- Aug 25, 2011
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I actually felt quite despondent with Poch's first season. Was not sure where it was going.We need only 4 points from our remaining 5 games to match Poch's first season, which was also a transition year with a new manager implementing a new style of play. Our goal difference is currently 10 better, with 9 more goals scored so far, so we should be relatively content on that front too. If anything, Ange is doing better, because he inherited a team that finished 8th last season, while Poch inherited a team that had finished 6th.
We improved significantly in Poch's second & third seasons, as players adapted to the system and a the squad was bolstered with well-suited signings. I don't see why we can't do the same under Ange.
There were highs Chelsea 5-3 and Arsenal 2-1 but my word there was a lot of games where I couldn't see what Poch was doing.
The press drifted in and out. We kept struggling to beat crap teams.
It was nothing like his impact at Southampton which was almost instant - probably cause he had more coachable players there.
There was a little to go on for the following season but I wouldn't say it was anything to start to get excited about or even hopeful.
Also, the second season we didn't win any of our first 4 games and squeezed past a poor Sunderland 1-0.
I think the City game (4-1) was when we really started to see what we were capable of.
But compare that to Ange's first season and we have certainly seen a lot more evidence in his first year than Poch's