Coventry City

Ben Ashton
BBC Sport England

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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

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Coventry City will host Spanish La Liga side Real Betis at the CBS Arena on 30 July as part of their pre-season campaign.

Seville-based Betis lost to Premier League side Chelsea in the Europa Conference League final in May but enjoyed a successful season, beating top clubs such as Real Madrid to end the season in sixth and secure European football again.

The match will mark the first meeting between the two sides.

The Sky Blues are also set to travel to League Two's Bristol Rovers the week prior for their first meeting since 2020 - the year Coventry last secured promotion to the Championship.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Coventry City defender David Busst has received the Professional Footballers' Association's Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with the club's community programme.

The PFA accolade, which recognises Busst's work at the club and 22 years running the Sky Blues in the Community programme, was presented at City's final game of the regular season against Middlesbrough at CBS Arena.

Having started his career with non-league Moor Green, Busst joined Premier League Coventry in 1992. Four years later, after 60 appearances for the Sky Blues, he suffered a horrendous broken leg during a match at Manchester United which required 26 operations and ended his playing career.

The following year Busst was appointed as a community coach working in local schools before taking over Sky Blues in the Community in 2003.

Dave Palmer, PFA community director, and Stephen Raynor, senior community liaison executive, presented Busst with his award, with Palmer saying: "No-one is more deserving than Dave.

"He embodies what the PFA strived to achieve in those early days, community transition and career opportunities for our members and Dave's story is a hugely inspiring one.

"He has been a wonderful PFA advocate and is greatly respected by his peers within the network. What he has accomplished during a period of over 30 years with Coventry, firstly as a player and then with great leadership and longevity as head of Sky Blues in the Community has been incredible and truly impactful both for the club and the Coventry community that Dave and his team serve and support so well."

Busst said: "It was an honour and a privilege to be recognised by the PFA who I've been part of since 1992, both playing professionally and working in the community.

"They've always supported me both on and off the pitch, particularly following my injury in 1996, and this award from them for my 'community contribution and long-standing service' will be held in the highest esteem."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist & Coventry fan

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As Coventry City fans are well aware by now - football can be a cruel sport.

For a third consecutive season, the Sky Blues are left thinking about what could have been after Sunderland grabbed a last-second winner with virtually the final touch of extra time.

But it is perhaps not so much the semi-final defeat itself that will play on fans' minds, and more the manner in which it has happened again.

Cast your mind back to April 2024 when Coventry came back from three goals down to force Manchester United to extra time in the FA Cup semi-final.

The Sky Blues were daring to dream when Victor Torp found the back of the net, but his winner was ruled out by VAR in extra time and they went on to lose on penalties.

At the Stadium of Light, it was Coventry who controlled the majority of the game and looked the most threatening but they just could not find a winner.

The game looked set for penalties - much to the nervousness of the 2,500 away supporters - as there was just a Sunderland corner to deal with.

In the blink of an eye, the Stadium of Light erupted and Coventry fans were left with their hands on their heads.

To put it simply... another savage ending in the Coventry storybook.

Yet there are still so many positives to take from the 2024-25 campaign and that is why fans, who will no doubt be hurting today, will also feel an immense sense of pride towards Frank Lampard's men.

Coventry took the game to the Black Cats and they left everything out on the pitch. That is all any fan could have asked from them.

Earlier we asked you what you made of Coventry's agonising late exit from the Championship play-offs at Sunderland.

Here's a selection of your views, which very much represent the vast majority, it would appear.

Matt: Heartbroken for it to end that way, but that sometimes happens in football and you have to take it on the chin. At least Frank now has a full pre-season and summer transfer window to shape the squad how he wants, and fingers crossed brings in a top-notch striker to put away so many of the chances we create. I'm sad now, and will be for a few days, but bring on the start of the new season and let's just see what happens!

John: Fair play to Sunderland. They came with a gameplan to contain Coventry and absorb the pressure. The Sky Blues in both games had more of the play and had plenty of chances but didn't put them away. They have no-one to blame but themselves. As for conceding at the death, it's happened a lot this season and they need to learn lessons.

