How the last 5 permanent managers fared after their first four league games in charge?

With it being the international break and our new manager has been in the job for nearly 3 months, I thought it would be interesting to look at the last five permanent managers and how they fared in their first four games in the league.

The last 5 permanent managers

Chris Powell

The club appointed Chris in September 2014, following Mark Robins departure after 1 game into the 14/15 season, as Town were humiliated 4-0 by Bournemouth. Powell faced Middlesbrough (who finished 12th the prior season, home), Wigan Athletic (5th, home), Leeds United (15th, away) and Millwall (19th, home) in his opening four games in charge. Powell narrowly lost 2-1 in his first game against the ‘Boro, before drawing with Wigan, then losing to Leeds then beating Millwall 2-1.

To try and keep the comparison as fair as possible I am taking the previous season’s finishing position as the difficulty of the team. With Relegated sides being 1-3 and promoted sides being 22-24 or 18-20 in Jan Siewert’s case.

Points: 4

Average Position of Opponent: 12.25

Home Games: 3

Goals Scored: 4

Goals Conceded: 7

David Wagner

An unknown German-American manager arrived in Huddersfield in November 2015 after previously leaving his post as manager of Borussia Dortmund II. Wagner faced Sheffield Wednesday (13th, away), Middlesbrough (4th, home), Birmingham City (10th, away) and Bristol City (22nd – they won league 1, home). Wagner got off to a rocky start losing both his opening two games before beating Birmingham courtesy of Joe Lolley and Nakhi Wells. Town then lost away at newly promoted side Bristol City.

Points: 3

Average Position of Opponent: 12.25

Home Games: 2

Goals Scored: 4

Goals Conceded: 7

Jan Siewert

A manager who I personally felt was in an impossible job, a difficult start that set up the rest of his Town career. Jan faced Everton (8th, home), Chelsea (5th, away), Arsenal (6th, home) and Newcastle United (10th, away) in his opening games. Siewert lost all 4 of his opening games, although he had a squad that had already given up and was against 4 good sides. With the only goal in those opening four games being scored by none other than Karlan Grant. His first and only win came in his fifth game in charge against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Points: 0

Average Position of Opponent: 7.25/20, 8.7/24

Home Games: 2

Goals Scored: 1

Goals Conceded: 10

Danny Cowley

After Town were on one point after six games, the arrival of the Cowley brothers was a welcome decision. Although being only 41, the brothers were very experienced, with Danny having managed over 600 games upon his arrival in West Yorkshire. They were instantly thrown in the deep end, facing Yorkshire neighbours Sheffield Wednesday (12th, home) before facing promotion favourites West Brom (4th, Away), then Millwall (21st, Home) and Stoke City (16th, Away). The Cowleys had a turbulent start, losing both their opening two games, conceding 6 goals in the process. Things changed after a draw with Millwall (1-1) before Juninho Bacuna scored an 82’ winner at Stoke (0-1).

Points: 4

Average Position of Opponent: 13.25

Home Games: 2

Goals Scored: 4

Goals Conceded: 7

Carlos Corberan

A product of the Marcelo Bielsa coaching school, Carlos Corberan has been in charge for nearly 3 months yet has only managed 4 league games. Facing Norwich (3rd - 20th in Premier League, Home), Brentford (3rd, Away), Nottingham Forest (7th, Home) and Rotherham United (23rd - 2nd in League One, Away). Town lost both their opening games under their new Spanish coach before beating last season’s play-off bottlers Nottingham Forest and drawing with newly promoted Rotherham United.

Points: 4

Average Position of Opponent: 9.25

Home Games: 2

Goals Scored: 2

Goals Conceded: 5

Stat Comparison

How does Carlos' start compare?

While it has been said that Town’s start to the season has been poor, with Town only scoring 2 goals, it should be noted the difficulty of opponent. Only Jan Siewert had a more difficult start - based on the teams he faced finishing position the previous season. Although Town scored the second least amount of goals under him, every other team conceded at least 7 goals in their opening four games, whereas under Corberan, Town only conceded 5. With Town winning 4 points from their first 4 games, Carlos equalled 2 of Town's previous managers' points hauls of 4 points.
I think when you look at the level opponent that Town have faced in their opening four games under Carlos, to get 4 points while, shipping only 5 goals is not a bad return especially considering that our leading goal threat was not available and our record signing is sat out injured.
I have said in one of my match reports, that this year is a changeover year, as many player contracts are up for expiry, come the end of the season. I still stand by that, and the game against Rotherham further confirmed this. I don't think this should stop Town from pushing on from this start and aiming for a mid-table finish.