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Episode 025 - Man United Primed for a Beating?! Match Prediction
12 Plays1 month ago
In today's pod, Tom and Jacob look ahead to the weekend game with Man United at the London Stadium. Coming off a lacklustre 1-1 draw in the Europa League, Man United are under increased pressure in this game and the boys discuss how this pressure can be exploited to West Ham's advantage!
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Transcript
Introduction
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello, guys, and welcome back to another episode of the Daily GSPN West End podcast. I'm joined by Jacob. Say hello, mate.
00:00:15
Jacob
Hello, how are you?
Optimism for West Ham vs. Man United
00:00:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm doing okay, mate. I'm feeling slightly more optimistic about the game at the weekend. Obviously, coming off the back of the podcast we did with Kieran from the Daily Man United GSPN podcast.
00:00:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
The context for the game coming up at the weekend may have slightly changed. How do you think?
00:00:33
Jacob
Yeah, I think off the back of their result, you know, we saw them, you know, lose a one nil lead and, you know, the red cards that they had. And I think just the general fact that we're going to have more in the tank, basically, um, you know, having played midweek and then having to play again at the weekend for them.
00:00:57
Jacob
might play into our favour. So yeah, we've had a whole week to rest. So yeah, I'm feeling positive. I think we can definitely take something.
00:01:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah definitely it it plays into our favor so nicely obviously right now we're kind of desperate for any advantage that we can find so the fact that a manager who's already under pressure is gone and played pretty underwhelmingly.
Manchester United's Current Challenges
00:01:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
The the use of Maz Rowby as kind of ah an attacking midfielder was really interesting. And that's something that you got scrutinized for quite heavily, especially with the result, you know, drawing 1-1 and that seeming like quite a favorable result for them, to be honest, considering, you know, they but should have done a lot better and they didn't. So I think this is all stuff that we can hopefully try and use against them.
00:01:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we have to put them to the sword, to be honest. If there if there's ever a time that we pull our finger out and decide that we want to put a team to the sword and and really go for it, this is the game because, yeah, like I say, the manager's under immense pressure. So many poor performances from players individually. And yeah, I think even despite the Kudos Red card, I still think that we need to be going into this game ruthlessly and and we have to go there to win.
00:02:20
Jacob
Yeah, I hope we go into the game the same way we did against Tottenham, you know, where we got off to a great start and then just keep that throughout. Like I said before, we should have more in the tank, more to give than them. um You know, probably their best player, you know, was suspended, so he'll be back to play Bruno Fernandes. But yeah, ah I think that we can't really forget about our previous game. And I know we're we're optimistic about it, but there's still going to be that sitting in the back of our minds. You know, how are they going to respond to that? Are they going to sink further or are they going to use it to to build um and to improve really? um Because we need to see ah a dramatic change. You know, the first half of that game,
00:03:19
Jacob
We were good, but then it just fell off. We weren't at it and everything that went wrong basically did, um that could have gone wrong, did go wrong. So yeah, we can't have that happen again.
00:03:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
definitely not. If we could capitulate in the same way we did against Spurs to a Man United team coming off the back of drawing 1-1 to Fennebache when they played 30 minutes with an extra man, it just looks so poor. It starts to become a serious question about what's being done on the training ground and how the management staff had coaching the players because it's really not acceptable. This is such a pivotal point for both managers, I think. But ultimately, I think there is more pressure on Tenhar because with him, it's not just the results that is being questioned. It's a load of the managerial decisions and it's you know they've they've had problems with injury and
00:04:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
the general vibe around the whole club is really poor so if he loses to a West Ham team that probably I think on paper most people wouldn't expect us to win if if you look at squads. If he lost to West Ham it really puts him in the firing line to to lose his job very soon because I don't think from a Man United perspective, it's really acceptable. I know we we spoke to Kieran on the last episode of this pod, the the crossover episode, and he he spoke quite quite favorably about a lot of our players, but when we did the combined 11, I think he kind of sided a lot more with the Man United players, which you understand, but I think that shows his standing on how he thinks the game will go, and his prediction for the game was a Man United win, and you completely understand that. but
00:05:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
if there was gonna be a worse result for a manager, it's definitely Eric Tanhagen and Man United losing. So that that's why I think this is such a good opportunity for us to to capitalize on that and hopefully start an upturn inform that we've basically been desperately crying out for.
