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S1 E69 - Crossover with West Ham
16 Plays1 month ago
Today Craig is joined by Josh from GSPN West Ham to discuss our game at Villa Park this weekend.
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Transcript
Introduction and Episode Overview
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the latest episode of Daily Villa, the podcast as part of the Global Sports Podcast Network.
Crossover Episode with Josh
00:00:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
My name's Craig Burtwistle and I'm delighted to be joined by Josh from our friends at the Daily West Ham for a special crossover episode.
Visit to Villa Park and Team Changes
00:00:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're here to look about our recent trip coming to at Villa Park. ah So how are you doing today, Josh?
00:00:32
Josh Keech
Yeah, not too bad. it's you know it's It's exciting times. There's also question marks at the moment. Obviously, we've had a few big changes recently.
Performance Reflection: Villa and West Ham
00:00:40
Josh Keech
And transfer windows for me always seem to make it a bit more fruity. So we'll we'll see what happens. And ah yeah, lots to talk about in that sense as well. But it's been a bit weird because we've played you guys recently anyway. And obviously, I know we we've we've done one before, obviously, towards the start of the season. But yeah, two two games against you in, what's it like, two weeks? so yeah it's uh it's interesting it is interesting
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's very interesting.
Impact of Injuries on Teams
00:01:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And as I say, like it's, there's a lot happening of, as of late, uh, Villa are coming off an underwhelming champions league loss against Monaco. Had two good performances in the league. Uh, West Ham coming off a loss to inform Crystal Palace. Both teams have a big list of absentees at the moment. Um, Villa are without O'Nana, McGinn, Torres, and Ross
Graham Potter's Influence on West Ham
00:01:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Barkley. While West Ham are missing, I'm going to butchered this name. Mavapenasos. Yep, who is suspended. Somerville, Bowen, Tadebo, Fulcreek and obviously the long-term injury in Antonio. Josh, the last time we played ah under Graham Potter's first game in charge and we took a narrow win in the f FA Cup. Despite that loss though, I
00:01:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I felt that you made it very difficult for us. We've struggled to break down. How has the team reacted to the change in management?
00:02:07
Josh Keech
i'm I'm glad you've said that, that it was a pretty close game, because that's my kind of controversial opinion. One of my one of my close mates is my neighbour and villa fan, so it's it's brilliant, all the games recently, all the banter going back and forward, but we watched the game together and I said it was closer than I thought it was, and and that there's one bit in it that's, kind of where it was now, is the second goal with the a bit of the if there's VAR question marks kind of thing, but even taking that aside, it was a lot closer than I thought it'd be for a first game in with Potter. So I'm very so happy that we're going in the right direction. I think the big thing I've seen in the news recently has been Noble's comments saying about how
00:02:47
Josh Keech
the big change has been part of his influence purely to make that managerial change and his reasons have been that I think he's struggling with Lopategi's time for the players to connect with him and I think that that's one thing Potter does appreciate in his approachability and that he's doing his best with the relationships with the players first and that's the top priority so for me that's one big problem that's been answered quite quickly with Potter coming in.
West Ham's Busy Schedule
00:03:11
Josh Keech
I think our biggest problem with what's gone on recently has been that we've got such a short amount of get up so many games in a short amount of time. You know, we've I think looking back the obviously one win two losses in 10 days since he started so we've he's probably only added maybe what three or four sessions with them properly. We're not actually playing and actually having there but that that time to train so um
00:03:34
Josh Keech
I'm hoping that that's that's the main reason for maybe the not so great results but the performances I think have been so much better. The only thing I think we're absent on is shots on target so far but I'm I'm chalking a lot of that up to injuries which I'm going to moan about for I think the next next bit of time so don't worry.
Villa vs West Ham: Defensive Tactics
00:03:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, the the biggest takeaway I took home because I didn't get a chance to watch Palace versus West Ham, so you could give us a bit more insight there. But going back to that first game of Villa versus West Ham in the cup, Graham Potter's first game, I should say. What I was most impressed with was the fact that when you see a Graham Potter team, it's possession-based football, it's good, it's attractive football. But what impressed me the most was how Quickly got you organized in defense we really struggle to break it down and to to the naked eye it looked like a poor villa performance in the first half to be perfectly honest but when you broke it down it was mainly because our better players like morgan rogers for example was stifled and really couldn't get on the ball for big periods of time is that how you saw the game.
