Millwall

Ben Ashton
BBC Sport England

Image source, Getty Images

The 2024-25 Championship season might be over but there are many ways to analyse and reflect on the campaign that has gone before us.

Not every club can go up but if there are signs a team is moving in the right direction, it can still be considered good progress - or quite the opposite if things are on the slide.

Here is a look at how each of the 18 sides who were in the Championship for the past two seasons got on points wise compared to the 2023-24 campaign.

It perhaps comes as no surprise that Sunderland, who won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, recorded the most significant improvement after finishing 16th in 2023-24 and picked up 20 more points.

Despite a tumultuous season off the field, Blackburn were the second most improved side in the division, gaining 13 points on the previous campaign as they missed out on the play-offs by just two points.

Leeds racked up 90 points in 2023-24 but somehow still managed a 10-point improvement as they hit the 100 mark on their way to winning the title in their best-ever season in the second tier.

Millwall's seven-point improvement was enough to help them finish five places higher in eighth, but they fell short of the top six by two points.

Meanwhile, Bristol City were only six points better off but managed to climb five places and claim a play-off spot, recording their best Championship finishing position since 2007-08.

Coventry also only improved by five points but were able to jump from ninth to fifth, perhaps showing just how fine the margins can be in the Championship when it comes to securing a play-off berth.

At the bottom...

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You might want to look away now, Hull City fans.

The Tigers went backwards more than any other side compared to the previous season under Liam Rosenior, dropping from seventh place and three points outside the play-offs to only escaping relegation on goal difference on the final day.

Cardiff went from mid-table in 2023-24 to rock bottom and will drop down to League One for the first time in 22 years. It is pretty clear to see why as the Bluebirds picked up 18 fewer points compared to the previous season.

Norwich tumbled to 13th place after finishing in the play-offs a year before - an underperformance which ultimately cost Johannes Hoff Thorup his job as head coach.

Preston were 10 points off the play-off places in 2023-24 but picked up 13 fewer points under Paul Heckingbottom in what was their worst season since they were relegated from the Championship in 2010-11.

The Lilywhites' downturn was largely due to a major dip in form in the latter stages of the campaign, picking up only one win from their final 15 games (D7 L7) to avoid the drop by just one point.

West Bromwich Albion endured a disappointing season - for a club which always harbours ambitions of plying its trade in the top flight - with an 11-point drop off.

Albion's final points tally of 64 was their worst in the Championship since 1999-2000.

Plymouth may have only been five points worse off than they were in 2023-24 but having survived on the final day that season, there were to be no such heroics this time around and their two-year stint in the second tier is over.

And the rest...

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*All data based only on teams who were in the Championship in 2023-24 and 2024-25

We asked Millwall fans for their views on the news boss Alex Neil has signed a new contract.

He led the Lions to an eighth-placed finish in the Championship last season and seems have made quite an impression at The Den.

Here are some of the thoughts of Millwall ers...

Brian - I think it is great news that Neil has signed a new deal. He has proved in a short period of time that he has all the attributes necessary to enable Millwall to realise their ambitions for next season and beyond. As a lifelong er and season ticket holder, I am really excited for the future.

Vinny - Fantastic news. We've seen real progress and some excellent football under Neil.

Louis - We were looking so rough towards the end of the year and then we brought Alex Neil in and he's done fantastic work. We weren't starting [Mihailo] Ivanovic enough and, to be honest, I'm not sure Alex started him enough either, but I'm looking forward to a successful season and I think he could get us to the play-offs this year.

Stuart - Good news. Has been magnificent since he came in. Importantly, he understands the club and the fans. Good luck for next season AN.

Deano - This is absolutely great news. We are progressing as a club from where we were a long time ago, and it's so great to have Neil g an extended contract. He is the ideal manager for this club. He understands where we're going and what we want as a club.

Tony - He did a good job and needs a chance to build his own team. Much better than [Joe] Edwards and an improvement on Neil Harris' second stint.

Stephen - I think it's a great g. He ran out of time last season and with the youngsters he has at his disposal I'm sure he will get it right.

Dean - Absolutely fantastic news. Alex has hit the ground running. Hopefully, we can have a good transfer window and kick on next season. Can't wait.

Adam - Great news. I don't think I've looked forward to a coming season as much as this in years.

Nick Hart
Fan writer

Image source, BBC Sport/Getty Images

The news that Alex Neil has signed a new contract with Millwall is a very welcome development.

The new deal is, of course, totally deserved.

When Neil arrived at John Berylson Way at the turn of the year, the Lions were looking over their shoulders, trying to fend off the drop zone.

