With the team now decided for the next few months, Coach Mauricio Pochettino is keen for Espanyol to quickly find normality to turn around their form.
The Catalans have lost their opening two games of the season, with the Coach more than once claiming that the ‘unresolved issues’ of which players were coming and going at the club was distracting.
With the transfer window now shut, the Coach has changed tact towards his men.
“It is important from now on to look normal. A win against Levante would provide more peace with which to work in during the next two weeks,” reflected the tactician, with the international break in mind.
“Levante are a tough opponent who knows how to exploit their footballers’ potential. Even so, we must start picking up points in the League.”
The Coach admitted that he regretted the departure of Alvaro Vazquez yesterday evening.
“There are circumstances like this and we have to overcome them. We must look forward and unite the group with the stability that the transfer market is now closed.
“The plan was to work with three strikers, [Christian] Stuani, [Samuele] Longo and mostly with Alvaro. Once he left, it was virtually impossible to find another option.
“Stuani and Longo are currently at a different level to that which the rest of the group has been training at. But, we have to live with that and get everyone level as soon as possible.
“We will have two weeks to work on that.”
Pochettino held talks with Sampdoria during the summer over a potential move, but decided to remain with Espanyol, despite the limited budget he knew he would be working with again.
“The results will tell you whether the team is better or worse. What is clear is that it is needless to say that in three years we have decreased our financial budget and that our staffing is now done on less money.
“But I agree with the final team we have, and despite the lack of cohesion, we need to provide a good performance.
“Stability and tranquillity must reign from now on, then the good results will come.”
