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Episode 014 - Chelsea Cross Over Episode!
16 Plays9 months ago
In this episode Tom and Jacob are joined by Jake and Matt from the Chelsea GSPN podcast to discuss the upcoming West Ham vs Chelsea fixture taking place at the London Stadium!
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Transcript
Introduction of Podcast and Guests
00:00:10
Jacob
Hi guys, back with another daily West Ham podcast. I'm joined with Tom as usual. Say hello, Tom.
00:00:18
officialgspn
Bye guys.
00:00:20
Jacob
And I'm also very happy to be joined with the two, two of the daily Chelsea podcast boys. We've got Jake and we've got Matt with us today.
00:00:32
Jake
i doing i
00:00:32
Matt
hello hello alert hello hello hello
00:00:35
Jacob
So um we're going to get into some questions.
Chelsea's Decision: Sterling vs. Sancho
00:00:39
Jacob
Basically, Tom, have you got a question you want to get into first?
00:00:42
officialgspn
Yeah, my first one is quite topical. It's been kind of a relatively hot ah discussion point when it comes to Chelsea. Jaden Sancho, it's a very interesting move.
00:00:55
officialgspn
What is the thought process you think from Chelsea's point of view with getting rid of Raheem Sterling and bringing in Jaden Sancho because it seems like they're quite similar profiles of player.
00:00:57
Jake
How you doing, guys?
00:00:59
Matt
Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello.
00:01:03
officialgspn
So yeah, I'm not i'm not really sure what the thinking is, but It does seem to have paid quite well because I know Sancho played pretty well in a couple of the games he has played.
00:01:14
Jake
Yeah, I think it comes from, um I mean, firstly, Sancho is younger. So, like, Sterling is is is approaching, if not, it already is 30, I think. um And I think Sancho obviously has that younger profile, which, you know, Charles is just typically go for younger players at the moment, that sort of strategy.
00:01:30
Jake
um But I just think in terms of output, um and firstly, I think the owners never really wanted to sign Raheem Sterling. I think Raheem Sterling was very much a sign in that came from Too Cool, like listening to Too Cool and trying to get a wing like that in. um So I don't know if the ownership have been massive fans of Sterling since the start, in my opinion.
00:01:48
Jake
um but his performances for us for the last couple of years are just not that good and I think we sort of saw the opportunity come up with Manchester United you know obviously you know it sort of came out that they were willing to accept you know sort of 20 to 30 million and yeah we were able to sort of deal with them and that obviously meant sort of
Sterling's Performance at Chelsea
00:02:07
Jake
meant I think it meant that Stirling was sort of you know being dropped from the squad already but once Sancho was coming in it was basically like we were able to get Stirling out the door
00:02:07
officialgspn
Thank you.
00:02:14
Jake
um And yeah, that's that's seemingly what happened. But I think yeah, just just basic points just like he's he's younger and I think probably he' He's probably gonna have a better output than what's learning how to what do you think man?
00:02:26
Matt
Yeah, I totally agree. I mean, I think we have to remember that Sterling has been with us for two seasons and he has been really, really disappointing. ah You know, some 50 million or maybe 45 million. And it was clear that he wanted to step up. He wanted a new challenge from Man City coming to Chelsea, would step up into this leadership role.
00:02:47
Matt
But there were so many times where Chelsea's back was against the wall and we really needed him to step up and shine a light. And he just didn't do it. There were so many times, you know, we got into great attacking positions in the box and he'd just slow it down or he'd make the wrong decision. And so... I think the board basically saw all of this and just got tired with it. um On top of that, when he brought the statement out before the Man City game, I think that's him just being really un-self-aware about his his position of being one of our highest paid players, or actually our highest paid player at the moment. so
Sancho's Potential at Chelsea
00:03:20
Matt
um being one of our older players that younger players will look to and just trying to make everything about him it's just really not the way to go about it um i think we've tried it with sterling we've been really patient and it's just not working and so even though on the surface sancho and selling may look similar because we're both on the left wing they're both quick they're both wingers I actually do think Sancho's a lot more technical than and Sterling. I think his touch, his movement, his his dribbling is actually far better than Sterling's. If we look back at some of Sancho's highlights um at Dortmund in the Champions League,
00:03:57
Matt
There were some of his dribbles where you almost looked like he was going to over dribble, but he was actually always in control of what he was doing and then would actually be able to turn a defender. And I actually think Sancho is the closest thing we've had to Hazard ever since Hazard left. So I'm really excited about it. And I actually think we've got a bargain for 20 mil.
