The West Ham Breakdown

Jack Elderton

A weekly podcast exploring the tactics and data behind every West Ham match. Featuring Jack Elderton and Callum Goodall. Brought to you by Analytics United.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Can West Ham Still Survive?

    Support the show and get more from Analytics United: https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited Jack and Darcy break down West Ham's 3-0 loss to Brentford, discussing the front two of Pablo and Taty, counterpressing, the risks that come with it and the challenges that come after going behind to a team like Brentford. They talk what changed between the first and second halves to effect the game so much, Soucek's movement and passing and where an awful weekend of results leaves West Ham in the fight for survival. Timestamps: (00:00) Our reaction to an awful weekend of Premier League results (05:06) How the referee's performance affected the game (18:18) Can West Ham still escape relegation? (22:46) Why our pressing and counter-pressing worked initially (25:15) Pablo and Castellanos: Have they been good enough? (37:00) Tomáš Souček's importance to West Ham (40:06) Pushing further forward to help Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville create (44:48) What went wrong in the second half? (49:53) Substitutions and their impact (or lack thereof) (54:24) Why changing the shape didn't work Please do leave us a review and subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/analyticsunited You can follow the pod (and our other work) on Twitter: Main: @AnalyticsUtd_ Jack: @jackelderton Cal: @WHU_Analytic Darcy: @futpysche Charlie: @ATopLad Theme music: "Emotional Chill Electronic Vlog Music | Sunset" by Alex-Productions (https://onsound.eu/) Promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1hr 4min
  2. 14 APR

    Strikers, Steel and Survival

    Join our Patreon today to get 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH and support Analytics United: https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited West Ham just defeated Wolves 4-0 under the lights at the London Stadium, and suddenly, the mission that once felt impossible is now very much on. Jack Elderton and Cal Goodall are back to break down a massive Friday night win that has finally lifted the Hammers out of the relegation zone while forcing Spurs into deeper waters. The episode explores how Nuno’s side weathered a tricky opening 30 minutes where Wolves' aggressive press and before half-time tactical adaptations neutralised Wolves' central overload and sparked the counter-attacks that led to a dominant display. They also discuss the return of West Ham’s aerial threat, with Konstantinos Mavropanos causing chaos in the box from set-pieces. Jack and Cal also talk the new striking partnership of Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe, their tireless defensive recovery runs and high-energy pressing allowing creative players like Jarrod Bowen more freedom to exploit 1v1 situations. Please do leave us a review and subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. You can follow the pod (and our other work) on Twitter: Main: @AnalyticsUtd_ Jack: @jackelderton Cal: @WHU_Analytic Darcy: @futpysche Charlie: @ATopLad Theme music: "Emotional Chill Electronic Vlog Music | Sunset" by Alex-Productions (https://onsound.eu/) Promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_U Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    54 min
  3. 8 APR

    Dial-Up Decision Making

    Support the podcast and get TWHB Extra Time + much more here: https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited Jack and Cal break down West Ham's FA Cup Quarter Final loss to Leeds United at the London Stadium, discussing a valiant comeback that saw the Hammers recover from 2-0 down in stoppage time taking the Yorkshire side to penalties before ultimately missing out on a trip to Wembley. They dive into a difficult first half where individual errors and poor performances from the young midfield pairing Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa allowed Leeds to take control. They analyse the tactical struggle of Nuno's decision to push Mateus Fernandes into a more advanced role and why he's more effective in a deeper distributor role. They talk how half-time tactical shifts sparked a second-half revival, touch on the emotional debut of Finlay Herrick, the impact of senior players like Tomáš Souček and Pablo had on the game and the silver lining of a cleared schedule as the squad prepares for a Premier League relegation dogfight. Please do leave us a review and subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. You can follow the pod (and our other work) on Twitter: Main: @AnalyticsUtd_ Jack: @jackelderton Cal: @WHU_Analytic Darcy: @futpysche Charlie: @ATopLad Theme music: "Emotional Chill Electronic Vlog Music | Sunset" by Alex-Productions (https://onsound.eu/) Promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_U Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1hr 3min
  4. 24 MAR

