#136 Evaluating the Defence

Support the show and get more from Analytics United: https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited Cal and Jack break down Blackburn 2-1 West Ham, discussing the changes we've seen Scott Parker implement so far, how West Ham's performances have dipped since the last international break, how suitable the squad is for Parker's tactical ideas and much more. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:19) Blackburn 2-1 West Ham match review (09:16) What has Scott Parker changed so far? (16:35) West Ham's press and combinations needs to improve (24:47) How happy are we with what Parker wants to do? (33:23) The HOL HOG: Scott Parker (37:20) What happened to our performance levels? (44:17) Veltman vs Walker-Peters: Parker's choice (46:56) Mayers vs Morato vs Scarles vs Boiro (52:14) Who will be Parker's striker? (52:37) Austbo vs Solomon (55:50) Will Parker reintroduce a 6 into the set up? (57:13) Hermansen vs Areola 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

Support Analytics United and get the extended edition of the preview: https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited Darcy and Charlie break down everything you need to know about West Ham's next opponent, Blackburn Rovers. They discuss Rovers' struggles going forward despite having one of the better strikers in the league, the Hammers' academy graduates plying their trade at Ewood Park, their strength in the middle of the park and more. Timestamps: (00:00) Blackburn vs West Ham match preview (00:47) Thoughts on Scott Parker's appointmennt (01:38) What's changed at Blackburn? (04:14) Blackburn's injury list (05:21) Blackburn In Possession report (05:48) Possession (07:05) Progression (09:08) Box breaking & dribbling (10:19) Chance creation (10:42) Goalscoring (12:18) Blackburn Out of Possession report (12:38) Box defending & duels (15:52) Conceding chances (17:30) Key player: Sean McLoughlin (18:40) Key player: Kristi Montgomery (19:27) Key player: Andri Guðjohnsen (20:39) New signing: Jayden Fevrier (21:35) New signing: Gady Beyuku 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_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

Support the show and get more from Analytics United: https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited Darcy and Charlie break down West Ham 1-3 West Brom, discussing Nuno Espírito Santo's precarious position and the consistent problems plaguing the side, how West Ham's press compares to previous sides promoted automatically from the Championship, the need to find a better balance in midfield and much more. Timestamps: (00:00) West Ham 1-3 West Brom match review (00:51) Worst performances of the season so far? (10:44) Nuno under pressure: Is it time to change manager? (20:46) Pressing problems: Comparing West Ham's data to previous promotion winners (25:12) Why did the press go wrong vs West Brom? (36:43) Do West Ham HAVE to improve their press to gain automatic promotion? (42:03) West Ham's Midfield imbalance: Do West Ham have too many box to box players? (44:22) The reintroduction of Edson Álvarez or Soungoutou Magassa (48:13) Edvin Austbø vs Manor Solomon (50:28) The importance of the next 6 fixtures 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

Support Analytics United and get the extended edition of the preview: https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited Darcy and Charlie break down everything you need to know about West Ham's next opponent, West Brom. They discuss the big summer transition The Baggies went through under Head Coach and former player James Morrison, West Brom's glaring weakness from set-pieces, difficulty accessing the box and more. Timestamps: (00:00) West Ham vs West Brom match preview (00:30) How the loss to Southampton changes the preparation for West Brom (02:52) What's changed at West Brom? (07:42) West Brom In Possession report (08:41) Possession (09:49) Progression (11:23) Box breaking & dribbling (12:22) Chance creation (14:09) West Brom's Out of Possession report (15:12) Box defending & duels (17:16) Conceding chances (19:12) Key player: Callum Styles (20:10) Key player: Isaac Price (20:56) Key player: Max O'Leary (22:22) New signing: Jimmy-Jay Morgan (23:20) New signing: Felix Horn Myhre 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_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

Support the show and get more from Analytics United: https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited Cal and Darcy break down West Ham 2-3 Southampton, as Tonda Eckert's side delivered Nuno's their first loss in 10 leagues games. They discuss the changes the Hammers' made to their winning eleven against Swansea, whether West Ham should switch from Hermansen to Areola, if Bowen & co should be a pressing team and much more. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:33) Our reaction to the Southampton loss (07:52) Defensive approach: Swansea win vs Southampton loss (16:17) The most positive period of West Ham's performance (19:15) Why West Ham's press went so wrong (22:51) Hermansen vs Areola (27:22) Breaking down Southampton's goals (39:56) Should West Ham be a pressing team? (46:55) Is the issue Nuno or personnel? (53:21) Why the 3-5-2 didn't work 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