00:04:20
officialgspn
Yeah, I think the price is good. It's just, I guess the main issue is how are you going to be able to get the Dortmund, Sancho? Because I think it's <unk>s obvious that there are different versions of Jaden Sancho. Sancho that isn't happy and isn't in favour. I don't think he's going to be as effective as someone who feels like he's got the backing and the support of his manager and his fans and the club generally. I feel like that's how you get the most out of him.
00:04:42
officialgspn
I guess that's my one worry is kind of an an outsider looking at Chelsea. I feel like it can be quite a volatile place sometimes for many people involved. So you go, yeah, it's all well and good while he's playing well. But what happens as soon as he starts to kind of he's formed dips a little bit. Are we going to see him kind of recess and become that player at United who was kind of in the kind of back of the squad because he he wasn't really favored and the fans weren't happy with him. And when he'd had such a positive spell at Dortmund, he kind of, he knows that he can do it, but because his performance is maybe out there for you United and the fans are there, you're just not able to get it out of him. So yeah, I guess that's kind of my one concern is can you get that Dortmund Sancho?
00:05:27
Matt
Yeah, I mean sort of there's definitely a risk with with him. Absolutely. And that's why I think we United were willing to to sell out such ah a cut price because they did buy him for 73 million. so That's a huge loss for them. But I think the fact that we've got Enzo Marusco, he signed a five year deal. He seems to be, you know, bought in with the board and what they want to do and to be on this, you know, ah longevity task at hand at the moment.
00:05:53
Matt
he's he definitely understands about what it means to you know put your arm around a player. I think he's actually got great man management. I think he's going to make Sancho feel loved and cared about. And there are particular players like that that do just need need that kind of treatment. They need that extra treatment to to be told they're wonderful all the time um for them to perform. And although that might be you know maybe a bit ah vacuous quite a bit of vanity and almost kid-like you know because these guys are adults um you know sometimes players are just like that and they get wrapped up into this world that is so hard to understand when we're on now outside
00:06:29
Matt
Um, I actually do think he will have some dips in form from time to time but I think what really matters then is that Enzo's right by behind him and Is still and and on top of that, you know, he's on huge huge wages at united and from reports. He's willing to cut them by about 150, maybe even 200 grand to come to Chelsea but on his weekly wage. And I think if he's willing to do that, he really buys into the project and buys into Chelsea. um You know, he said he was a Chelsea fan growing up, so I think that helps with everything, helps with the whole environment. So it's definitely a risk, but I think we'll get a lot more good moments rather than bad from him.
00:07:08
officialgspn
Yeah, definitely. I think especially for 20 mil, like the the financial risk is kind of mitigated quite heavily when you know you're signing someone that does have quality for 20 mil. I think that's...
00:07:19
Matt
Yeah.
00:07:19
officialgspn
On paper, it looks like a really good signing. It's just the worry that it's going to go sour is the one thing. ah Jacob, what about you what what questions do you have for the Chelsea guys? so
Chelsea's Squad Management Strategy
00:07:27
Jacob
Um, my main one was your, your guys thoughts on the, it's kind of expanding on the man management thing you brought up. Um, just be it seeing, um, what Mariska said about excluding certain players from the squads. You know, we had not really seen that sort of thing previously. Um, it, it felt very strange, you know, he's got, obviously got this massive squad. Um,
00:07:57
Jacob
didn't stop them bringing in more players and then seemingly axing certain faces you know that we're so used to seeing. I just want to know your guys' thoughts. Do you think they went about it the right way? Do you think um maybe it was a bit unfair?
00:08:15
Matt
Jake do you want to go for it?
00:08:16
Jake
um Yeah, i um yeah i think i think it was I think it's sort of fair. I think you've got to realise the strategy that we're going for. um And it's it's tough, certainly, on a lot of players, and I think it's the thing is, it's it's quite it's quite complicated when it comes to most of our players anyway.
