West Midlands Football Review: Potters lead the way as new EFL season kicks off

The 2023/24 season is finally underway for clubs in the EFL, but it was not the best weekend for clubs in the West Midlands.

Saturday saw the start of three new managerial reigns, while Birmingham City played their first competitive match since their Tom Brady-backed takeover was approved.

However, there were just two competitive wins for West Midlands sides, alongside a pair of friendly wins for Aston Villa and Wolves as they continued their preparations for the new Premier League season.

Birmingham City kicked off their new era with an away draw against Michael Duff’s Swansea City. Debutant Siriki Dembele gave Blues the lead on the stroke of half-time before Jerry Yates secured a point for The Swans.

Mark Robins' Coventry City bounced back from their Play-Off final defeat with a strong showing against Leicester City. The Sky Blues led the game until a late double salvo from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall secured a late win for The Foxes.

Stoke City looked to put some of the demons of last season behind them with a demolition of 10-man Rotherham United. Ki-Jana Hoever scored a wonderful goal on five minutes, before a double from new signing Andre Vidigal gave them a comfortable lead at half-time. Lee Peltier did get one back for The Millers, but a fourth Potters goal from Jacob Brown capped off a comfortable win just before full-time.

A quickfire double from Blackburn Rovers denied West Bromwich Albion a winning start to the season, with Dilan Markanday and Harry Leonard netting within two minutes of each other to sink Baggies hearts. Matt Phillips did get one back just after half-time, but they were unable to find the leveller.

In League One, Andy Crosby’s reign as Port Vale manager got off to a nightmare start as The Valiants were thumped 7-0 by Barnsley. A Devante Cole hat-trick was added to by goals from Liam Kitching, Jon Russel, Andy Dallas and an own goal to cap off a miserable start to the season for Vale.

Elsewhere, Matty Taylor grabbed a win in his first game as Shrewsbury Town manager. A 50th-minute goal from Ryan Bowman was enough to claim a narrow win over Cheltenham Town.

In League Two, Walsall fell to a late defeat away to Morecambe in Mat Sadler’s first game in permanent charge. Adam Mayor gave the hosts the lead before the returning Danny Johnson levelled for The Saddlers. However, Farrend Rawson scored in injury time to condemn The Saddlers to defeat.

Wolves and Aston Villa also ended their pre-season schedules on a high, beating Stade Rennais and Valencia respectively. Both sides begin their Premier League campaigns this week.