00:04:26
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:04:39
Josh Keech
Yeah, I definitely think the the starting the the first half was more for me more appealing for me to watch anyway obviously but as that second half was a bit more i i knew there was gonna be more coming because of how well you guys had come out the gates in that second half i think it it can be a a bit of a toss-up between the two i do think that it was probably a bit as you say not not the best performances from you guys in the first half And that's where we were able to obviously get the bits of chances we can you know can get. i think I think our problem was always going to be shots on target anyway. But as you say, I think our problem, I think, with Lopatee has been the defensive structure. ah That and a bit of, you know, I think getting the right midfield combination has been one of our our bigger
Villa's European and League Performance
00:05:22
Josh Keech
problems as well. So having that sort of rigidity almost.
00:05:26
Josh Keech
It's probably one of the best things I think that's happened in the very short span because as you say we played what was it Friday? It was a it was a Friday, wasn't it? And we had Lopateki sacked on the Wednesday Graham on the appointed on the Thursday and I think to to one against you guys who are you know, as you say Premier League and also Champions League
00:05:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:05:45
Josh Keech
you know, fixtures at the moment, I was quite impressed despite the loss. So it was, it was a step in the right direction. But yeah, palace was a tricky one, I think. And i'm I'm going to probably chalk a bit of that up to injuries. I don't think we played our best anyway. That's a, I think that was a, that was a guarantee as it was, but is there a map for panels, red cards, never the, never, never helpful with, as it with yourselves coming up this weekend. But yeah, I think our trickiest thing, obviously all of our injuries, are look all of them at the top of the pitch.
00:06:12
Josh Keech
So our problem of having shots on target anyway is already a problem and then you've got them on top being all absent. It's going to be a bit of an interesting one this week so I'm very struggling to work out how we're going to shape up for you.
00:06:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah and for me it's a case of Villa coming off a disappointing game in Europe. huge What's been the case this season, I hate to use the word usual, but like we're a mainstay in Champions League football, we've been there one the year. yeah i mean But like recently like with our games in Europe, we've always suffered with that continental hangover when we come back sort of thing. But I do think it's going to be slightly different this week because Unai Emery was very disappointed in the way we played in the week, let alone the loss against a team that like ideally we thought we'd be picking up points
West Ham's Season Goals
00:07:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
against. So I think it could work more in our favour in the league this time because I think we have something to prove. And speaking of like something to prove, um West Ham are currently sitting in 14th place. You're 11 points behind qualifying for European football.
00:07:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah position that a lot of people, me included, predicted that ah we could we should see West Ham in to like re recreate like you're you're winning the conference cup, for example. um Obviously, we know you're underachieving based on the previous management. Now that you feel that you've got the right man in charge, what do you think a realistic game is for West Ham this season?
00:07:44
Josh Keech
is is tricky because at the start of the season, obviously this is really the biggest question of looking optimistic with players we've brought in, new manager, that passion there, a manager who likes possession based football and and our shots on target have increased over the last few months. But I think optimistically we were looking at, you know ideally similar to before, you know between 6th and 10th.
00:08:07
Josh Keech
To me, 10th is probably looking as the optimistic level at the moment. I'd love to see higher, but I know that we've also got mean you're obviously Mang United and Spurs are also down there who shouldn't be there. So we're going to be fighting some of the people who need that those points too, which is going to be the trickiest part.
New Champions League Format
00:08:24
Josh Keech
someone's Someone's going to end up staying down there. I hope it's not us, but um I always hate it when it gets a bit nervy towards the end of the season. and we so somewhere down there still so it's ah yeah 10th is where i'm I'm seeing as the kind of optimistic would be nice could be better maybe if a few teams up higher have a few wobbles shall we say but that's that's gonna be the the bit of a trick for me what about you guys that's that's my biggest question one of my ones I had going into this is obviously Champions League now that's only the foot it's only I forget how the fixtures work for Champions League is that is one of two legs isn't it
00:08:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, the way the Champions League works now is eight random games.
00:08:57
Josh Keech
but
00:09:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you get played against, um I believe it was two play two teams in part A, two in part B, two in part C, and two in part D.
00:09:01
Josh Keech
Oh, right.
00:09:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you're guaranteed four home games and four away games. So the I'm actually a massive fan of the way the Champions League has run this year because you you get some of the better games earlier.