00:08:41
Jake
um I think there's certain situations that just literally like, like there's one we were just speaking about like with Sterling and stuff like that, like, you know, the strategy to move him on, you know, even though they might be thinking about it anyway, you know, he sort of ducked himself the hole there, but obviously it affects players like, uh, Shaloba, like we really, we really didn't want to see him affected. And, you know, then that there is now a chance he might be reintegrated into the first team squad, but A lot of jealousy fans didn't feel right but about that in the summer. like We discussed that in our podcast, we've not discussed that many times about how we felt a bit sorry for some of the players at our club right now. um But I think a lot of it is necessary in terms of like building the squad that we want and I think now we've, in terms of the 25, 27 players that we look at as our as our squad,
00:09:29
Jake
I think now we've got really good depth in attack, we've got really good depth in midfield, we've got good depth in defense as well, plus we have players who you know who are of decent quality who we can call upon at some point again if we need to as well. You know that Chillwell sort of, he's got a squad number but he's not really involved, he's sort of been said he's not really going to be involved in the squad but if we really really bad, badly needed left back and we need to call upon Ben Chillwell it's not the worst thing in the world.
00:09:53
Jake
um But I do i do i think it's fair. i think I think it's fair in terms of where we want Chelsea to get to, but in terms of certain situations, it's obviously not not been the best for the players. And we've discussed that quite a lot. with I mean, what about you, Matt?
00:10:08
Matt
Yeah, I think this all of that outcasting it's purely a financial Uh decision is purely a financial motive in terms of what they're doing with that And particularly with sterling and cheer world. They're on massive wages sterling's on three to five a week cheer worlds on 200 a week Those are big big wages and it just doesn't fit in with the new structure within with the new boards in terms of their wage wage regime and You know, they they've I think they've changed it in the correct way because The problem is you do have these players on these massive wages with no incentives to play And they're still gonna get this massive pay packet. Whereas with parma and whatnot they're on about a third of the wage of sterling but he's incentivized because of
00:10:53
Matt
all the bonuses he could get by goals and assists. And that's best best for both worlds because the players want to play, they want to achieve on the pitch and that keeps the fans happy, that keeps the club happy because we're getting results. um And so the new models right. The one obviously for Chalaba is really gutting because again that's financially motivated motivated because He's homegrown, so it's just pure profit um if we do sell him. But I think he's the one player out of those three that was really outcasted um that we really need to keep. Other players like Broya, he's never going to get in the team. Lukaku, that was gosh, you know, if if what happened this summer could have happened, you know, two, three seasons earlier, that would have been amazing. But finally, he is out of the club. um So that's amazing.
00:11:38
Jacob
Hm.
00:11:38
Matt
So it is a bit harsh, but I think with Blueco, it's just hammering home the reality of football that there is so much impact ah from the financial side of it. And sometimes that really trumps the love of the game.
00:11:55
officialgspn
yeah Yeah, I think that's fair. It's a tough situation, is it? I think especially when when managers change, you you know that you're left with the remnants of what the last manager had. like We've had that with Moyes, where it's there is going to be a ah transition period from kind of getting rid of the remains of one manager and trying to replace that with the foundations of another. So when you're talking about these big contracts, it it kind of puts Maresco in a difficult position where he's got players, they're on big wages and potentially big contracts when they're not necessarily his guys or they're not guys that fit into his system. so it's
00:12:33
officialgspn
you either try and sell them a cut like ah cut price or you you try and get them somewhere in the pecking order of of you know players and trying to get in a starting spot and then some aren't going to be happy with where they are so they're not going to be in that starting kind of group so it's a really tough situation and that's one that If I guess only time will tell, I felt like it's kind of too difficult to tell right now if it's been handled in a ah positive way, because, you know, as the season progresses and injuries happen and, you know, form changes up and down, I guess that's when we'll really see where the the whole kind of main squad, well the main bulk of the Chelsea team, how they are as a group. So with that, only time will tell. But but yeah, it's a difficult situation. So, yeah, time will tell whether it's it's been positive or not.
Chelsea's Season Start Overview
00:13:21
Jacob
okay so that leads go on sorry say
00:13:21
officialgspn
okay we're just gonna yeah I was just gonna I think I was gonna say what you were gonna say go for it
00:13:29
Jacob
Okay, so that leads us perfectly into our first ad break and then we'll be back to talk more of Chelsea's start to the season.
00:14:07
officialgspn
okay so guys we'll just want to talk a little bit can you just summarize the start to your seasons quickly just give us a little quick overview how you think it's gone so far
00:14:19
Matt
um i think I think it's generally positive, as in like i said we lost to Man City. That was kind of going to happen regardless of because of where they are and where we are. But delighted with the wins at Bournemouth, frustrated with the draw against Palace, but ecstatic with the win against Wolves, for sure, because that was just relentless. I saw Neto and Felix really gelling really well in that game, and we just took full advantage.