00:05:21
Jacob
Yeah, I don't think there's, to be honest, I don't think there's quite enough, or it doesn't seem like there's as much pressure or backlash from um from the Tottenham game as there should be really. from Just from what I've seen, and is I think people just are in ah in a position where they're reserving judgment at the moment because of the new manager, because of the ah whole new style of football and um you know all the all the transfers that have come in and are yet to make and you know much of an impact. So I think definitely with Turner Hard, I think the fact that he's been there you know several years now and performances still are rocky.
00:06:10
Jacob
you know there's still What is it they've got now? One one win in 11 European games, I think I saw. And a lot of those are from losing winning positions. So if you know if we can start quick, you know if they score early, that's
West Ham's Strategy Against Man United
00:06:30
Jacob
fine. Well, it's not fine, but you know they've shown that they they can't hold a lead. So that plays favorably to us, definitely.
00:06:41
Jacob
if we can If we can fight, then yeah, I can really see something coming from this game.
00:06:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I agree. But I actually think I disagree with you about ah the first goal point. um From our point of view, it's very much seemed like in games, obviously, maybe not so much the Tottenham game, but when we've conceded first, we've kind of struggled a lot so to get going afterwards. You you look at the the Brentford game we can see straight away and you know we we do well to get the the draw but I think it it just piles onto that negative atmosphere that we have right now if if we go and concede straight away it just I think it puts the the players heads down instead of kind of the the inverse of if we go really hot out of the gates and we we put so much pressure on and we can get the first goal
00:07:26
Jacob
Yeah.
00:07:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think because of you know all of the the circumstances around Man United with the manager pressure and you know this last result where they looked pretty underwhelming, it's very difficult for them to fight out of that situation. And if you look at their their squad man for man, you don't really see the sort of influential leaders and people that are willing to really put their body on the line for the shirt like you have done in in previous year for the Man United. And obviously this Man United team isn't a shadow of their former self. So if we can start well, which I think we have to,
00:08:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
we can we can really make them pay. And then on the flip side, if we do start poorly, because they do have some individually quality players, like, you know, you're thinking about Bruno and Garnaccio, I'd say are probably the two most offensively threatening and ah kind of headstrong players who are ah going to drag their team through when their other players aren't doing as well. They're the ones you've got to look out for. and and And if they make us pay early, you can see the momentum going with them because Yeah, it's it's worrying us exceeding early, to be honest.
00:08:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just hope that we can we can get the first goal and then we can go from there because I'm I'm just terrified of it being the first goal and then stagnating and then it get into the second half and that's just falling off a cliff like we did against Spurs.
00:08:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
So so we can hope.
00:08:58
Jacob
Yeah, I agree. I agree.
00:09:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK, so we're going to go to a quick advert and then we're going to talk about what 11 we want to start this game.
West Ham's Defensive and Midfield Tactics
00:09:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, so take me through what goalkeeper and defence you want to start this game.
00:09:36
Jacob
Um, I think this one is, this whole area of the pitch is fairly straightforward, mainly because the choices are limited, I think really. So it's going to be Ariola. Um, and then most likely Wampus Saka coming back to face his old club. I'm sure he's going to want to stamp his authority on the game, you know, most likely coming up against Garnaccio off the left, maybe Rashford, not sure. And and then it will be Kilman, Tadebo and Emerson. I would have thought, I would have thought, unless Mavropanos has you know had a great pre-match training session and has looked you know slightly sharper than
00:10:31
Jacob
Tadebo, I can't see and ah can't see him being dropped, to be honest. um I think that's our most settled back four now. I like it, obviously, it's not been performing at its best. And you know there's still partnerships to be created there, especially with Kilman and Tadebo, both new this season, both you know get regular game time. they just that It's coming together, I think. um But yeah, i think I think that selection is obvious, to be honest.
