The West Ham Breakdown

By 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.... more

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FAQs about The West Ham Breakdown:

How many episodes does The West Ham Breakdown have?

The podcast currently has 104 episodes available.

The West Ham Breakdown episodes:

January 20, 2026 #104 Dr. Tottenham's Miracle Cure
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

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1h 1min
January 13, 2026 #103 The Paqueta Paradox
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
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Promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)
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1h
January 08, 2026 #102 Reforestation
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
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Promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)
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59min
January 02, 2026 #101 Nuno: Stick or Twist?
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
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Promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com
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59min
December 23, 2025 #100 The Ghost of Relegation Yet to Come
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
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Promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)
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1h 3min
December 16, 2025 #99 Good Performance, No Points: Why?
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
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Promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com
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1h
December 09, 2025 #98 Why West Ham Keep Conceding Late Goals
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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
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Promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)
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1h 2min
December 02, 2025 #97 What Is West Ham’s Strongest 11?
Cal Goodall and Darcy Cox break down West Ham 0-2 Liverpool, a game marred by a moment of madness on the pitch and heart-breaking news beforehand off it. They discuss Lucas Paquetá's red card for dissent and the ramification his sending off had on the game and team going forward, how Nuno Espírito Santo appraoached hosting Arne Slot's faltering Premier League Champions and much more. They also ask what West Ham's strongest 11 actually is given the return of Konstantinos Mavropanos from injury, Jarrod Bowen and Paquetá's current form, Soungoutou Magassa impact in midfield and more.
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
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Promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)
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58min
November 25, 2025 #96 Inevitability
Cal Goodall and Darcy Cox break down Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham, a frustrating result considering the Hammers were leading 0-2 at half time. They discuss whether they consider it a point gained or 2 lost, West Ham's second half substitutions and whether we brought the ensuing onslaught on ourselves, playing a back 4 vs back 5 under Nuno, what the long-term strategies look like after the last 3 games and much more.
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)
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59min
November 11, 2025 #95 Marvellous Mateus Conquers Clarets
Jack Elderton and Cal Goodall break down West Ham 3-2 Burnley, another vital 3 points for the Hammers' as the long wait for back to back Premier League wins finally ends after 9 long months. They analyse the game in detail, including the positives and negatives Nuno Espírito Santo's side displayed and whether West Ham walked away with all 3 points because of their own performance levels or Burnley's lack thereof. Jack and Cal discuss the midfield trio of Mateus Fernandes, Freddie Potts and Lucas Paquetá and the platform they've built, the lack of control West Ham actually had in the game and why it played out that way, if the inverted CB pairing of Maximilian Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo worked well for a second game in a row, the substitute switch to a 5-4-1, what worked and what didn't, whether this run of wins is sustainable and much more.
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
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Promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)
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59min

FAQs about The West Ham Breakdown:

How many episodes does The West Ham Breakdown have?

The podcast currently has 104 episodes available.

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