Season Review: Lower Mid Table (11th - 15th)

11th: Swansea City
Points: 47 Won: 12 Drawn: 11 Lost: 15 GS: 44 GC: 51 GD: -7

Vorm has been magnificent in goal for the Swans this year

Swansea came into the season with low expectations and were expected to make a quick return back to the Championship, but it didn't turn out anything like that. Brendan Rodgers did brilliantly to marshal the team to a mid table finish, eclipsing all their critics and playing wonderful football along the way. They did have some defensive frailties, and their 'Swanselona' style of play sometimes backfired, but the majority of the time they were brilliant to watch. Their season was made sweeter by snatching points off Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool, and only losing narrowly to Manchester United. Joe Allen and Scott Sinclair particularly impressed in their individual roles, but the main performer was in fact their goalkeeper, Michel Vorm, who was brilliant all season round. Swansea were a breath of fresh air for the Premier League, but they would be worried next year by the fact that Brendan Rodgers has left his post to take the reigns at Liverpool.

Overall Rating - 8/10
Star Man: Michel Vorm

12th: Norwich City
Points: 47 Won: 12 Drawn: 11 Lost: 15 GS: 52 GC: 66 GD: -14

Holt has scored vital goals for Norwich this season

Like Swansea, Norwich were predicted to have a difficult season battling against relegation, but in the end it was more than comfortable for them. Although they haven't done it in the same fashion as Swansea, they too have added an extra bit of quality in the Premier League. Working around the brilliance of attacking duo Grant Holt and Wes Hoolahan, they were a constant threat to every team. Grant Holt in particular was the driving force behind Norwich's attack, scoring vital goals and finishing the season with a highly respectable 15 goals, the second highest scoring Englishman behind Wayne Rooney. They too will have to do a lot to battle against 'second season syndrome', and with both manager Paul Lambert and star striker Grant Holt threatening to leave, may have an even harder second season back in the Premier League then expected.

Overall Rating - 7/10
Star Man: Grant Holt

13th: Sunderland
Points: 45 Won: 11 Drawn: 12 Lost: 15 GS: 45 GC: 46 GD: -1

Sessegnon has been an integral part of Sunderland's attack

Sunderland were once flirting with relegation when Steve Bruce was manager at the start of the season, but after his sacking looked a much better side. Former Villa boss Martin O'Neill replaced him, to immediate success dispatching Manchester City, before surging up the table with credit to Irish winger James McLean and Benin International Stephane Sessegnon. They didn't always perform to the highest of their abilities, but the Sunderland fans will be more then happy with their team securing an easy mid table finish. Although they went backwards towards the end of the season, they still finished in a respectable 13th position, retaining their status as a Premier League side and they will no doubt be looking for an even better season next year under the inspiring leadership of Martin O'Neill at the helm.

Overall Rating - 5/10
Star Man: Stephane Sessegnon

14th: Stoke City
Points: 45 Won: 11 Drawn: 12 Lost: 15 GS: 36 GC: 53 GD: -17

Stoke's man mountain, Robert Huth

Stoke have become an established side in the Premier League, with their big and physical players in their ranks, ensured that Stoke were never in danger of relegation. Tony Pulis has to take credit, as he worked tirelessly to extract a winning formula, even if it isn't easy on the eye. He packed the side with big physical presences including Peter Crouch, Robert Huth and Ryan Shawcross, which make them a massive threat at set pieces whilst also ensuring that they are effective with the long ball strategy. Their defence is solid and with the attacking prowess of Peter Crouch up front, makes sure that they are effective at both ends of the field. Overall, Stoke fans will no doubt be happy that they will be spending a 5th successive season in the top flight next season.

Overall Rating - 6/10
Star Man: Robert Huth

15th: Wigan Athletic
Points: 43 Won: 11 Drawn: 10 Lost: 17 GS: 42 GC: 62 GD: -20

Wigan's powerful English winger, Victor Moses

Wigan are a miracle team. They are just incredible. They have a poor start, everyone writes them off, and then in the second half of the season they go crazy and initiate a remarkable escape! They looked dead and buried in December, falling to the bottom of the table and not showing any sign of revival. But Roberto Martinez roused his troops to provide yet another dramatic escape, going on an incredible run of games and consequently guiding Wigan to safety. With a switch to an ambitious 3-5-2 formation, Wigan looked a shadow of the team they were once were, and surged up the table with considerable style. They battered some teams and were even able to pull off some astonishing results along the way, including the giant killing of Manchester United, thanks to a brilliant performance and an exquisite goal from wing-wizard Shaun Maloney. Wigan fans and players alike would be ecstatic that they survived, and in the end they did it with a game to spare, spelling a terrific season for Martinez's men.

Overall Rating - 8/10
Star Man: Victor Moses

Final League Table (11th - 15th)

 

11			Swansea City	38	12	11	15	44	51	-7	47
12			Norwich City	38	12	11	15	52	66	-14	47
13			Sunderland	38	11	12	15	45	46	-1	45
14			Stoke City	38	11	12	15	36	53	-17	45
15			Wigan Athletic	38	11	10	17	42	62	-20	43