- May 5, 2004
- 24,182
- 48,812
The interesting thing in the press undoubtably being more efficient this year is that by and large it is the same team. Yes, Aldwiereld has made a huge difference, and the CM combination is different, but equally inexperienced as last sason, and Son has only played a few games.
I can't count the amount of times I heard pundits saying that the squad Poch inherited wasn't suited to his high tempo pressing game, and he needed to bring "his own players" in. But if you look at our most played XI this season - Lloris, Walker, Rose, Alderwiereld, Verts, Rose, Dier, Alli, Dembele, Eriksen, Lamela, Kane. That's only three players bought in since he's been at the club.
Just goes to show that the hard work on the training pitch and gaining the trust of the players to help create a new culture at the club pays off, and not everything is about the transfer window.
And of course it takes time. It was always going to be hard to get the team moving as one after one pre-season full of travel and a season full of Europa League mid-week matches and travel.
I can't count the amount of times I heard pundits saying that the squad Poch inherited wasn't suited to his high tempo pressing game, and he needed to bring "his own players" in. But if you look at our most played XI this season - Lloris, Walker, Rose, Alderwiereld, Verts, Rose, Dier, Alli, Dembele, Eriksen, Lamela, Kane. That's only three players bought in since he's been at the club.
Just goes to show that the hard work on the training pitch and gaining the trust of the players to help create a new culture at the club pays off, and not everything is about the transfer window.
And of course it takes time. It was always going to be hard to get the team moving as one after one pre-season full of travel and a season full of Europa League mid-week matches and travel.