It's still early days under Pep and fortunately despite our poor run we're top of the league. Whether we lose to Barca midweek or not, we should still qualify. Monchengladbach are doing really poorly in the Bundesliga and we should beat them. Now is the time to try out different systems, to test players and tactics and for Pep to really scrutinise what works and what doesn't and try to find out his best 11 and best formations. A settled defence and settled 11 would no doubt see better results and overall performances. Injury issues in the new year have cost us before though and we've been stale and unable to perform at the level required. What Pep has already done, that Pellegrini didn't, is try younger players and mix up formations. He already has an idea of where our weaknesses are and can then address them. Better to do so now, while there is time to improve and recover, than in crucial games late in the season - or in knockout CL games.
Now we're out of the EFL cup we've one game fewer over the next few weeks/months which is important. In Jan/Feb those league cup games really do get in the way and the FA Cup is a much more important competition and one we need to be going for. Pellegrini would put full strength out in near enough all competitions, with some rotation, but use younger players very late on. Whilst he did introduce Nacho he did little else despite glaring weaknesses. If we've got injuries at centre back we know Kolarov can do a job there, maybe not the best job but he's capable enough. Pep's tested him. Clichy can play in a back three if required. Aleix Garcia is more than ready to step into the midfield. Similarly, Maffeo looks like our best right back on showings this season and can be relied upon.
All of the work we've done so far will result in improved results after Christmas and moving into next season under Pep. We need results to improve of course, but we're in great shape considering results haven't been good recently and Pep's got a much better idea of our strengths and weaknesses now. Playing the same 11 wouldn't have taught him enough about our side.