00:09:24
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:09:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And now is the case of now we're getting towards the seventh and eighth game of that league. It actually feels like a league now because you're looking at teams like we're looking at Atlanta versus Barcelona and hoping that but Barcelona beat Atlanta so they don't come close to us in the league, even though we won't play Atlanta, you know, Atlanta.
00:09:33
Josh Keech
yeah
00:09:47
Josh Keech
Yeah, that makes sense.
00:09:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So it actually feels more like a league now. So like, for example, West Ham are looking at, say, Man United scores, do you know what I mean?
00:09:55
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:09:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
or Or teams in and around their position hoping that they can leapfrog them. It actually makes the Champions League a bit more of that.
Balancing League and Champions League
00:10:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And now, as I say, to league, and we're looking at other scores saying, oh, well, we could still potentially get top eight if such and such does this.
00:10:11
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:10:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And rather than it being that group of four where you always got that throwaway game, to be perfectly honest, but there was one team that shouldn't be there. Now it's going to be eliminated pretty early on. And it actually gives a lot of teams a chance to get a Champions League win. There's been so many clubs over the past, but over years that are there every year, like a Swedish club or something like that, that never get that Champions League win. Now they have big advantages of doing that. So for me, it's a win-win, the new format.
00:10:39
Josh Keech
Yeah, it's definitely interesting. I've i've never been clued in on it fully. I only stay in a part of Ascension with the ah all of our big games we seem to not have anymore. I miss our conference league nights, and even our Europa League ones as well. It's always nice to have them, and I do miss them daily because a few seasons a ago, I think that was some of our more positive times. But um yeah, you guys, it's still in it, isn't it? It's still achievable, sitting at ninth, isn't it?
00:11:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so as long as we finish in the top 16, we continue in the Champions League.
00:11:07
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:11:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So the only difference is if you're finishing the top eight, you bypass the next round.
00:11:08
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:11:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the one thing that I found out today, believe it or not, is I believe in 16 days, we will play six times if we have to play in the next round. So it's ah it's going to be a very tiring ah process on the legs.
00:11:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's days like that that could really make your league form suffer.
00:11:31
Josh Keech
I was going to say, that's my big question is, at what point do you think you'll sacrifice some games in the Premier League to obviously you know keep players fit and keep the ones you know you you need to score the goals you do for the Champions League?
00:11:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a tough one because you you obviously being in the Champions League, you get the financial rewards, you win Champions League games, you get big rewards more so than when you draw and when you lose. But then if you're sacrificing the league, there's no way we get top four.
00:11:58
Josh Keech
the
00:11:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
um then like because already I've been very critical at the fact that we've dropped big points against teams that in and around that Champions League position you can't keep losing to Spurs you can't keep losing to Liverpool you can't keep dropping points at Ipswich stuff like that if you want Again, you want Champions League football again next season, and it is it is extremely hard to keep that momentum going when you have such a small squad that's been hit with FFP.
West Ham's Strategy and Transfers
00:12:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Basically, we're doing the exact same thing that Newcastle did the previous year, and then we get a couple of injuries, and our squad looks really depleted, um just like yourselves at the moment as well, with some key injuries to keep players.
00:12:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
and one of the things that like I was going to bring to there that I feel is going to be West Ham moving forward could be a saving grace if you don't qualify for Europe this season is if you because as I say I'm a big fan of Graeme Potter um I feel that if he um can get people to buy into the project when you're not in Europe. If you get some good players in the door and you can take advantage of those teams that are like Villa, for example, are playing on a Wednesday and playing again on a Sunday and vice versa. So you could take advantage and then really make a push for the league and get that European football that you've experienced recently and crave to get there again.
00:13:27
Josh Keech
yeah trump transfers is the thing that it's exciting for us obviously with Potter because we know obviously of the the idea of players that he knows he needs and i think i can't remember if this was true or not i'd seen it in the news recently about his one of his scouts from Brighton who's is at Chelsea currently that they're looking in to bring him to the club and obviously to work alongside our our transfer director at the moment so that'll be a bit of an interesting news obviously to have that you know idea of the caliber of players they want that are pretty from some more niche areas hopefully that we can still find some great performance from and obviously gives us the advantage of you know getting that apology say if we even don't qualify for Europe. Our trickiest bet I think is going to be keeping our hand on the money a little bit with it because we've spent so much in this window.