So his achievement in getting us so close to play-off football, especially with the injury list that we were carrying, AND to do it playing good, committed and attack-minded football was little short of magnificent.

Millwall has historically performed well under Scottish managers, and Lions fans have certainly warmed to Neil's honest and plain-speaking style.

A big summer of squad development lies ahead, but today's cementing of the head coach position is a major step forward for the forthcoming 2025-26 season.

Some of us can't wait for it to start.

Find more from Nick Hart on Achtung! Millwall., external

Millwall boss Alex Neil has signed a new contract which will keep him at the club for the "foreseeable future".

What do you make of this news Lions fans?

The former Norwich City and Sunderland manager led Millwall to an eighth-placed finish in the Championship last season.

Are you happy to see him continue for the long-term in the role?

Send us your thoughts by clicking here and check back later for some of the views we receive.

Millwall and Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh are understood to have held talks over a shock investment in the Championship side. (Mail, external)

Want more transfer news? Take a look at Friday's gossip column here.

Image source, Rex Features

Millwall forward Zian Flemming has completed a permanent move to Burnley having spent the season on loan at Turf Moor.

The Dutchman scored 14 goals in all competitions as the Clarets won promotion from the Championship this season, finishing second behind Leeds United.

Flemming, 26, ed Burnley on a season-long loan in August and at the time of g made his ambitions clear.

"I want to be a Premier League player in a Premier League team and with the aims and ambitions that we have here at the club, we can make that possible," he told the club website, external.

Details of the fee and the duration of Flemming's contract have not been disclosed.

Image source, Rex Features

Millwall goalkeeping coach Andy Marshall has announced he is leaving the club.

Marshall revealed the tragic loss of Lions keeper Matija Sarkic last summer had changed his perspective on life and he plans to spend more time with friends and family.

The 50-year-old had worked with Montenegro international Sarkic, whose former clubs include Aston Villa, Wolves and Birmingham, for more than nine years and described him as 'like a son to me.'

Marshall - the only Lions keeper to play in an FA Cup final (in 2004) - returned to The Den in July 2022 to oversee the first-team and under-21 goalkeepers.

The 50-year-old told the club website, external: "I have decided that now is the right time to step away from my role.

"I have loved every minute of my time here, both as a player and as a coach, and I truly feel now is the right time for me to take a break.

"Events over the last year have completely changed my perspective on life and now is the moment to focus and prioritise those closest to me and to enjoy my time with them.

"My family and I will continue to Millwall from the sidelines."

A statement from Millwall read: "The club would like to extend its sincere thanks to Andy for his outstanding contributions over the past three seasons.

"It also wishes to express how immensely proud it is of his professionalism and character in the wake of the ing of the much-loved Matija Sarkic, who was a very dear friend and colleague to Marshy."

Image source, Getty Images

Ra'ees Bangura-Williams has signed a new "long-term" contract with Millwall after making an impressive start to life in the Lions first team.

The 20-year-old forward made his debut in the 3-0 FA Cup third-round win over Dagenham & Redbridge in January and scored just 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute.

His performances earned him a call into the England Under-20 squad and he featured in a 2-2 draw with Switzerland in March.

Bangura-Williams made 13 appearances for Millwall this season before an injury curtailed his campaign.

The club have not disclosed the exact length of the new deal.

Nick Hart
Fan writer

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Millwall's quest to find a late-season play-off spot proved in the end to be a game too far at Turf Moor on Saturday.

In many ways this was a magnificent performance by the Lions, who gave everything to find the win they needed to make the top six.

But a second half of relentless Burnley pressure proved, in the end, to be too much for the injury-hit Londoners, who were left to rue sloppy defending almost from the kick-off following Mihailo Ivanovic's top-quality finish on 10 minutes, allowing the Clarets straight back into the game having put them on the back foot.

Follow that with Josh Coburn's howler in front of an open goal on 35 minutes and it was self-inflicted errors that probably sealed Millwall's fate, as chances like that simply can't be missed at this level.

Harsh, but true.

Overall, Burnley were worthy winners on the day, though the Lions will be looking forward in anticipation to the 2025-26 campaign already.

I know I am.

Since his arrival in January, gaffer Alex Neil has brought in new energy and attacking zeal, which teamed with the club's emphasis on youth development augurs well next season.

Roll on August!

Find more from Nick Hart on Achtung! Millwall., external

Image source, Rex Features

Millwall manager Alex Neil says that while Burnley were the better side in their 3-1 defeat at Turf Moor, his team should have taken more chances.

Josh Brownhill's brace and Jaidon Anthony's goal cancelled out Mihailo Ivanovic's opener.

