We’ve reached the final chapter of our Premier League report card series. Our last four clubs include one relegated side, one mid-table survivor, one major disappointment, and one club whose European triumph saved an otherwise rocky season. Let’s break down Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Southampton — Grade: F

After 11 straight years in the Premier League, Southampton finally slipped through the trapdoor, and in truth, the warning lights had been flashing for a while.

The club’s heavy reliance on young signings, while admirable, left the squad without enough experience to handle relegation pressure. A difficult start under Ralph Hasenhüttl led to his dismissal, but replacing him with Nathan Jones proved disastrous. By the time Rubén Sellés took over, Saints were already running out of road.

They finished 20th, conceded 73 goals, and struggled badly for goals of their own. James Ward-Prowse fought until the final day, but the team around him lacked cohesion and stability.

Season summary: Managerial turmoil, defensive fragility, attacking inconsistencies.
Final verdict: A clear F, but a chance to rebuild with a reset in the Championship.

Tottenham Hotspur — Grade: C-

Spurs’ 2022/23 season can be summed up in one word: exhausting.

They started with optimism under Antonio Conte, picked up solid early results, and had Harry Kane delivering another elite season (30 Premier League goals). But the performances never convinced, the mood around the club grew increasingly tense, and Conte’s explosive departure in March triggered a chaotic finish.

Cristian Stellini lasted only four matches as caretaker before Ryan Mason stepped in, but by then Spurs’ hopes of European football were slipping away. They finished 8th, their lowest finish since 2008/09.

Still, individual positives existed, notably the consistency of Kane and the late improvement of players like Pedro Porro. But overall, this was an underwhelming and turbulent campaign for a club with far higher ambitions.

Season summary: Disjointed football, managerial drama, key players shining in spite of it all.
Final verdict: A season to forget, with a rebuild desperately needed.

West Ham United — Grade: B

In the Premier League alone, West Ham’s season looked bleak. They finished 14th, spent most of the year hovering above the relegation zone, and struggled to adapt to a squad overloaded by summer signings.

But then came Europe — and Europe changed everything.

David Moyes’ side stormed through the UEFA Europa Conference League, going unbeaten all competition long, and lifted their first major trophy in over 40 years on 7 June 2023. Declan Rice was immense, Lucas Paquetá found his rhythm in the second half of the season, and Jarrod Bowen provided the iconic final flourish in Prague.

If you’re grading only the league season, it’s a low mark. But factoring in a historic European triumph, something fans will remember forever, this is undeniably a successful campaign.

Season summary: Domestic struggles, continental glory.
Final verdict: A tale of two seasons, the trophy gives them a well-earned B.

Wolverhampton Wanderers — Grade: C

Wolves’ season was one of turbulence and steady recovery. A dreadful start under Bruno Lage saw them sitting bottom in October, scoring fewer goals than anyone in the league. The squad looked low on confidence, and relegation was a very real threat.

The appointment of Julen Lopetegui in November changed the trajectory. Wolves became organised, harder to break down, and more effective in key moments. The goals never exactly flowed, they finished as the joint-lowest scorers in the league, but the defensive structure improved significantly.

A strong run of home results in the spring secured a 13th-place finish, comfortably safe by May. It wasn’t glamorous, but survival after such a bad start counts as a respectable recovery.

Season summary: Early crisis, mid-season rebuild, comfortably safe by the end.
Final verdict: A middle-of-the-road grade for a season rescued by the new manager.