00:14:12
Josh Keech
and I know beforehand we've not been, we we have spent quite a lot, there it's weird because everyone says you've spent loads of money, why aren't you doing so well?
00:14:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
All
00:14:18
Josh Keech
I think it's the big thing that everyone looks at us from a wide lens on. ah but I'd seen the other day someone who showed a chart to do with investment long term and And high expenditure now, yes.
00:14:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
right.
00:14:28
Josh Keech
But if you look at the last 10 seasons or so, the investment back in from the owners and investors has been where we struggled. We actually sit further down the list in total spending because of the investment back in from the club. So it's is's a lot more lower than we think we should be.
00:14:42
Josh Keech
So um'm i'm I'm curious to see where we are. I wish there's a way of me checking. But um yeah, I think we need to look at a few loans in this window. But I won't talk to you about transfers anyway later
Potter's Style and West Ham's Play
00:14:50
Josh Keech
on. I think that'll be a key bit for ah both of us, especially with some links between us already for this window.
00:14:55
Josh Keech
It's always quite exciting.
00:14:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I wonder what names will come up there. and So for my next question, Josh, i I've obviously mentioned that Potter's a big fan. I did actually want him to get the in England job. I thought he would have done a great job there, gone to the points where I think Safegate wouldn't have gone, ah really pushed for it.
00:15:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've been a big fan of him since Brighton and i I just don't think Chelsea was the right fit for him. a lot I think he needs to have a hand in everything, whether it's bringing the players in and so on. And being basically told what to do at Chelsea, I don't think met well with him. And at the heart of his playing style is this commitment to possession-based football. His teams usually try to control matches through like, say, clever buildup and positional exchanges.
00:15:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
He like focuses on the fluidity and like more so than a rigid formation. and And I feel like this is very similar to Emory, although I feel Emory style is a bit more patient, a bit more methodical, if you will. um So it should make for a fun game, especially for the neutrals this past weekend. Do you agree with that statement?
00:16:06
Josh Keech
I do. You're spot on, really. I think in terms of the style of play, I agree with you about firstly with Chelsea, I do think it was the wrong job. For any F1 fans, this thing, I would describe it a bit like a sort of red bull seat, where um it's finding the right caliber and finding the right people to match it. And it's always a tough is a tough job, I think. You've seen it with Tougal before, Podge. It's one of those things, yeah you look you look beforehand, and it is is a tricky one.
00:16:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm hmm.
00:16:35
Josh Keech
and I don't think it was the right thing really I think someone like us maybe provides it might be seen maybe from a wider lens as a sideways move from Brighton with his time there I think with his stats though it wasn't as big as ever everyone made it out to be I think obviously he has a lot of you know he's had a lot of transfer success as well as also I think everyone was always saying Brighton was always that team that creeps on the door to Europe but would always sort of be around it but never sort of too much on it So but when you looked at the stats for wins draws and losses, it was quite close considering that I actually said the other day to a few people that i I wasn't too sure to start with with a potter appointment, because stats wise, it wasn't too much different. Well, you know, as far as you will opportunity really the the stats aren't sort of grass always greener in comparison. And obviously, we then we have the fact that we've got Moyes as well is oh you've you've you've moved on and look now he's gone to Everton. So
00:17:26
Josh Keech
it's definitely interesting I think in the style of player spot on as well it is more as you say patient and build up and I think we've seen that with some of the goals we scored recently in the last couple of games but it's definitely seen where there's been some smart plays and then they've come to fruition and and then we've been fortunate there to get a few a few goals on which has been lovely I guess which I could see so many more but um I think that's always a thing with every game isn't it but yeah I do agree.
Injuries Shaping Team Strategies
00:17:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fantastic. How do you feel, like obviously you experienced the loss against Palace, do you expect any wholesale changes or do you think it's kind of like setting stone with the amount of injuries you've got, who you think will be playing?
00:18:07
Josh Keech
it's it's going to be tough naturally anyway I think when we play you guys purely as you say so we've got I think the only real fit forwards we've got is if we play Pagataab pretty much forward playing him up top and we've got Kuda still which is obviously good news but there's a few rumours I've seen today that Bowen's back in training Now, I don't know how concrete it is that he's going to start. If he does, I probably think he'll get nursed into it, I imagine. But um yeah, I think realistically, that's probably the only two forwards I've got that are concrete. The only other ones we've got really lying around will be Louis Guillerme, the 20 million Brazilian we brought in the window.
