Episodes

  • #105 The Survival Signal

    #105 The Survival Signal
    Jan 27 2026
    This week on The West Ham Breakdown, Jack and Darcy dive into a vital Premier League victory that has the London Stadium dreaming of safety. Following back-to-back wins for West Ham, we ask the big question: is the great escape officially on and who can we actually catch in the table? Jack and Darcy provide a tactical breakdown of how the goals happened and debate whether this result was down to Hammers’ brilliance or Sunderland’s poor form. We deep dive into the stats, looking at our 74% dominance in ground duels and why our wingers—Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen—completely won the battle out wide compared to the previous fixture. We also explore the growing on-pitch relationships transforming our season, from the Ollie Scarles and Summerville combination to the clinical partnership between Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos. Finally, we look at game management—how did we handle the lead from the bench and what does the squad need in the final week of the transfer window to stay in control? Timestamps: (00:00) West Ham 3-1 Sunderland: Match Review (05:43) The Great Escape: Is it actually on? (13:25) Breaking down West Ham’s goals from Summerville and Fernandes (18:04) Sunderland’s Consolation Goal: Where the defence failed and Todibo's positioning (20:56) Were West Ham great or were Sunderland just poor? (28:43) The tactical relationships being built out wide (30:48) The evolution of Ollie Scarles (35:34) The New Front Two: Evaluating the Pablo and Taty Castellanos partnership (42:46) Managing Game States: Stability vs. Chaos when holding a lead (48:19) Analysing the second-half subs: How Callum Wilson affects the press? (51:49) Transfer Priorities: What West Ham needs this January (52:46) What's Freddie Potts' future now Guido Rodriguez has left? (54:43) The Paquetá Question: Is the team actually better without him? 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
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • #104 Dr. Tottenham's Miracle Cure

    #104 Dr. Tottenham's Miracle Cure
    Jan 20 2026
    West Ham finally won in the Premier League! This week on The West Ham Breakdown, Jack and Cal celebrate a massive away victory against Tottenham Hotspur. After a prolonged period of struggle, the Hammers turned a corner in North London scoring in the stoppage time to sink Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Jack and Cal take a look at the stark contrast between the two halves, discussing how West Ham didn't just compete but actually dominated the first 45 minutes. The tactical deep dive focuses on the return of the 4-4-2, exploring how Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe performed diligently out of possession to stifle Spurs. They also talk Summerville’s sensational showing and defensive work rate, Pablo's impact on second balls, how Soucek and Fernandes dominated Tottenham's midfielders and much more. Timestamps: (00:00) West Ham's Massive Win at Spurs: Initial Reactions (02:56) Just how bad were Spurs? (07:25) What exactly were Xavi Simons & Conor Gallagher doing? (14:00) Just how good were West Ham's midfield? (15:12) Pablo Felipe's Impact: Physicality & battling Cristian Romero (20:21) Tactical Masterclass: Why West Ham dominated the first half (23:52) 4-4-2 is Back: How we neutralised the Spurs 3-2-5 shape (26:36) Crysencio Summerville & Jarrod Bowen’s defensive shifts (33:47) The Second Half: How the Hammers dug in to secure 3 points (43:39) Konstantinos Mavropanos: The Greek colossus (45:16) The importance of Tomáš Souček's performance (48:30) The impact Nuno's substitutions made 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
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • #103 The Paqueta Paradox

    #103 The Paqueta Paradox
    Jan 13 2026
    West Ham have finally get back to winning ways against QPR in the FA Cup, but the victory has been overshadowed by the €35 million transfer bid from Flamengo for Lucas Paquetá. This week on The West Ham Breakdown, Jack and Cal navigate the bittersweet aftermath of a cup win and the impossible choice facing the West Ham board: do you cash in on an talisman who wants a move back to Brazil, or is sanctioning his departure now tantamount to accepting relegation from the Premier League. They also break down the QPR match, analysing the shift to a 4-4-2 and how a front line featuring Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe changed the dynamic and discussing what lessons Nuno Espírito Santo could bring into games against Premier League opposition. Plus, a deep dive into the underlying data of our midfield and defence—comparing West Ham’s central hubs to our direct relegation rivals to just how our squad stacks up against our opposition. We wrap up by looking at the January transfer window and whether the club should be recruiting for a survival fight or for life in the Championship. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (03:00) Lucas Paquetá: The Flamengo bid and the player’s motivatio (12:31) Does selling Paquetá mean West Ham are accepting relegation? (22:47) West Ham 2-1 QPR Match Review (28:03) Switching to a 4-4-2: Pros and Cons (31:38) Midfield struggles: Finding the right combination (34:54) Winning Gamestate: West Ham's chronic lack of control when ahead (37:57) Data Dive: How do West Ham compare to the other relegation candidates? (45:50) West Ham's midfield vs other bottom six midfielders 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
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    1 hr
  • #102 Reforestation