    All Gone to Potts

    Jack Elderton and Cal Goodall break down West Ham 0-2 Aston Villa, discussing the pre-match Todibo injury and it's impact on the team, why the 4-1-4-1 system failed, individual errors at Villa Park and much more. Support the podcast and get TWHB Extra Time + much more here: https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited While a 2-0 defeat in the thick of a Premier League relegation battle is hard to swallow, especially after the recent upturn in form, Jack and Cal discuss the encouraging strides made in our in-possession play and the high-quality situations created in the final third. They break down the schoolboy errors that led to John McGinn and Ollie Watkins’ goals, the immense burden Nuno Espírito Santo’s system placed on Freddie Potts and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Adama Traoré’s positive second-half cameo and much more.   Timestamps: (00:00) Villa 2-0 West Ham Review: Performance vs result? (06:10) – Tactical Shift: Todibo injury & the 4-1-4-1 failure (12:30) Decision-Making Overloads: Potts & Wan-Bissaka’s impossible task (15:42) Individual Errors: How Watkins was allowed to score (19:28) Set-Piece Madness: The NFL-ization of blocking (25:41) Adama Arrives: Traoré’s sets the bar for himself (27:27) Spurs Struggles: Tottenham get demolished by Forest (28:56) The 23-Minute Mess: Why the 4-4-2 delay? (35:44) Pablo Felipe: Why moving him centrally was vital (41:52) Out of Possession: Adaptability vs Stability (53:25) Sustaining Momentum: Refinding form after a big loss Please do leave us a review and subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. You can follow the pod (and our other work) on Twitter: Main: @AnalyticsUtd_ Jack: @jackelderton Cal: @WHU_Analytic Darcy: @futpysche Charlie: @ATopLad Theme music: "Emotional Chill Electronic Vlog Music | Sunset" by Alex-Productions (https://onsound.eu/) Promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1hr 4min
  5. 17 MAR

    Viva La Great Escape!

    Support the show and get more from Analytics United: https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited The Great Escape is well and truly alive as West Ham United earned a massive point in a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Manchester City, with Jack and Darcy here to break down exactly how Nuno and the Hammers pulled it off. In this episode of The West Ham Breakdown, we dive into the tactical changes that saw West Ham switch to a back five to neutralise Pep Guardiola’s attacking threats. We discuss how the art of defending the box is changing and where Konstantinos Mavropanos and Jean-Clair Todibo used physical blocking and aggressive contact to frustrate Erling Haaland throughout the match. We discuss the Summerville-sized hole left in West Ham's counter-attack, how Pablo stepped up in a hybrid role to balance the midfield and look at the massive impact of summer signings Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa, whose recovery pace and physicality provided a level of protection the squad has lacked in previous seasons. Please do leave us a review and subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/analyticsunited You can follow the pod (and our other work) on Twitter: Main: @AnalyticsUtd_ Jack: @jackelderton Cal: @WHU_Analytic Darcy: @futpysche Charlie: @ATopLad Theme music: "Emotional Chill Electronic Vlog Music | Sunset" by Alex-Productions (https://onsound.eu/) Promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    59 min
  6. 11 MAR

    Why We're Starting To Believe

    Support the show and get more from Analytics United: https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited With West Ham United are looking unrecognisable compared to the first half of the season, Jack and Darcy dive into a packed episode of The West Ham Breakdown to cover a vital triple-header. We discuss the huge FA Cup win against Brentford, the crucial 3 points vs Fulham in the Premier League and the recent test against Liverpool at Anfield. In this episode, we break down why West Ham's tactical improvements are finally showing in our league form and whether this momentum is enough to survive the relegation battle. We also compare our current form against rivals like Tottenham and look ahead to the remaining Premier League fixtures. With only two defeats in the last 11 games, the Hammers are in their best run of form since 2023. While the result at Anfield was disappointing, the overall performance levels remain high as the team fights to climb out of the drop zone. Jack and Darcy discuss why the mood at the London Stadium has shifted from hopelessness to positivity and how the squad has built newfound resilience. Please do leave us a review and subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/analyticsunited You can follow the pod (and our other work) on Twitter: Main: @AnalyticsUtd_ Jack: @jackelderton Cal: @WHU_Analytic Darcy: @futpysche Charlie: @ATopLad Theme music: "Emotional Chill Electronic Vlog Music | Sunset" by Alex-Productions (https://onsound.eu/) Promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    57 min

About

A weekly podcast exploring the tactics and data behind every West Ham match. Featuring Jack Elderton and Callum Goodall. Brought to you by Analytics United.

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