A coach stays under Levy's tenure, on the whole, for as long as they keep on performing.
All I would say with regards to the possibility of Poch to stay is that I think he has a good chance. The only way I can see him leaving is if the fans get on his back after some poor performances. I don't think Levy is expecting top 4. I think he is expecting progression in the way that we play and that a team is being built. However, if the fans turn on the team and Poch, then he will react as WHL is poisonous in that sort of environment.
I respect your opinion that we have gone backwards in terms of balance of squad, but I disagree. I disagree on the basis that our other striking options last year were Soldado and Ade who between them scored 3 goals and 2 assists in the EPL. My recent gambling history has not been great (I lost £50 on Berahino - you were right
@NaijaSpurs) but I would wager that N'Jie and Son would contribute more than Soldado and Ade did last year. So imho, an upgrade.
In terms of DM, well Stambouli was an option used last year. He played 18 games in total for a sum total of 964 minutes or an average of 54 minutes a game. We're obviously playing Dier in there at the moment and it is looking likely that that will be a better option in any case. Again an upgrade imho.
In defence, we have "replaced" Dier with Alderweireld (as Dier is playing in midfield). We have Wimmer instead of Kaboul. I would argue that, at worst, that is a staying the same type position.
Keepers are the same.
So that's why I think we are in a better position. We've lost the deadwood that were contributing very little. That deadwood was at best squad filler material.
I also think that in your analysis you are effectively saying that the youngsters that were part of the team will not have improved from a year's worth of EPL experience. I would argue that they have.
There is an argument that I think
@DubaiSpur mentioned which was that those around us have strengthened more. I can see why you would think that, but I don't think it is absolute fact.
I'm disappointed that we did not get a striker, but I don't think it is the end of the world that people are making out. I sitll think top 6 is a realistic possibility and I truly think to have expected any higher with a backup striker and DM is unfair. Someone has yet to prove to me why it is better to have Soldado as a backup than N'Jie or Son. Someone is also yet to prove to me why Dier is not a better option at DM than one of Bentaleb, Mason and Stambouli.