Josh Coburn squandered a brilliant chance with the scores level, and Neil wanted his side to be more clinical as they narrowly missed out on the play-offs.

"Whenever you're playing the top teams in this division, it is tough," he told BBC Radio London.

"We had opportunities and didn't make the most of them. In a game of this magnitude when Burnley are chasing the league and we're chasing play-offs, you need to take the key moments and we only converted one. That isn't enough.

Neil added that his side's approach was to play on the counter attacj, which brought them some joy.

"You need to have a game plan; you have to understand you're not going to dominate the ball.

"That wasn't our intention; we tried to get them to risk the ball so we could nick it and try to counter.

"Burnley were the better side, I have no problem saying that.

But I've been involved in those moments where if you take your chances you can take the points. Unfortunately today wasn't our day."

Burnley and Millwall are both on the hunt - but will either side be able to find what they are looking for when they meet at Turf Moor on Saturday (12:30 BST)?

For the Clarets, it's the Championship title they have their eye on but they'll need to better Leeds' result to obtain it.

Whereas the Lions are looking for a spot in the play-offs but are one of five contenders, currently sitting the middle of the pack just one place outside the top six.

So long as they win and Coventry City or Bristol City do not, it's theirs, but they will also need to be the first visiting side to claim victory at Turf Moor all season. A big ask.

• Burnley have lost just one of their last seven league games against Millwall (W3 D3), though that sole defeat did come in the reverse meeting in November last year (1-0).

• Millwall will be looking to record their first league double over Burnley since the 1997-98 campaign during which they won at Turf Moor 2-1.

• Burnley are unbeaten across their last seven Championship matches on the final day of the season (W4 D3), since a 5-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in May 2008.

• Since December 2020, Millwall have won just two of their last 12 away league games against sides from Lancashire (D5 L5), 4-2 and 3-2 wins against Preston and Blackpool respectively during the 2022-23 campaign.

• Burnley are currently unbeaten across their last 32 league games, with only Reading in 2005-06 (33) and Huddersfield Town between January and November 2011 (43) ever having a longer run in the English Football League outside of the top tier.

Nick Hart
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

To call Saturday's home win over a very decent Swansea side tense would be an understatement.

At times, the Lions were clinging on desperately in a second half that seemed never-ending.

The hero of the match was 19-year-old third-choice goalkeeper George Evans, who made a series of magnificent stops and blocks to protect a slender one-goal lead, thanks to George Saville's 38th-minute finish in front of a volcanic Den crowd.

Are the football gods smiling on Millwall's unlikely play-off run this season?

We'll find out next Saturday when we travel to league title-chasing Burnley.

They have just two losses all season [one of those against Millwall] and we'll need to continue to ride our luck with other results featuring Coventry and Bristol City needing to go our way.

The Clarets will present a very strong challenge and as we saw against Swansea, scoring goals has been a problem for the 'Wall across the season.

But what an exciting finish and what a tribute to Alex Neil's squad to be in this position.

Anything seems possible for this Millwall side right now and we'll be travelling to Lancashire both in hope but also with some confidence, too.

Come on you Lions!

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If Millwall reach the Championship play-offs they will have done it the hard way, according to head coach Alex Neil.

The Lions beat Swansea 1-0 at the weekend which means only goal difference is keeping them out of the top six heading into their final game of the campaign at already-promoted Burnley on Saturday (12:30 BST).

A Millwall win at Turf Moor on Saturday would be enough to claim a play-off spot if Coventry fail to beat Middlesbrough.

"With the run of fixtures we've had we've done it the hard way getting to this point," Neil told BBC Radio London.

"I don't think anyone would rule us out but we know it's going to be a tough task but one we're looking forward to."

Millwall have won five of their past six games, including victories against fellow promotion hopefuls Sheffield United and Middlesbrough and Neil is encouraged with how his players have been handling the run-in.

"You meet the fans in the week and they say 'this is where we normally fall short' but we certainly didn't (against Swansea) so that's a nice a feeling and we've got a big one where we'll need as much backing as we can get and we'll do our best," he added.

Image source, PA Media

Millwall boss Alex Neil says his side have to "play better" in their final game next week after they beat Swansea 1-0 to remain right in the hunt for a play-off spot.

The Lions' fifth victory in their past six games lifts them to to seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Coventry City.

"You could see there were a lot of nerves around the game. I don't think it helps that the other game plays before us, although in this instance it worked in our favour because we knew the [Coventry] result," Neil said.

"It's certainly not the best we have played. We know we can play better and we will need to play better next week if we want to try to give ourselves an opportunity.

"But what we do have is, we are always in every game, we give it everything we have got.

"I am really proud of the players for their efforts this season, but we have still got one to go."