00:14:52
Matt
I'm quietly confident. I'm feeling much, much better as I think Jake would agree with me that we're feeling a lot more positive about this season compared to the previous two seasons where we just had the total mismatch of Graham Potter, Frank Lampard, Pochettino, making weird signings over those two years. Whereas now our attack actually looks a lot, lot more threatening and and much better. so And I think we've seen that from from the game so far. So very confident after the the game so far still a lot to do but i think based on what we've seen so far we can believe that we can get sixth this season maybe push for top four yeah what about you jake
00:15:35
Jake
yeah i think i've been quite um i'll be very happy with with jealousy starts with seasons to be honest i think um ah you know and in pre-season we were showing you know sort of an identity again that we hadn't really seen for a while um and then we we definitely showed that in that first game against city which um you know we sort of played quite well in i know we lost you know but we played quite well in that and so um You know, we've we've had some confident games, you know, against Wolves. um You know, I feel like the the wind, we sort of grinded out against Bournemouth on the weekend. We really wouldn't have done that last season or in the last couple of seasons. To be honest, we didn't really have that mentality to sit there and grind out games, um which I think is something that Mareska has definitely given us. And I think that's just partly come from having an identity and knowing what to do most of the time in the game, um which I think is something we didn't have that much under Podge, you know, to be honest.
00:16:25
Jake
um And I think it depends it definitely depends on how many points we pick up over the next two or three weeks because obviously um Basically, we we have you know, some not not easier games, but we have um Opponents we should be looking to beat over the next few weeks, you know, we're born with last week um going away to you is now a lot a lot tougher challenge, but I um it It's a game we really want to be getting three points from and we have a couple of games coming up like that including Nothing Against Forest as well. You know we want to be getting three points there because when we come back for the next international break I think we play Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United um all in the same sort of small period so we need to be building up our points here really.
00:17:05
Jake
um And if we are able to do that over the next two to three weeks, I think we can we can look towards top four this season. I think i'm um'm I'm pretty confident that we can sort of look towards top four at the very least. I think we should be looking at the top six.
00:17:19
officialgspn
Yeah, yeah, I think that's really fast.
00:17:20
Jacob
Yeah, so a question i've got for him Sorry, go on Sorry,
00:17:21
officialgspn
Pretty accurate.
00:17:26
officialgspn
No, gone. No, you go. Honestly, it's all good.
00:17:29
Jacob
all right, i'll go um, I was just gonna say do you Do you guys think maresca already knows what his best 11 is or do you think? he's still because we've been seeing like performances such as madawake who Perhaps we weren't expecting. I mean, I certainly wasn't expecting. I don't know you would have seen more of him than I have. But do you think he knows his best 11 now? Or do you think, due to the size of the squad, do you think everybody needs to get their opportunity? It's still a building period, isn't it? So I don't know. What do you think?
00:18:10
Jake
yeah i think i i think he i think he's getting closer to that i think um in terms of you know the back six including the first couple of midfielders i think he's very much sort of there um obviously we've got a few things upsetting that sort of those starting players at the moment like we've not had a right back at the moment reese james is injured gusto is still out um and so we've had to you know change it up a little bit but i think in terms of the back four and the two he wants in front of them i think he typically knows the players he wants there and I think Sanchez's spot is also quite sturdy as goalkeeper. I think in terms of the attack, I think we're we're going to be waiting a while to see who's going to be our starting players there. um We have a lot of attackers, a lot of creative creative attackers and I think it's going to take a while to find out who has chemistry with who, um who doesn't really work with who else. um We don't really want to suffer from the late same thing in our last few seasons where we've got ah quite a few quality players but we just can't get them to link up.
00:19:06
Jake
in the slightest and I think that completely ruins attacks. Yeah, i think I think we'll be waiting a while for the attacking side of it to be sort of, you know, so to see who are sort of starting four or five are in attack, but um I think we know who we're consistently going to start in terms of defense in midfield now. What about you, mate?
00:19:27
Matt
Yeah, I agree. In terms of, I think it's mainly the front three that is up for the most discussion. ah As in upfront, is it Jackson or Kunku? On the right, is it Neto or Madaweke? On the left, is it Neto on that side? um Or is it Sancho or Mudrik? You know, that's generally, I think, the question because we're normally going to play Kaiseido, Enzo, and Parma in the midfield um if everyone's fully fit.