00:11:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
See, I agree with you in principle, but when you got to the Mavropanos comments, it's I think he actually deserves a place in the starting 11. I think the way that he performed for Greece and how poor our defense was in the last game against Spurs, I think it makes a lot of sense to change it. I don't think we should be allowing players to keep their place just because we think they're the best players. I think it should be more based on how they are playing. and poor performances should be penalized and good performances should be praised. So I think, you know, the way that Maripanos played for Greece against England was amazing. And I know it was, you know, quite a while ago now, but I just think he's earned that place. So I would go with ariola and goal. I'd go
00:11:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wamba Saka is the right back, and I completely agree. you I think he's going to be so up for this game, playing against his former team, knowing their kind of weak points and being able to exploit them, hopefully for our positive benefit, I think is going to be really useful. And then the two center backs, I'd go. Kilman, obviously, he is definitely a stalwart in the the defense now. he's He's been playing really solidly, and I would pair him with Mavropanos for the reasons that I said before, how well he's played in the past few games. and I think you have to change something when you do lose so drastically.
00:12:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, yeah, I'd go for for Emerson as the left-back as well. There's not really much choice with the left-back. I think Aaron Creswell can do a job, but if we if we try and to go for the best 11, it has to be Emerson.
00:12:42
Jacob
yeah
00:12:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, now we'll move on to the midfield. What sort of midfield are you looking like and who are you gonna put there? Are you playing a two and a like ah four, two, three, one? Are you going four, three, three? What are you thinking?
00:12:53
Jacob
Yeah It's difficult because I know I kind of already know your opinion on Paquetta. Um, so I know what you're probably going to say about him, but I still think that he's going to, he's going to play. And I think we're most likely going to be, uh, you know, like a four, four, three, three, or a four, two, three, one, whatever sort of variation with, you know, three sentiments, um, with, ah and um he'll most likely pick, um,
00:13:31
Jacob
I think Rodriguez, Sucek, and Paquetta. I think that's that's what he's gonna pick. i What do I want?
00:13:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, what do you want and how does that differ?
00:13:41
Jacob
um i I would want Alvarez to start. I think I would only change Alvarez over Rodriguez, I think.
00:13:52
Jacob
um but i'm not sure why I'm not sure why Alvarez didn't start in the last game, to be honest. I don't know if he was slightly unfit or whether it was a tactical thing but and you know he must have had his reasons for it to leave him out because he's such a big game player and makes such an impact I think he has to play.
00:14:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, I completely agree. I think, yeah, the Paquetta stuff is tough because he hasn't been performing anywhere near as well as he has in the past. He seems like a bit of a shell of his former self. So in different circumstances, I might kind of stick to what I've said in the past, saying that he should be, you know, dropped from the squad for a bit to let all of the noise around him kind of simmer down. But with Kudus injured, you know, ah our main attacking threat basically or one of them is basically him and bow and isn't there are two most offensively dangerous players so yeah I think the cat has to be in there so I would have Alvarez and Sue check as the two DMS and then so I'd be playing a four two three one I'd have
00:15:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alvarez is a DM with Sucek, I'd have Paquetta then playing as the one that's slightly further forward and I ah like the balance of Alvarez and Sucek as well because both very physically dominant and obviously Sucek making those late runs into the box and his aerial ability is amazing and him just popping up with random gold as well I think is so useful for us.
00:15:22
Jacob
Yeah, I would be tempted to have... I think i think we have been playing it more of a 4-1, 4-1 with Suchek and Paquetta given that license with Alvarez sitting behind. I like that, to be honest, because we can clearly see what Suchek can do when he arrives late in the box. So, yeah, for sure.
00:15:52
Jacob
Um, I think, I think you'll probably go along those lines. Um, so yeah. All right, then we're gonna head to a quick outbreak and we'll be back with some predictions, I think.
00:16:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
You want to jump ahead with the predictions when we haven't actually done our attackers yet. I
Attacking Lineup and Predictions
00:16:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know if you if you want to if you don't want to play with an attack.
00:16:40
Jacob
Oh shit, yeah, I completely forgot. No, no, no, it's fine.
00:16:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's fine. but I think our chances of winning the game go down by quite a lot.
00:16:44
Jacob
It's fine. No, I mean, we, we probably should go quite defensive anyway. So maybe, you know, six, six at the back just to be safe.
00:16:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Six at the back.
00:16:56
Jacob
Um, but no, we don't, unfortunately.
