Ronny Deila says 'the bottom is reached' for Atlanta United. Is he right? | OneFootball

It says something about Ronny Deila's skills as a motivator that he comes across as eminently likable even after consecutive 3-0 defeats, which is exactly the situation his Atlanta United side finds himself in following a dud of a performance at Orlando City SC.

"It’s not as good as we can be, we have shown that earlier in the season," Deila said. "I think the bottom is reached in a way. Now it’s about how we can turn this around. Then we learn more about ourselves and about each other as a group. Then we will come stronger from it. That I’m sure."

Deila has achieved success in multiple competitions, including previously in MLS when he won the 2021 MLS Cup with New York City FC. So his perspective carries some credibility.

Even so, other factors beyond his immediate influence suggest it's possible it could still get worse before it gets better.

Why it still might get worse

Maybe the most alarming one is that Atlanta did not make any squad reinforcements at the end of the primary transfer window, even though there was obvious room for supplemental additions at defensive midfield, center back or goalkeeper.

Those positions where it's possible to find usable pieces within the league, rather than on the international market, where it's easier to make additions during the summer.

And it's also pretty unclear just who might be a credible dressing room leader in this group. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan filled that role for many years, but at this point in his career, it feels like his play is too spotty to command the same authority.

Miguel Almiron has never been that kind of demonstrative vocal presence -- despite a well-established work ethic -- and while Alexey Miranchuk might have that kind of potential, on the field he appears to be the square peg in the round hole of Deila's preferred 4-2-3-1 setup.

Why it might get better

That said, the case for Atlanta likely improving on their early season results is also based on some sound logic.

For starters, there's Deila, who also managed to navigate through an inconsistent -- though not as poor -- start to his time in his first full season at New York City FC. The current front office led by Garth Lagerwey and Chris Henderson also have plenty of experience and are unlikely to overreact -- though you could potentially argue they haven't shown enough urgency so far.

Then there are the analytic numbers that suggest although Atlanta has been mediocre, they're better than their results. Their -1.5 expected goal (xG) difference, per Opta, is well above their actual difference of -8. Entering Sunday, they were the third-biggest underperformers in the MLS relative to expected goals.