00:18:42
Josh Keech
at The start of the season that hasn't really played too much. So I doubt he'll Get a run in maybe only for a few minutes, but I think we'll put it into playing with two forwards I think that's the the probably similar to how we shaped up against you got to to palace before because Despite the performance is probably the only solution we've got right now It's it's not looking particularly too bright from for the moment. I think I think we've got early February, end of Feb and March as the expected dates for everyone to return. But even even then, we might have to look at playing even suit check even higher than normal. I think that's been the other kind of
00:19:17
Josh Keech
thing recently, there's been a bit of a shock aware. I know moisture is only before playing him further up the pitch and we have still got all the midfielders, which is quite good. So having him maybe is a bit of like a Fellain-esque players. We've been saying from previously of just sitting up there and creeping up for the goals. And it's been quite shocking. I think my, my shocking stat we've been saying about recently is that he's got more goals than Kudos, which is, um,
00:19:38
Josh Keech
Yeah, very shocking considering that nowhere near a rumor for a move. But yeah, there's, there's the question of if he's going to Arsenal or not. a lot So it's, uh, everything's scaring me for this window because all these, all these different things are happening. But yeah, I think we're definitely going to be playing someone from the midfield further up than they normally would and probably stick in our normally wide players a bit close to the center. That's probably the only option we've got to be honest.
00:20:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
interested Interesting, ah thanks very much for that Joshua with your thoughts on West Ham. We'll be back after a short message when we'll talk a little bit a bit more about Aston Villa.
00:20:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back. We've just been speaking to Josh about how we feel West Ham will line up. And now it's time for us to talk about how we expect Villa to line up. Josh, I would expect us to set up in a basically traditional 4-4-2, if you will. Emery sounded as if he was not pleased with Duran ah this past week in European football, which will be delightful to hear for a West Ham fan, I believe.
00:21:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, um and basically on his partnership with Watkins and also Bailey's involvement midweek. So due to that, I would expect us to line up with ah back four will be consistent. I believe with Martinez and goal cash at right back. Conza means and Luca Dean across um the back four.
00:21:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've been extremely critical of our defense this this year. We constantly can't keep clean sheets. We're bleeding goals. And I think our defense is very much like our midfield last year. Emory has fixed our midfield, even though at the time it felt very disappointing to see Douglas Louise leave. But we've seen the likes of Yuri Tiedemann step forward now, Ross Barkley, really make a name for themselves alongside Ohnana, Kamara, McGinn.
00:21:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
So i I really hope that we can invest. We've already brought in a right back in the transfer window. We've let Diego Carlos leave for Fennebache officially today. So we really desperately need a centre back. So I think that missing key of the puzzle to actually tie up our defence I think is very close in there.
Defensive Consistency Challenges
00:22:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
but it's not quite there yet, so there's definitely chances for even a team that's struggling to get goals like West Ham to get on the score sheet this week. In our midfield, we're still without McGinn.
00:22:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
i not I'm not 100% sure, but I think he's going to give Bailey one last chance out on the right. I would expect to see Kamara and Tealemans in the middle. um Because McGinn's still out, I expect to see Jacob Ramsey on the left. And then our front line will be led with Morgan Rogers just off the course of Watkins.
00:22:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Based on um that formation that you've heard, is there any names that spring out to you as being the target for West Ham to play against in order to break them down?
00:22:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
is there any Is there anyone there you think is a weakness in the Villa team? and
00:23:00
Josh Keech
yeah it's It's tricky because there's loads to unpack with that, with there's so much there that's ah for me to dive in on because firstly, ah Onana, I think is ah you know an absolutely brilliant player.
00:23:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:23:13
Josh Keech
I think he's one of those where I would have loved him, loved him to play for us because it was one of those where no one linked to everyone or linked to a few clubs of similar size and working out where he's going to go. And I i would love them for us.
00:23:24
Josh Keech
He's one of those players that I wish in my career modes straight in the teams. But yeah. I think from what I've seen and heard, defence has been the big question for you guys this year.
Player Transactions Impact
00:23:37
Josh Keech
And Diego Carlos, as you say, what what are your thoughts on that then with obviously the deal there? 10 million isn't it with add-ons is what I've seen.