00:16:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Do we have enough setbacks for that?
00:17:00
Jacob
Um, go on then. I want to hear yours first this time.
00:17:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. um it It kind of writes itself, doesn't it? I think with Kudos being out, it's a great opportunity for Somerville.
00:17:12
Jacob
Mm hmm.
00:17:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's someone that has come on and made cameos and I think he's looked decent. I think the one thing that sticks in my mind the most is when he came on against City and he had that brilliant chance right at the death that forced a really good save out of ah Edison.
00:17:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's clear that he can mix it with the big boys. You know, it's not, it's easier said than done getting a a clear-cut opportunity against Man City. So I think he definitely has the capability of making an impact in this game. So the fact that he's definitely going to start, I don't see what else Lopateke could do. So him getting that starting spot, I think is really exciting. um Hope he plays well. He really deserves it. He's, you know, seeing so much of him in the championship, he's ready to burst onto the scene, hopefully.
00:17:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then on the other side, it's obviously Jared Bowen. I am so excited to see Jared Bowen play against whoever they've got a left back because, you know, with, with all of their left backs injured, it's either going to be, I mean, I don't even know, maybe playing Dallow on the the left, potentially they might pay the Sandra Martinez.
00:18:11
Jacob
Yeah, it was Martinez against yeah um in the European game.
00:18:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so whoever it is out there, they're not a ah natural left back. So Jarrow Bowen will mince a ah proper left back on his day. So a makeshift left back. I'm hoping that he's going to have a lot of success against them. And then up front, I think it will be Miguel Antonio. For me, you could kind of pick and choose between Antonio and Ings. Either way, I wouldn't be too enamored with the choice, but I also wouldn't complain too much. It's difficult when, you know, ah who we want to be our our main striker still isn't fit. And it seems like it just keeps getting pushed further and further back. I don't even think he's going to be on the bench. I don't think he's fit enough to even do that, which is frustrating. So, so yeah, I think it will be Somerville, Antonio Bowen, which I don't think is terrible to be honest. Like if you look at Man United's back line, it's relatively shaky to be honest. I don't think they've looked
00:19:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
massively defensively strong in any of the games that they've played. You know, that the keeper is very hit and miss. I know he's capable of a really good save. And then I think he's also capable of a blunder. So, so yeah, they're, that Man United backline is, is definitely there for the taking. and And I just hope that we can take them. ah what What do you think was your frontline going to be?
00:19:34
Jacob
Yeah, ah I mean, mine's exactly the same as yours with Bowen, Antonio, Somerville, but there is always the chance he could go a little bit rogue. You know, maybe he'll try more of a 4-4-2 perhaps. I'm almost certain he's not going to do this, but you know, there's always the possibility he could try with um Antonio and Bowen up front.
00:20:04
Jacob
with Paquetta playing as a, you know, left mid, left winger and Somerville on the right. Potentially, that that's an idea. I think it's very, very unlikely he's going to go with anything but Antonio Bowen, Somerville. Yeah, like you said, I think Bowen should be able to expose that left back position quite well.
00:20:30
Jacob
you know, not not a recognised left-back currently fit in their team. So I'm sure he'll he'll be our main danger man. um And yeah, it probably is a toss-up with Ings and Antonio.
00:20:45
Jacob
I do think there should be a little bit more rotation between the two and because, you know, what what use is Ings at the moment to us?
00:20:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah I completely agree.
00:20:57
Jacob
None at all. We might as well not have it because the minutes he does come on, he he has no chance to make any impact. And we have seen, you know, his finishing ability. So maybe he's not the best striker to go up against the likes of the Licht. You know, just thinking size and strength wise. But yeah, i think it I think it's quite obvious what what it will go for.
00:21:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I agree. It's such an opportunity to reclaim our form, basically, because it seems like it's being so tumultuous in the the way that we've...
00:21:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah just the whole vibe around the club. it It just seems so rocky right now.
00:21:52
Jacob
yeah
00:21:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this is such a good chance to kind of shut up a load of the noise around what's been happening with the club. but So, so yeah, okay. Let's talk about our predictions. We made predictions in the previous podcasts with Kieran from the, the Man United GSPN podcast.
00:22:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Has your opinion changed after that recent Europa League game for Man United, or is it still the same?