00:19:55
Matt
So, but I don't think that's necessarily an issue. I do think, and this is slightly comparing comparing because Enzo did work with PEP under city, but under PEP there's plenty of times where Foden's all the talk and then he gets and then he has a bit of a quiet period and then it's Grealish or then it's Dokku, maybe this season it'll be Savinio.
00:20:18
Jake
Thank
00:20:18
Matt
In previous years it's been Maras has really stepped up and then it was Sterling with City under him and it's always fluctuated and I think that's really important because
00:20:24
Jake
you.
00:20:30
Matt
unless you're really like the messy Ronaldo top top players, you just can't be the best player the whole season going. You're going to have some off periods for maybe up to a month or so. And that's where you really need some of your teammates to step up and fill in for you and get the goals and assists.
00:20:45
Matt
So I think having a lot of depth up front is really really ideal for us And so yeah, I think obviously parma will be there in amongst everything because he's just such a playmaker But we'll see things like madawake getting a hat trick against wolves And then we'll probably see sancho do that or you know, we haven't even spoken about jiao felix You know, he's in there to potentially play the number 10 or out wide as well so I don't think Enzo knows his best 11 just yet, ah but I would be surprised if he did just because there's so much yelling to do.
00:21:18
officialgspn
Yeah, that's very fair. I know I'm making the comparisons with West Ham because that's kind of my reference point and it's kind of the same thing when you're... You know, yeah there's been a lot of change in the squad. you've You've got a manager that's still new and that kind of feeling out time is happening constantly. And I feel like we're we're both kind of, we have squads that you feel like you're kind of getting a sense of who he likes, who he doesn't like, who he maybe likes to bring off from the bench, who he trusts to start. So yeah, it would be could be very interesting to see who does end up starting for most of the season. Now over to you
West Ham's New Signings Analysis
00:21:52
officialgspn
guys. Do you have any questions for us as West Ham fans, podcasters?
00:21:57
Jake
Um, I think, um, looking over from the Chelsea side, um, you know, a bit earlier in the transfer window, we were, we were really wanting our own attacking signings and we were sort of looking over a bit, lustingly over at West Ham because, you know, there was, you had a lot of rumors going on, you were signing some attacking players. Um,
00:22:16
Jake
I like to catch up, sort of, I suppose, on how your your new signings have been doing for you, because obviously you did have quite a good transfer window, you know, including that full crew Summerville, which is obviously a really exciting signing.
00:22:29
Jake
Have they have all your new signings, you know, you know, sort of had a had a chance to sort of bet into the team yet?
00:22:31
officialgspn
We've not really actually had that much of an impact from the new signings offensively so far, I don't think.
00:22:35
Jake
If they have, how well have they done? And out of those new signings, I suppose, who should we as Chelsea fans be worried about this this weekend?
00:22:46
officialgspn
we've not really actually had that much of an impact from the new signings offensively so far i don't think It's been tough because, so obviously just recently, Falkrung's been injured when he was away with Germany, so that that's been frustrating. And Lopategi, at the start of the season, he's mostly gone with new signings starting kind of in the more defensive roles. And then offensively, we've gone with more of the the old, moist players. So when it comes to new signs, we haven't really seen a lot from some of it. Obviously, he came on late on against Manchester City and had a really good shot, saved by Edison, like right at the the end of the game. So that was positive. and
00:23:23
officialgspn
I hope that as the season goes on and what we've kind of found out recently, I think especially in the last game, I don't think Michal Antonio is really able to hold the line for 90 minutes anymore. so you hope that with full krug coming back sooner than anticipated which is which is what we've recently found out that his injuries not actually as bad as we thought it was so he could potentially start against Chelsea I'm slightly hesitant I wouldn't want to rush him back because we need a striker I'd much rather him be ready to play when he's fit so
00:23:54
officialgspn
For me, I even think the way that Ings came on and scored that late equaliser, I think I'd potentially even start Ings for this game and then bring Fort Krog on at, you know, 60, 55 minutes and hope that he can make an impact. but But just because the the new signings haven't made an impact offensively doesn't mean that they they won't and I think we still have a lot of time and you know when you sign the championship's best player of that season you know that he has ability so it's just being able to kind of slowly bring him into the squad and find somewhere that he can be affected because
00:24:28
officialgspn
but as wide players go with Bowen and Kuda. like we There's not actually that many teams in the Premier League that I think have a better wing of duo because I'm one of Kuda's biggest fans. I think he is unbelievably good. He's definitely a Champions League player and I don't think he'll be with us for very long if we don't get Europe. And Jared Bowen is, I think, just as good. he His goal numbers and his assist numbers are so consistent. and he's done it this season, he did it last season and he he continues to just help kind of keep our attack chugging along as it seems like we kind of become a bit stagnant when we have Antonio leaving the line looking relatively lackluster and Sucek playing in the 10 which isn't really where he plays so attacking wise it's not really his his thing so
00:25:17
officialgspn
yeah I've gone a bit off tangent, um attacking signings. I think that they will be fruitful for us and I'm positive that they will come into the squad and have an impact relatively soon. What do you think, Jacob?