Davey: Very much in Frank Lampard we trust. Two points off relegation when he came in and top three form since he took over. Give us an effective transfer window and we can be up there again next season.

Lawrence: Very proud of our City and our team. We've had an outstanding season, so let's have no complaints. Frank is building for the future so let's see what we get next year.

Patrick: I am delighted and filled with excitement for the future of the football club. As heartbreaking as yesterday was, I firmly believe that next year will be our year. City to win the Championship 25-26.

Mark: It was a tough season but we got to our expected position in the end. To lose to the very final touch of a game we dominated was typical of the season. Hopefully more experience gained for the hard-working young players. But desperate disappointment for the amazing supporters. Another rebuild in the summer and then into battle in an even more competitive division!

Dale: They played really well over both games and didn't deserve to lose. Hopefully they will be better next season.

Chris D: Phenomenal effort from 10 of the starting 11 and the subs too. Haji Wright cost us Wembley. Just hoping Frank and his team stay long term and go for it again next season.

Chris F: Heartbreaking and felt we were the better team over both legs and to lose in that manner was shattering. All the best to Sunderland in the final.

John: It's a shame we went out after so much possession and shots on goal but we needed the forwards to show better aggression and motivation which just did not happen but good luck to Sunderland.

Samantha: Absolutely gutted but what a season we've had under Frank Lampard. We go again next season hopefully some new signings. Proud to be Sky Blue.

Adrian: Football is cruel and over the two legs Coventry were by far the better team. If Sunderland play like that in the final we will definitely be playing them next season.

Jack: Heartbroken, thought we were the better side for 120 minutes. But Frank Lampard has done magnificently, bring on next season Sky Blue Army.

Well have you ever seen anything like that?

Dan Ballard's mid-air crouch to head home via the underside of the bar and send Sunderland to Wembley with virtually the final touch of extra time.

Black Cats fans, have you ever heard the Stadium of Light like that? Can you now go on to beat Sheffield United?

Sorry Sky Blues fans, where does this latest heartbreak rank in your club's top-10 of misery? Do you think City can bounce back next season?

Come back to this page later to find out what some of you had to say...

Sunderland are defending an unbeaten home record in the play-offs tonight as they look to book a place in the final against Sheffield United.

To overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg, Coventry will have to record a first away win in six attempts.

• Sunderland's 2-1 win in the first leg was their first victory against Coventry since February 2007, ending a run of 10 games without a win against the Sky Blues (D5 L5).

• Coventry have won two of their past five away games against Sunderland in all competitions (D3), having won just one of their first 18 visits to the Black Cats (D8 L9).

• Sunderland have never lost a home leg in the EFL play-offs, winning seven of their eight games (D1) at Roker Park/Stadium of Light.

• Coventry's 2-1 loss in the first leg was their first defeat in the play-offs (W3 D3). They've won their two previous away legs (4-1 v Notts County and 1-0 v Middlesbrough), with both of these also being the second leg of the tie.

• Sunderland lost their final three home games of the regular Championship season, all by a 1-0 scoreline. They last lost four consecutive home games in all competitions in September 2017. They've never done so without scoring.

• Coventry were without a win their final five away games in the regular Championship season (D1 L4), having won four in a row on the road before that.

• Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda were on target for Sunderland in their first-leg victory. The last time a Black Cats player scored in both legs of a play-off semi-final was 2003-04, with both Marcus Stewart and Kevin Kyle doing so against Crystal Palace.

• Jack Rudoni has been involved in 12 goals in his past 14 appearances for Coventry in all competitions (7 goals, 5 assists), netting their goal in the first-leg defeat against Sunderland.

Image source, Rex Features

We asked for your views after Coventry City fell to a 2-1 defeat against Sunderland in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.

The Sky Blues will need to turn it around at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday if they are to reach the final at Wembley.

