Football Season Review

Millwall are coming from a season that saw them come ever so close to clinching a return straight back to the Championship, but they will have to spend at least one more season in the third tier after falling to a play-off final defeat to Barnsley. The Lions initially struggled, having won only one of their opening five matches, but improved after that and spent the entire season near or in the play-off places, but rarely, if ever, looked like breaking into the top two. Lead by the superb striking duo of Lee Gregory and Steve Morison, the Lions were an aerial threat that few teams in the division could deal with and gradually got better and better, as they they lost only five games in 2016, with one of these defeats coming in the play-off final. Given their mostly physical side, it is hardly a surprise that they relatively better on their travels than at home, as they had the third-best away record in the league, but had a midtable home record. However, it needs to be noted that their home form also improved in the second half of the season and Neil Harris's side would have been right up there fighting for direct promotion had they managed to spend the entire season playing the way they have in its second half. While losing in the play-off final is very disappointing, Millwall certainly seem to be on an uptrend and, if they keep their key players at the club, will probably be aiming for direct promotion next season.

Player of the Season: Lee Gregory