00:25:29
Jacob
Yeah, I mean, my view is much the same as yours, Tom. um I think that the the starters that we've got in there are difficult to get out of that starting 11, you know, Bow and Kudos, you know, Paquetta, as long as they're fit, they're they're going to play because they're our real difference makers. um But we find ourselves in a position that we haven't really had for, I don't know how long, where
00:26:00
Jacob
We have to rely on them. um You see it with full krugs injured, but we do have options, which we haven't had previously. you know for example last season when Antonio is carrying a knock and he has to play basically because we haven't really got another option um so I think there are exciting things to come I just think that Wyles, Kudos, Bowen um all these exciting attacking players keep performing I think
00:26:33
Jacob
it's going to be hard for them to lose their places in the squad. um And the likes of Somerville are probably going to get his his chance to sort of shine, um you know, cup games coming off the bench late. But yeah, we, we're just grateful really, I think more than anything that we are not stressed out all the time. Like if, you know, for example, if Suchak's injured, like who's going to take his place. We've got that now. We've got, um, we've got a world cup, you know, winner in Guido Rodriguez, you know, he might not be a deck on rice, but he's got that experience. He's got that class. Um, yeah, we're, we're in a great place. Um, I'm excited.
00:27:19
officialgspn
Yeah, definitely.
00:27:19
officialgspn
I think... Sorry to interrupt, mate. I think the the ability to have a bench that you can have faith in is so, so useful in it.
00:27:19
Matt
and so
00:27:22
Matt
no
00:27:29
officialgspn
As a fan watching a game, you're not terrified that someone's gonna get an injury while they're playing, and you know that if someone isn't maybe performing as well as they could do, you have people that can come and make an impact. And as West Ham fans, we've not had that for quite a while, to be honest.
00:27:42
officialgspn
We've kind of just had a starting 11 that's decent, and then kind of made do with bit part players and...
00:27:44
Matt
And so, like, no.
00:27:48
officialgspn
youth players that don't even really get on the pitch so so yeah it's good to have a bench.
00:27:54
Matt
Yeah, I guess just on that with all the songs that you've made this summer and increasing the squad size and having that extra depth. You guys finished ninth last season. What is the expectation for this season now? And is there real pressure on Lopategi to finish seventh or even higher?
Expectations for West Ham's New Manager
00:28:14
officialgspn
it's It's difficult, isn't it? because when you look When you look at it objectively, you think, new manager, you know we've we've had European success previously. He brings in a load of players. Everyone says that we basically have the best window, which I think we probably did. And then you know the the first few games aren't maybe as exciting or you know as fruitful as we'd like them to be. And you go, what is what is the reason for that? And I think then when you actually look at this the situation, kind of under the microscope, you go, well, we've we've changed style of football massively. We now want, we actually want the football when kind of previously we were quite happy not to have it and kind of hit teams on the counter. Now we want the football, we want to play with it. We're trying to get more possession in games. We're trying to change the whole kind of ah identity of the way that we play, because everyone goes, oh, the West Ham way, but that doesn't really like what even is the West Ham way.
00:29:07
officialgspn
um So when you combine that with a lot of, you know, squad change, like big players leaving, like Kurt Azuma, who's been our captain previously, is left. And you look at kind of how how volatile clubs can get so quickly. I think most West Ham fans are relatively relaxed still, because we know that these things take time. And I think there's so many case studies of teams giving a manager time when it potentially looks not particularly favorable.
00:29:38
officialgspn
you say the Michael Arteta example is probably the best one where people weren't sure if he was the right man for the job and then you give them time and you just trust the process and you say okay it might not be amazing short term but we're gonna trust the guy we've got let him make his changes and we'll see what happens so I think most West Down fans are We want to be better, and I think the the expectation is it has to be top half. Obviously top half non-negotiable. Europe is the hope and the desire, but if we don't get there, it's not the end of the world. As long as you can see a progression in the way that we're playing and you can see solid foundations that we can build on, I think most West Ham fans would be relatively okay with that. I don't know what we you think, Jacob.