00:22:11
Jacob
Yeah. Um, my heart says a two one win. Um, But my head says 1-1, to be honest.
00:22:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, right.
00:22:27
Jacob
um
00:22:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
You got a juice one.
00:22:30
Jacob
I'm going to go 1-1 and then any anything else we get.
00:22:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's nice, Ron, is it?
00:22:35
Jacob
No, I know. But I'm being realistic at the moment with maybe 1-1.
00:22:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:42
Jacob
We would honestly take a 1-1 right now against Man United. um Yeah.
00:22:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah One one where we play well is is acceptable, definitely.
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:22:49
Jacob
Yeah, yeah not not one where we have endless chances and can't take them and concede a sloppy goal or a mistake.
00:22:57
Jacob
That isn't the kind of draw we want. We want a hard-fought point that we can be happy and proud with. So, yeah, I think i think a draw, I think realistically is, you know, it's a step up.
00:23:13
Jacob
So, yeah, I could see ah ah could see a one-one. What do you think?
00:23:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah i the logic is fair but i honestly i'm gonna i might actually so i said in the last podcast that we've been mentioning i said one one oh no i said one nil sorry um i thought we were going to win one new it was going to be a we were going to get the first goal and it was going to get really cagey i still think the same but i'm actually going to change it to two nil that might seem maybe overly confident but i
00:23:30
Jacob
Mm hmm.
00:23:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I have to find some confidence from somewhere. And if you look at the ah kind of firestorm that's been happening around Man United for so long, like it's the the whole atmosphere around their club is so poor at the moment.
00:23:50
Jacob
yeah
00:24:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you know with that recent Europa League result, now is the time to capitalize from a West End point of view. So I'm hoping that we can get the first goal and then the game will kind of freeze up, it'll get a bit scrappy and then towards the end of the second half, I think then we we double the lead and the game just kind of dies off from there. but That's going to be my prediction.
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I hope it happens like that. If I was going to use my head like you, I might be slightly more reserved. But you've got to back the boys at some point. You know, I don't want to just sit here and be constantly doom and gloom. And and I get how it probably seems slightly deluded that I'm predicting us to beat Man United 2-0 after we've just lost 4-1 to Spurs in the way we did. But like things change in in football a lot and we do have the quality and we have the players. and and with some of your coming on, I think you'll have a point to prove and Jared Bowen playing against a makeshift left back is gonna be something that we can definitely exploit. So so yeah, I think my my reasons are ah pretty valid to be honest, what do you think?
00:25:06
Jacob
yeah i think i mean i i hope we have a more positive post-match review than we did for the last game and i think if it isn't i think i might just give up to be honest um i might just stop watching a yeah
00:25:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's tough, isn't it? The the pressure is is just not pleasant, being like, you know, we've we've supported West Ham for our whole lives and we've been present to so much kind of lackluster middle of the road.
00:25:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, this is a bit rubbish. But now it feels like we really are on the precipice of leveling up as a club. So if we continue to stagnate, it really does feel like stagnation, which
00:25:50
Jacob
Yeah.
00:25:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
it definitely doesn't have to be. So as long as we play well, I don't want us to capitulate. I want a good performance and I want to build a bit of momentum. We could lose and it could still be like a relatively okay post-match analysis. As long as we play well and as long as we put a good performance and we can see what we were trying to do.
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because if you look at the season as a whole, we'd benefit from that so much more than just playing dreadfully again and getting a draw. You know, because obviously one point is good, but for the overall season, it just continues the kind of negative vibe
00:26:25
Jacob
Yeah.
Conclusion
00:26:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
around the team.
00:26:32
Jacob
Okay. Yeah, that seems like a good place to cut it. Um, so thank you all very much for watching or listening, uh, to the GSPN West Ham daily podcast. Say goodbye, Thomas.
00:26:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Goodbye, good luck, come on boys.
00:26:52
Jacob
Um, please rate this podcast five stars and check out our social media, which is all and linked in the description. Um, also all the other podcasts linked under the GSP and network, um, like the fantasy football pods, the women's football pod and wrap ups, um, in multiple languages and all the other daily premier league team pod pods as well. Um, thank you very much for listening.