Team Focus: Espanyol Benefitting from Aguirre's Direct Approach

At the end of November it wasn't just the weather that was beginning to look bleak in Barcelona, but Espanyol's hopes of staying in La Liga too. 13 games had been played in the league, from which Mauricio Pochettino’s men had managed just two wins, and following a 2-0 home defeat to Getafe newly elected president Joan Collet decided it was time for a change.

Pochettino was ushered to the door with former Atletico Madrid manager Javier Aguirre quickly introduced as the new boss at Cornella-El Prat. Sunday's 0-0 draw with Real Valladolid signalled his 13th game since taking the job - the same amount as his predecessor was afforded this season - and their respective results could not be more contrasting.

The Mexican began work with Espanyol bottom of the table with a meagre nine points. It took Aguirre just six games to double that tally and now Espanyol sit much more comfortably on 32 – equidistant between the relegation zone and European places, 9 points off each - having accelerated up the league table.

Los Periquitos have averaged 1.77 points per game since the 54-year-old arrived; over the course of 26 games this season only the top three average more. It's not particularly hard to see where Aguirre has sought improvement, with their home form significantly better and the inclusion of some of the club's more experienced players paying dividends.

In their first seven home games under Pochettino, Espanyol were beaten four times and conceded 13 goals – a rate of 1.86 per game. Under Aguirre they remain unbeaten at Cornella, winning five and drawing two, while only conceding six goals – a rate of 0.86 per game - and keeping four clean sheets in the process. But for Valladolid's resilience at the weekend they would have recorded a sixth consecutive home win.

It's that new-found solidity at the back which has been the catalyst for their U-turn in results. They now have a largely consistent back four of Javi Lopez, Diego Colotto, Hector Moreno and Joan Capdevilla, the latter being one of the experienced players who has been brought back into the side from relative exile under Pochettino. The 35-year-old World Cup winner is now a regular fixture at left-back; his performances against Deportivo la Coruna (7.44 WhoScored rating), Celta Vigo (7.25) and Zaragoza (8.19 and a Man of the Match award) epitomised how Espanyol have stabilised their fragile defence.

That back four - through luck rather than judgement perhaps - is now backed up by a goalkeeper seizing his chance to be No.1. Cristian Alvarez had been first choice, though an injury allowed Kiko Casilla the opportunity to stake his claim and he hasn't looked back since producing a heroic performance in the 2-2 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid in December.

The steel in defence has resulted in a more direct game plan, although the fans won't be concerned as long as the results remain positive. Pochettino's last home games were 0-3 and 0-2 defeats to Osasuna and Getafe and in both matches Espanyol dominated possession - 65% and 61% respectively. Aguirre's first win in December, against Deportivo (42%), immediately saw a change in style and the recent win over Real Betis (43%) confirmed the continuance of that trend.

Going forward, Espanyol only possess slightly more of a threat than they did under Pochettino - they have scored 18 goals under the Aguirre regime compared with 13 in the Argentine's reign this season. The main difference has, again, been the restoration of experience plus Aguirre's ability to draw out the sort of performances from Sergio Garcia that saw him named in Spain's Euro 2008 squad.

Garcia has scored four goals this season and every one of them has come under the management of the Mexican. The 29-year-old forward has been ably assisted by Simao; another who has also been brought in from the dark by Aguirre. Under Pochettino the Portuguese winger was restricted to just 192 minutes of action, which is strange considering he was only signed in the summer. He has featured in every game under Aguirre though, contributing three goals and one assist, including a wonderful free kick against Mallorca.

It's not been wholesale changes since the change in management though. Defensive midfielder Victor Sanchez and attacking midfielder Joan Verdu have remained consistent performers throughout the tenures of both managers.

The winter months may have promised bleakness for Espanyol, but they now find themselves heading into spring 13th in the table and just as likely to propel themselves into a battle for Europe as they are to be dragged into a relegation scrap.

Though not particularly exciting to watch, Aguirre has made them difficult to beat - in fact, only Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have enjoyed victories over them since his appointment - by using a consistent back four and restoring some much needed experience to the side. Match days are once again surrounded by an optimistic buzz as crowds on the outskirts of Barcelona creep back above 20,000