00:30:23
Jacob
yeah i don't really know what the expectation is to be honest we all um We're seeing a completely different side to our team than we've seen in many years. like we We don't know what to expect. um We've got all these new players. We've got a ah new manager with completely different ideas to Mois. And I think, yeah, top half, I think
00:30:55
Jacob
I would be happy with 10th. It's not exciting but I think realistically we can't really expect a lot more with all the changes. um It takes time. like I'm sure you guys will agree with that as well. like Just because you've signed tons of players doesn't necessarily mean you're going to go out and and finish fifth. um So yeah, I think if if we get top half, I think it's a good job well done um and then just look to build honestly. um Yeah, that's it really.
00:31:34
officialgspn
Yeah, I definitely agree. I think the emphasis is way more about how we play and how we look rather than the place on the table specifically because you know we we could finish eighth or seventh and play pretty poorly and you know the the foundations aren't there for the next season. I'd much rather finish like a solid eighth or ninth but knowing that We're playing the way we want to play, you know that finish the end of the season really strong And then next season we can kind of build that momentum. The only one worry with that is The quality players that we do have will they want to stick around for another season without European football? That's kind of the one worry. So it's
00:32:17
officialgspn
Yeah, it is tough. We'll just have to see what happens. Obviously, the hope is European football. and I think that's what e everyone hopes. And I think that is a possibility, but it's not by any stretch of the imagination like a demand or a necessity because, you know, good things take time. And I think I'd rather be patient and have faith that things are going to work out well with a plan and a manager who's given time to kind of implement that plan rather than get all frustrated and annoyed and sack the manager and get a new manager in who then sides a load of new players, which means we have to get rid of all the old players and kind of go into the the cycle of sake managers really quickly. I think that's something that only brings uncertainty to a club, which is is not what anyone wants really. Yeah, perfect. Well, we are going to head to our second outbreak. When we get back, we're going to give specific predictions about the game.
Chelsea vs. West Ham Match Predictions
00:33:47
officialgspn
Okay, so I want one key player from each team and how that player can play to be effective for their team.
00:33:57
Jake
Are you going to start?
00:33:59
officialgspn
I don't mind. if you guys You guys take it away and we'll go a second. We'll let you go first.
00:34:02
Jake
All right.
00:34:02
officialgspn
yeah yeah
00:34:03
Jake
Matt, do you want to go or should I go?
00:34:05
Matt
You go for it, Jake.
00:34:06
Jake
All right. One, the key player for Chelsea, ah I believe will probably be this weekend in Cuckoo. I think ah he's very good in tight spaces.
00:34:18
Jake
I think he's going to shoot his boots on this weekend. um I would also have said Cole Palmer, but I think It's a bit of an obvious option, that's the only reason. But he will, he will have, he will, obviously, Carl Palmer will as well, obviously have quite a bit of impact, but I think Kukuku might be the one who gets the winner for us again this weekend.
00:34:35
Jake
I think he's really trying to nail down that striker spots for us, and I can really see him scoring for us.
00:34:39
officialgspn
Thank
00:34:42
Jake
In terms of score, I'm going to go with 2-2.
00:34:43
officialgspn
you.
00:34:46
Jake
I think we'll probably start well um but I'm a bit worried about how we do it like in terms of longevity in terms of the game because I think it's you know it's an away game and the crowd start to get on top of us and stuff like that. I can see us scoring maybe two goals in the first half and going in at two and a half time and then drawing 2-2 or it might be you know 1-1 and 2-2 but we'll see.
00:35:12
Jake
um i've But yeah, that's that's my prediction. I think i think well we'll come away with a draw. I think it's been quite tough to go and come away with a win. We'll leave it.
00:35:21
Matt
Yeah, I think it will be a really tight game. My stand-up player will actually be Enzo ah Fernandez just because I thought he was brilliant when we played you last year. ah ah Admittedly, it was only a one-all draw, but he had that fantastic fit assist to Zhao Felix when we had him online. And i think he I think you guys will be really compact and defend really, really tightly. And so we'll need him when we're when we are on top um in those moments.