Support Analytics United and get the extended edition of the preview: https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited Darcy and Charlie break down everything you need to know about West Ham's next opponent, Southampton. They discuss what Tonda Eckert's side have gotten right since he took charge, the attacking duo driving the Saints' push for promotion, the out of possession problems Nuno Espírito Santo could exploit and much more. Timestamps: (00:00) West Ham vs Southampton match preview (00:31) How the win against Swansea changes the preparation for Southampton? (01:45) What's changed at Southampton? (04:45) Southampton In Possession report (05:21) Possession (06:48) Progression (09:15) Box breaking & dribbling (12:28) Southampton's Out of Possession report (13:25) Pressing (14:47) Box defending & duels (16:20) Conceding chances (18:29) Key players: Cyle Larin (19:40) Key players: Finn Azaz (20:40) Key players: Caspar Jander (21:42) New signing: Keven Schlotterbeck (22:34) New signing: James Ward-Prowse 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

Support the show and get more from Analytics United: https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited Cal and Darcy break down West Ham's win over top of the table Swansea, discussing if West Ham's defensive problems have been solved, why West Ham look more comfortable when they aren't forcing the issue, aesthetics vs results and much more. Timestamps: (00:00) Swansea 0-1 West Ham review & reaction (04:44) Why do West Ham look more comfortable when we aren't the ones forcing the issue (12:22) Are West Ham's defensive problems solved? (16:22) Find out more about Reuben's story & Anthony Nolan's work here: https://www.anthonynolan.org/help-save-a-life/patient-appeals/current-appeals/register4roo (18:14) Controlling the game vs playing the opposition (20:46) How West Ham played the opposition against Swansea (31:11) Should we be expecting more from West Ham? (42:17) Do West Ham need a set-piece coach? (48:54) Mohamadou Kanté's usefulness going forward Find out more about Reuben's story & Anthony Nolan's work here: https://www.anthonynolan.org/help-save-a-life/patient-appeals/current-appeals/register4roo 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

Support Analytics United and get the extended edition of the preview: https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited Darcy and Charlie break down everything you need to know about West Ham's next opponent, Swansea City. They discuss why how the Swans carried last season's form into a title charge, how Vítor Matos compares to his former boss Jurgen Klopp, the striker keeping Žan Vipotnik out of the side and much more. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (00:52) Long term takeaways (02:01) What has changed at Swansea City? (06:18) Swansea In Possession report (07:15) Possession (09:33) Box breaking & dribbling (10:09) Chance creation (12:27) Swansea Out of Possession report (13:20) Pressing (15:21) Box defending & duels (16:19) Conceding chances (17:27) Key player: Ben Cabango (18:28) Key player: Adam Idah (19:41) Key player: Jay Fulton (20:35) New signing: Elijah Just (21:46) New signing: Moussa Yeo 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

Support the show and get more from Analytics United: https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited Cal and Darcy break down West Ham 1-1 QPR, discussing what went wrong in the first half to give QPR control of the game, the difficulties starting with an extra midfielder instead over a second striker brought, the decision to award QPR's penalty, if we miss VAR and much more. Timestamps: (00:00) West Ham 1-1 QPR match revieww (01:55) What happened? (06:10) A moment for Pierce Charles (08:11) QPR's penalty & VAR (13:35) Should Tomáš Souček have started? (19:38) Why were West Ham so far off it in the first half? (20:04) In possession problems: Extra midfielder vs true second striker (33:18) Out of possession problems: Why QPR were on top early on (43:05) Why do West Ham keep switching to a 3-5-2? (52:02) How can we find the balance between attack and defence? 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

Find out more about our Stay Tuned fundraising campaign with CALM here: ⁠⁠https://www.justgiving.com/page/analytics-united-stay-tuned-2026 With Jack and Cal unavailable this week, Charlie joins Darcy to break don everything you need to know about West Ham's next opponents, QPR. They discuss why Julien Stéphan's side have started the season so well, the key players the Hammers will need to be wary of, the injury crisis currently running riot at Loftus Road and much more. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (00:35) Thoughts ahead of the QPR game (03:00) What has changed at QPR? (05:16) QPR In Possession report (06:14) Box breaking & dribbling (09:36) Chance creation (10:53) Goalscoring (14:20) QPR Out of Possession report (16:07) Box defending & duels (19:20) Conceding chances (20:18) Key player: Jimmy Dunne (21:39) Key player: Nicolas Madsen (22:46) Key player: Harvey Vale (23:21) New signing: Pierce Charles (24:17) New signing: Glen Kamara Support the show and get more from Analytics United: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/AnalyticsUnited⁠ 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