    #102 Reforestation
    Jan 8 2026
    Is the drop inevitable or can West Ham find a route to survival? This week on The West Ham Breakdown, Jack, Cal, and Darcy navigate one of the most dejecting weeks in recent memory. They pick through a bruising encounter with Nottingham Forest, discussing the good, the bad and ugly from the London Stadium including the officiating decisions that went against the Hammers, what worked tactically against the Reds and what didn't and the impact of Nuno's substitutions. They also take a deep dive into the underlying numbers behind Jarrod Bowen’s season, exploring why West Ham's reliance on him has become a double-edged sword as his creative output halves, they discuss the unbalanced nature of the current squad, questioning which players truly fit Nuno’s system and highlighting the surprising bright spots from the Academy of Football. Plus, we reflect on the tactical no-show against Wolves and the brilliance of Mateus Mané. Timestamps:(00:00) Intro: A horrendous week in West Ham(08:59) Is survival still possible?(12:57) The Forest Review: Tactical shifts & VAR controversy(18:58) New Signings: First impressions of Pablo Felipe & Taty Castellanos(23:56) Breaking down the positive first half from the Forest loss(28:48) The Forest second half: The tactics, the goals and the emotions(42:25) The reliance on Jarrod Bowen: A double-edged sword(49:12) The Wolves Review: Why did we fail to turn up? 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_Analytics 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
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    59 mins
  • #101 Nuno: Stick or Twist?

    #101 Nuno: Stick or Twist?
    Jan 2 2026
    Are we seeing progress under Nuno, or is the eight-game winless run a sign of deeper issues? This week on The West Ham Breakdown, Jack and Darcy dive deep into tactical shifts, youth integration, and ask the ultimate question regarding Nuno: Stick or Twist? We break down the Brighton stalemate, how Paquetá’s move to the left unlocks Jarrod Bowen's potential, and analyze another frustratingly late collapse against Fulham. Why are we struggling to see games out, and is it a personnel issue or a game management flaw? Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(01:48) Nuno's Report Card: Stick or Twist?(19:11) West Ham 2-2 Brighton Review: Paqueta's Gravity & Tactics(44:39) West Ham 0-1 Fulham Analysis: Why do we collapse late? 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_Analytics 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
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    59 mins
  • #100 The Ghost of Relegation Yet to Come

    #100 The Ghost of Relegation Yet to Come
    Dec 23 2025
    Jack and Cal break down Manchester City 3-0 West Ham, discussing a sobering afternoon in the Premier League following another defeat for Nuno's side and Leeds getting a surprise win against Crystal Palace at Elland Road. They dissect all the goals from the Etihad, talking the individual errors and tactical lapses that led to Erling Haaland’s brace and Tijjani Reijnders' strike, questioning why the Hammers got exposed and why the substitutions failed to turn the tide. Jack and Cal also debate the 4-3-3 shape, whether it’s time to flatten the midfield to provide better defensive width and the lack of support Oliver Scarles upon his return against Rayan Cherki. They also take at Crysencio Summerville and Freddie Potts impact and performances before finishing with a look at the chronic lack of xG creation. With all the goal-scoring pressure on Bowen and questions mounting over bench usage and the absence of younger talents, they ask the big question: how do you fix West Ham? 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_Analytics 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
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • #99 Good Performance, No Points: Why?

    #99 Good Performance, No Points: Why?
    Dec 16 2025
    Unearth the hidden gems of the beer world and claim your free case here: www.beer52.com/ANALYTICS Cal and Darcy break down West Ham's 2-3 loss against Aston Villa in the Premier League, discussing the frustrating reality that a decent Hammers performance once again failed to yield deserved points. We analyse Nuno Espírito Santo's tactical shifts, starting with a narrow 4-3-3 to the subsequent 4-1-4-1 out of possession adjustment and debating whether his plan to protect the centre and maintain transitional threat ultimately invited the late pressure that cost the game. Finally, we discuss Nuno's tenure so far given his less than ideal points per game in comparison to his predecessors Graham Potter and Julen Lopetegui, asking whether this matches the eye-test how serious the relegation threat is with the team just three points off safety. Note: Unfortunately, Cal's audio file was corrupted while exporting. We've done our best to clean it up, although some minor audio glitches may still remain. 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_Analytics 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
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    1 hr
  • #98 Why West Ham Keep Conceding Late Goals

    #98 Why West Ham Keep Conceding Late Goals
    Dec 9 2025
    Unearth the hidden gems of the beer world and claim your free case here: www.beer52.com/ANALYTICS Cal Goodall and Darcy Cox break down West Ham's recent Premier League fixtures against Manchester United and Brighton, both of which ended in 1-1 draws Nuno Espírito Santo's side. They discuss the tactical switch to a back five against Brighton, analysing how Nuno sought to protect the centre force the Seagulls wide and encourage transition play - spearheaded by Lucas Paquetá, Jarrod Bowen, and Crysencio Summerville. They debate Brighton's controversial goal and shout out Ezra Mayers' senior debut. Cal and Darcy also discuss West Ham's performance at Old Trafford, one of the better showings this season, focusing on the attacking dynamic on the right side and the possibility of Bowen at #10. They dissect the defensive dynamics that allowed United into the game and assess the impressive emergence of Soungoutou Magassa. Finally, they tackle the recurring issue of managing the final 15-20 minutes in both matches. Did Nuno's late changes concede too much pressure or was it a necessity due to fitness? They evaluate whether or not sitting deep and parking the bus is still viable in the modern Premier League. Note: Unfortunately, Cal's audio file was corrupted while exporting. We've done our best to clean it up so you can fully enjoy the classic Cal tones, although some audio glitches may still remain. 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_Analytics 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
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    1 hr and 1 min