00:35:52
Matt
for him to be that deep playmaker and to get those assists in um for for all the attackers that are on the pitch, whoever that is, depending on Marescu's lineup. So yeah, Anzo Fernandes for me to to get a great um performance and get a couple of assists tomorrow.
00:36:07
Matt
My result is going to be 2-1 to Chelsea because I think we're on the up from Bournemouth. You guys are still kind of a bit in the mud. Maybe that's a bit harsh, but as in, you know, you've won.
00:36:21
Matt
Jacob's shaking his head. You can't take that.
00:36:24
Jacob
on as hard as hard.
00:36:25
Matt
um um But as in, you know, four games in. Um, you've only won one. Um, so it's still finding your feet. Um, which is, you know, okay. But I think we will take advantage of that. I do think the crowd will be a factor and we will have some edgy moments when you do school and the crowd get on you, uh, get on us. But, uh, ultimately I think we've just got the better quality right now and we will get the three points.
00:36:52
officialgspn
yeah Yeah, I think that's a fair ah evaluation. Jacob, what do you think?
00:36:56
Jacob
um i I was also going to say 2-2, but I'm now not going to say 2-2. I'm going to say...
00:37:03
Jacob
um Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:37:03
Matt
He's going to say 4-0.
00:37:04
officialgspn
ah
00:37:06
Jacob
No, I'm going to say 1-0, and i my stand-up player probably is going to be Kuda, so I'm sure Tom was more than likely going to say.
00:37:16
Jacob
um I just think that Kookarela, who I assume is going to play on the left, um is is just going to have a long day, really. I think he's he's going to find it very tough. um Yeah, we all know what he can do. so
00:37:34
officialgspn
yeah Yeah, I think mine was going to be the same. I think, especially with your kind of fallback injury problems, I think the fact that our our wingers are so effective, I think, is really good for us. You look at the one-on-one battles, you think that our attacking wingers, I think, line up really favorably against your kind of defensive fallbacks in those when we're attacking. so I was going to say Kudas, but I will say Edson Alvarez, actually, because I think he's someone that's really underrated by everyone apart from West Ham fans. He's such a good kind of enforcer in front of the back four. I think where we've had, you know, there's been a lot of change in our back line. Another little shout out to Wamba Saka as well. He's looked really good. Obviously, everyone knows what he can do defensively, but off offensively for us, he's been really positive. So a little shout out for him.
00:38:23
officialgspn
the way that Eten Alvarez kind of gives the centre-backs confidence that he can mop up anything that is right in front of them so they don't then have to kind of step out of defence and make those kind of decisive decisions where we can then be exposed in behind. So yeah, I'll say Eten Alvarez and I think school prediction. I'm actually also going to say 1-1. I was going to say 1-1 the whole time. I haven't changed my opinion based on other people's comments. um So yeah, yeah, I think 1-1. I think just because I think you'll get the first goal early and I think we'll go into the halftime, ah probably 1-0 down and then the second half.
00:39:03
officialgspn
will probably sit back and then I think on the break, our wingers will expose the full backs because I think the the quality that you have defensively in the full back positions isn't great right now with the injury. So yeah, I think that one-one, I'd be relatively happy with that to be honest, kind of the way we've been playing it. It hopefully puts our momentum a little bit upwards because we've drawn with a team that I think a lot of people expect us to lose to. So so yeah, that that's my thoughts. Anyone else got any other parting comments?
00:39:34
Matt
Good luck.
00:39:35
officialgspn
oh
Conclusion and Promotions
00:39:36
officialgspn
i
00:39:36
officialgspn
know Thank you very much for watching and listening to this episode of the Daily GSPM West End Podcast.
00:39:36
Jake
Yeah.
00:39:39
Jacob
Thanks.
00:39:39
Jake
Thank you.
00:39:43
officialgspn
Say goodbye guys, I've been joined by Matt, Jake and Jacob.
00:39:47
Matt
Thanks everyone.
00:39:50
officialgspn
If you enjoyed this episode, please go and check out their podcast, the daily Chelsea GSPM podcast. They put out great content just like us very regularly. Check them out. There are also many other podcasts under the GSPM podcast umbrella. We have the wrap up podcast in many different languages. We have the fantasy podcast, women's football podcast.
00:40:09
officialgspn
Go and check those out if you enjoyed this one. Obviously all of the other Premier League teams as well. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate it or wherever you can, wherever you get your podcasts. All of our socials are linked in the show description. Thank you very much for listening and we will see you very soon. Goodbye.