Despite Derby finishing below Stoke City, they've had a better season matched against their expectations. Survival was the key for them after promotion from League One and that is what was achieved in the end. The managerial coup of the season was poaching John Eustace from high flying Blackburn Rovers. Under Eustace, they got six wins in ten games and they can now start looking up.
Birmingham City - 9/10 A record-breaking season for champions Birmingham City. Their 111 points is a new EFL record, and after years of relegation battles, they are now very much used to winning. The appointment of manager Chris Davies last summer was a masterstroke and made up for the Wayne Rooney disaster, which helped take them down. Yes, anything but promotion would've been a failure, but they dealt with that pressure superbly. The only blemish was defeat to Peterborough in the EFL Trophy final. The real test will come next season when League One's biggest fish is back in the much bigger Championship pond.
Lincoln City - 6/10 Another year of stability for Lincoln City, but perhaps they are victims of their own success. They came into this campaign off the back of an exciting run, which almost got them in the play-offs in 2024. So, expectations rise. Sometimes, a year without drama is good.
Mansfield Town - 6/10 The Stags are playing in League One for the first time in 22 years, and it's important to remember that when reviewing their season, which started with so much promise. They carried over their promotion momentum and were third in October after winning five games in a row for the first time at this level since 1976. Their form got dramatically worse as injuries took their toll, but they survived with ease. Next season, Field Mill will be four-sided for the first time in 21 years, which will further help take the club forward.
Burton Albion - 5/10 Burton Albion's first season under new owners Nordic Football Group saw them introduced to the classic British story of the Great Escape. Manager Gary Bowyer was appointed in December but struggled to make an instant impact, and by January, they were eleven points from safety. Despite that, he turned it around and pulled off a memorable rescue. Next season, they will be the longest serving club in League One.
Shrewsbury Town - 2/10 This was a miserable season for Shrewsbury Town. Their decade in this division is over and they are heading back to League Two. They were stunned when Head Coach Gareth Ainsworth decided to leave for League Two Gillingham in March. Relegation is no fun but perhaps next season will be more enjoyable for Shrewsbury fans as they will surely watch more than the eight wins they managed this campaign.
Port Vale - 8/10 At the first time of asking, Port Vale bounced straight back up to League One. The decision to give Darren Moore a five-and-a-half-year contract last February has been vindicated, and now there is excitement at Vale Park about what they go on to achieve in League One.
Walsall - 7/10 This is the most difficult club to assess. Reaching the play-off final is a huge step forward from where they've been in previous seasons but there is no doubt fans are hugely disappointed. In January the Saddlers were 12 points clear at the top of the table and it felt like they were certain of promotion. To be stuck in the same division after that is a massive failure.
Notts County - 6/10 This could've been so different. Had they taken their chances and striker Alessana Jatta not been sent off in the first leg of their play-off semi-final against Wimbledon ,they would've ended the season at Wembley. Losing Jatta meant they lacked firepower in the return leg, and Stuart Maynard has since been sacked. They say never go back, but former boss Luke Williams is now available after being sacked by Swansea City.
Chesterfield - 7/10 The fact that none of our teams finished outside the playoffs in League Two is something to celebrate. The Spirites weren't able to get past Walsall but have easily settled back in the EFL after their 2024 promotion. There is a lot to build on.