00:23:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
10 millions with add-ons and I've been a um person who's been very much on the fence with Diego because and the reason I'm on the fence and as our listeners would ah adhere to is the fact that He's very much a big game player. When he played against Harland, Man City, when he played against Arsenal, he was phenomenal. But then there's games when he plays against Fulham, for example, and he disappears, makes those errors that he shouldn't be making. So the inconsistency really got me with that one. So I was happy for him to leave, but I really wanted him to leave in the summer.
00:24:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's not the youngest p player, but he's certainly not passed it by any stretch of the means. So the 10 million plus add-ons I think is a good deal, but it's only a good deal if we bring in a good player in his placement, because at the moment we have Kanza Mings.
00:24:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's about it. Torres is out injured Torres. I'm a big fan of, but that's three players then that can fit in that, that sense about position. We desperately need one more. We got Bogarde, who's a very good player, but still a bit young.
00:24:47
Josh Keech
yeah
00:24:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, did really well, uh, recently playing as a holding mid against Arsenal. um but I still don't think it's time for him yet. I think we really need to invest that money well on another censor back.
00:25:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know Bardet was linked with the club. um I don't know that much about him, but I've heard good things. So um hopefully we can get that one across the line.
00:25:12
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:25:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, the defence is definitely the area where Westam should be looking to exploit and trying to build off that.
00:25:22
Josh Keech
This is the thing really, because our defence has been the same. When you say about inconsistency with Carlos, I i think instantly about Mavropanos, because ah we've been saying for the last three months that it's sometimes it's performance of an absolute God. But then equally, there's sometimes where it's time to get subbed off. And we know it's you know, it's someone needs to come on and change it because the inconsistency is is is just so apparent. And and We can't have that all the time, and equally, that's why we end up struggling, because we've got Todita Bonja now, when he's had an absolutely fantastic couple of games beforehand, where he actually would be coming on now, but now we've got no one there, so we're struggling and all. But we're fortunate enough, we've got Emerson and Juan Pasaca, which have been nice.
00:26:03
Josh Keech
with Emerson settled anyway from a couple of seasons ago and one berserkers come in and hit the ground running fantastically so full backs wise it's nice to be sorted but our centre backs have been a bit tricky pairing them up right because Kilman's been okay he's had a few rough games recently but on the whole for the money we paid he's actually showed quite a good bit of value and promise but maverick panels obviously has been the one i think where if there's rotation around it's usually with him so i mean if both defences aren't up to scratch this weekend it should be a nice opening game with a a good a good few goals to come in so that'd be nice but um but yeah we'll see it's very very nervy in that sense but one question i had then obviously with all the recent rumors in the window john duran you said at the moment emory is not too happy and i've seen a lot in the news recently that has made me think
00:26:52
Josh Keech
will any money will he leave what's going on because we tried in the window in the start of the year 40 million not enough this one 57 million has been rejected and i thought you know what i just i'm just shocked i'm surprised he's not he's not it's not it's not moving faster than what i thought not even with us but anywhere he's he's quite a good player and he's i know there's a lot of you know contention up top to try and be the one that's starting all the time
00:27:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's a tough one because um it's a case of we've got two strikers and so many clubs, including some of the best clubs in the country like Arsenal, for example, are desperate for number
Striker Market and Valuation Challenges
00:27:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
nine. And we've got two, um which separates us from a lot of different teams. And the fact that we can bring Duran on after 60 minutes and have this fresh, energetic, young, very talented striker,
00:27:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
is what's got us a lot of points this season. Let's let's be frank, it's been honest. So it's a case of, but how do you keep both of them happy enough in those those spirits?
00:27:58
Josh Keech
yeah
00:27:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's a case of, I feel that come the summer, we definitely will have to make a decision. But the way it works is out, I believe Duran just signed a contract to 2030. So we've got him tied up.
00:28:10
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:28:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
if anyone wants him they're gonna have to spend big in order to get him out and at the end of the day he signed the contract so he's got to accept that. I know we've had like player power in the past with many different players in many different clubs but like we hold all the cards for that and now it's a case of who do we want in that position and I know Uno was not happy this past week like he But i here's the thing, I don't know whether he was unhappy at Watkins or Duran or both at the exact same time because he wanted Watkins to play more out on the left and both of them stayed in the middle.
00:28:44
Josh Keech
yeah
00:28:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And what ended up happening then, um our attacks were stifled. And like he said that even though we had two strikers on the field, our attacks were worse than when we didn't.
