It is arguable that those "improved" have simply played more, and improvement is an illusory effect of that. Most were previously understudies and so have simply emerged from the shadows of their more illustrious, long-sold predecessors.
What is clear is that too many players have gone backwards under Puel's stewardship.
Both have gone backwards and disappointed. Both have good potential in the right environment. I'd like to see both stay (think they will) and push on but I m not sure that's going to happen with Puel and Black in charge.
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Essential departures: Puel, Long, JRod, Forster, Martina
Maybe - Boufal, Hoj
Departures forced upon us: VVD, Tadic, er that's about it...the gravy train is juddering to a halt.
I think the Cup Final may have, curiously, only served to hasten Claude Puel's demise, rather than bought him time or goodwill. This is because it showed just how well the team can play when motivated, despite their collective limitations. In doing so it served to underline how Puel fails to inspire motivation and respect in run of the mill games.
Crikey, who wants Monk? No thanks. Sure, Pochettino to Puel, via Koeman, is a steep gradient downwards but we don't want to go off the proverbial cliff!