Here's what you had to say:

Iain: Only one team played to win and, strangely, they lost. Bring on Tuesday, it's all still there to play for. PUSB.

Craig: Devastated for Milan van Ewijk. But he and Coventry need to keep their heads up. Away goals no longer count in the play-offs, so every chance they can turn this around next week. Atmosphere at Stadium of Light will be electric. Fair play to Sunderland but only HT.

Taylor: Coventry were the better team by far for large parts of the game. However, they always looked susceptible to conceding on the counter... and did so twice. Defensively we have to be better. Rudoni and Grimes look like they are born to play in the top division. Wright needs a long look at himself in the mirror to find out what he's missing.

Mitchell: There was absolutely no need to drop Simms. His hold-up play, drawing defenders in, gave the wingers so much space for crosses that we've scored lots of this season. We missed that. Two mistakes from Milan, out of position and a pass-back. I'm hoping they don't haunt him as he's unplayable on his day. Full credit to Sunderland, they deserved the win. We'll try our best, but should they go through next Tuesday, best of luck in the final!

Sam: Gutted to lose that, a gameplan well executed by Sunderland. I'm still confident we do it over two legs. PUSB.

Garry: Shame for the City fans but Sunderland showed the value of getting your shots away, while we relied on a sluggish Haji Wright and hoped for Jack Rudoni to get us out of it again. Sunderland produced a classic away performance and deserved the win, but we go again and at least now we know what we have to do. Come on City.

David: A poor side beaten by another poor side, no quality from both teams. If any one does happen to win the play off final they will be back in the Championship the following year.

AJ: Well done to Sunderland, they came to not lose and defended well as a team. However, having watched Cov tonight, I feel positive about the second leg. Get a first-half goal and it's all to play for! PUSB.

Bob: Sunderland only ever came not to lose. Sky Blues on the front foot continually. Milan, heads up buddy, HT 2-1 down, plenty to play for. Great performance guys, need another one on Tuesday. All to play for.

Ahmed: Not sure what to make of the defeat but probably a change of tactics maybe required from Frank Lampard in the second leg if the Sky Blues are to get past Sunderland.

Ben: Tough day. We pried, we prodded, but in the end didn't show enough. I think Frank for once got his team selection wrong. I don't think we anticipated Sunderland's set-up. Asante whilst good on the weekend was ineffective. Haji Wright was a bystander and disappointing. Sheaf also a little off the pace in the middle. I think a draw would have been fair. Gutted for Van Ewijk, I hope his team-mates get around and pick him up. He cares so much and that mistake could be so costly. Bring on Tuesday though! I am quietly confident that we will go there and put on a performance that might surprise a few. PUSB!

Image source, Getty Images

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard is urging his players to "not drop their heads" after a late defeat in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final with Sunderland.

The Sky Blues were drawing until Milan van Ewijk's short backpass was punished by Eliezer Mayenda's cool finish in the 88th minute.

Now Coventry must come from behind at the Stadium of Light in the second leg to get to Wembley.

Van Ewijk was in tears after the final whistle but Lampard knows his players must quickly regroup.

"I'm proud of the players," he told BBC CWR.

"We obviously didn't get the result we deserved and we didn't deserve to lose, but we can't drop our heads and understand there's loads to play for."

Coventry had almost 75% of possession at the CBS Arena, but they struggled to make clear cut chances.

However, the manager was still pleased with his side's efforts and believes the tie can be turned around.

"It was a good performance," he said. "I don't need to dwell on the mistakes too much but the performance was good.

"We couldn't break the deadlock because they defended their box so well but we did everything we could for large parts of the game without maybe that little end bit.

"It didn't happen and so we go again. The game may look different on Tuesday and it may feel different at their stadium whether they play the same way."

Were you in the stands at the CBS Arena or following the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final from elsewhere? Wherever you were, we want hear from you.

What did you think of the Sky Blues' performance?

Any thoughts on Sunderland's efforts?

Come back to this page tomorrow to find out what some of you had to say.