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
and being able to put because us on the podcast as well have spoke very highly about playing the two of them together and now it seems that that's going to be very few and far in between after this performance because Emory was not happy I've never ever seen him that negative in a press conference before
00:29:08
Josh Keech
Uh, yeah.
00:29:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
So hopefully this resonates with the players because I kind of liken it to when your parents don't shout at you but they go quiet instead.
00:29:29
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:29:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know how much that hurts more than anything. So I feel like him actually going this far as if to show with displeasure I think really means that we need to show him a performance this weekend and that can only be win-win for us fellow fans.
00:29:44
Josh Keech
it's good because you It's good to see that, obviously, from your manager. It's nice to see that passion there, though. I think that, equally, with the relationship with the players, they they know what they need to do, which is always a good thing.
00:29:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
.
00:29:53
Josh Keech
ah My question, then, leading on, if we're fairly secure on his, obviously, his contract, as you say, and yeah he's got plans to be there still.
00:29:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
.
00:30:01
Josh Keech
What would it take, as you say, clubs got to spend money? It's a double-hour question because I've realised this differently that I think i think we get it a lot with Rice. But what would you say to Villa fans is he worth in comparison to if someone put the money down, what do you think would be the accepted amount? Because this is where I say, as an example, rice Rice for me is a hundred million player because of the fact he's English and the fact that he's that player that can do that job.
00:30:26
Josh Keech
That's why he's worth it for us because he is that best player for us. So that's why it was worth the money. But equally, some people can say 80 million. That should easily be a concrete deal signed. So where where do you think the two numbers would lie? What would you be like? OK, it's happened. And what do you think realistically the the money number is that you should be going for?
00:30:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's that's a very tough question and I'm going to put this out there and I'm probably going to be strung up by every bill of fun. Like from here here to Birmingham to be perfectly honest, but um I would sell Watkins before I sold
00:30:58
Josh Keech
Oh.
00:30:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, the honestly, this is this is what I get because I see Duran, Duran literally just turned 21. That's how young this kid is. So I feel that if you're gonna sell him, you need to have enough money in that kitty to prove that a striker that could have been here for like 10 plus years, right?
Transfer Speculation and Needs
00:31:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I feel he can he's gonna be a superstar. And here's the thing,
00:31:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Name me another striker in the Premier League right now that like basically Arsenal could buy. Not even the Premier League, in the world right now because there is a shortage of strikers. you've got the Now it's the case of Bloome Delors being won by a midfielder because there isn't enough good strikers.
00:31:47
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:31:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's It's as simple as that, right? So I don't think for any money we should be selling Duran. If someone comes in for a hundred million based on um the fact of PSR and stuff like that, we might have to take it. But like for me,
00:32:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
you eatd up you'd have to pay $100, $120 for me to contemplate selling Duran.
00:32:06
Josh Keech
Okay.
00:32:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I know in this day and age, $100 million is ridiculous money. We're not in the day and age where like Jack Grealish went for $100 million now because teams just can't afford to pay it because for $100 million, and you'll probably have to sell like, if you're Manchester City, you're gonna have to sell six or seven um like homegrown players.
00:32:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're Chelsea, you're gonna have to sell like five hotels. it's just just not going to work is it so it's like it's it's very difficult to turn down that big money i think when you're trying to invest in a club but honestly i don't know if there's anyone else we could replace him with at all
00:32:34
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:32:39
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:32:46
Josh Keech
Yeah. So that's an interesting one because the only, obviously we're we're in a striker deficit right now, despite the fact we've got Danny Ings, who I know isn't the man for the job. And that's why he's never mentioned, even though the fact we've got about 8 million injuries, I'd rather see someone from the midfield play up top than what jings play for 90 minutes. But, um,
00:33:03
Josh Keech
um Our biggest link that I think has some sort of relevance and some chance of happening is we're looking at Evan Ferguson on loan. I don't think we can afford him to be honest if we did it permanently anyway and if he'd even opt to leave but ah on a loan basis based on the game time he's getting at the moment I think that's not too far from where we're looking but that's an example of you say young good player has the as the promise there similar to as you say similar to Duran where that's probably the only other person I can think of that even is close to fitting that profile of what we're looking for at the moment.
00:33:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And honestly, if you play a lot of football manager, Evan Ferguson is the man to get that's for sure. I know every single time I've played that game, Evan Ferguson, you sign and you've got basically a future Holland on your hands, but let's see if the, in reality works like the game. I don't know.
00:33:54
Josh Keech
That's it. One other question I had for you. Obviously, Martinez is the absolute diamond he is for you guys. But I hear a lot of comments, mostly from my neighbour, but generally anyway, Olsen isn't the man that should be your number two. I know it might not be an urgent thing at the moment, but this is my thought is, do you think maybe you could do with a bit of an upgrade there, but it might not be a priority right now. That's what my kind of thinking is, but I want to say your take on it.
00:34:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I want to see if we, if we have to play, I don't know where this tradition came in of having to play the second string keeper in cup competitions. I don't know when that started.
00:34:33
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:34:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I feel like when you, when you have the luxury of say like Liverpool, where you can bring Callaha on who's a superb second goalkeeper, but probably the second, ah probably the best second goalkeeper in in the world at the moment, in my opinion.
00:34:42
Josh Keech
yeah
00:34:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
that he could just come in and he did. He came in when Allison was injured and did phenomenal. ah That Olsen is no Keller, right? I think Olsen is probably probably looking to either move on to one more club or retire to coaching soon, I believe. um like We have Gauci from Australia as our third string. So for me,
00:35:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah if we if we have to play a keeper in the cup competitions now i would play him and give him those minutes to see is he capable of being that second string and like kella for example a young keeper give him the ah ability to shine and everything like that and if not
00:35:25
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:35:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then yes, we do need to get someone in that can be that understudy. That's okay with taking um Second like a few years ago. I think he's doing okay again now but the hail was out without a contract after being at Man United for many years and
00:35:44
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:35:47
Josh Keech
yeah
00:35:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can't tell me that Villa couldn't have turned his head and said, listen, be a sec our second keeper.
00:35:53
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:35:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And like, yes, he made some big high profile mistakes when he was at Man you United, but you can't deny that he's a good keeper.
00:36:00
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:36:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
It just seems like Man United ruined players. You know that from your right back with Basaka, right? yeah um He's looking great again, like a new release lease of life at West Ham.
00:36:07
Josh Keech
yeah
00:36:12
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:36:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Juan Basaka misspoke his name there.
00:36:14
Josh Keech
Yeah.
00:36:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah yeah, he's looking again like another good player. It's like, man, you know, it's the graveyard for some of these good players. They come back out and sometimes they find their life. So to answer your question, yeah, also isn't the answer for any time Martinez is injured.
00:36:26
Josh Keech
yeah
00:36:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
We, we, we break it. We really do. Um, so we do desperately need a second keeper, but I think actually could be the man.
00:36:39
Josh Keech
Yeah, it's interesting. I thought I'd ask because even the irony, I know we say defense is the problem. But I looked at the stats just quickly to see what the stats were from our game recently, and the recent one not too long ago, and the lowest performer in the defense.
00:36:53
Josh Keech
was actually your boy Orson.
00:36:56
Josh Keech
The whole of the rest of the defense, green stats, lovely. high High ratings, everything. But 6.5 for, obviously, I don't know. We know why because of goals. but um But equally, yeah, I thought that was quite quite an interesting one to hear your take on, I think.
00:36:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:37:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:37:09
Josh Keech
And it's funny you say that about you United. Obviously, we've got the second case study with Lingard. So it's ah that same thing of, you know, Ambasaka before has been class at the moment. We saw Lingard briefly, trying to have of a bit of a nice nice holiday with us ah very very well miss him now, but he seems to not be doing so so great at the moment with where he's gone to. I think that was probably a missed decision and all, but as so you say it was a good example with them. But yeah, it's very, very interesting this window. I think there's going to be a a few shock things that happen for everyone, but it'll be interesting to see what centre back to you guys can bring in and equally as well. Hopefully we can find someone that can score some goals. So that's going to be the make or break, I think, for us in the ah second half of the season.
Conclusion and Socials Reminder
00:37:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fantastic. Well, Josh, I think we're out of time. I've fully enjoyed this conversation. It was great. Hopefully the listeners enjoyed it too. So like I say, that's about it for this episode of the Daily Villa Podcast or the Daily West Ham Podcast, wherever you're listening. Thank you very much, Josh, for joining us. Be sure to get in touch across all our socials that you can find in our podcast description. This has been the Global Sports Podcast production. Thank you for listening and as always of the Villa.