Don Goodman Exclusive: West Ham Have Been ‘Underwhelming’

Speaking exclusively to Casinolyze, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has admitted that West Ham United risk missing out on automatic promotion if their performances do not improve following the sacking of Nuno Espírito Santo.

Former West Brom, Sunderland and Wolves striker Goodman has also tipped table-toppers Middlesbrough as his pick for promotion alongside Southampton, whose manager Tonda Eckert will not face an FA ban for his role in ‘spygate.’ 

Following a slow start to the Premier League campaign which sees them sitting rock-bottom, Goodman explained why he is pleased to see Sunderland keep faith in manager Regis Le Bris but also maintained that there is little room for sentiment at the elite level.

Q: Who would you make favourites for promotion at this point?

DG: "Middlesbrough and Southampton are the standouts. And despite back-to-back home defeats to Southampton and West Brom, you've still got to lump West Ham in there. I think those three are generally ahead of the rest. Middlesbrough and Southampton are ticking all the boxes at the moment, and with West Ham, you suspect they'll find better consistency. They have to, with all the quality they've got. Even though they're not functioning properly yet, they've scored 33 goals in 13 games, and that shows the firepower they have at their disposal.

“It's probably good for West Ham that three of their next four games are away from home, and the match at home is against rock-bottom Preston, so you'd expect them to win that. You would expect them to start picking up with the run of fixtures coming their way.”

Q: Is this the best opportunity Boro have had for promotion since they were last relegated in 2017? What challenges will they face if that’s the case?

DG: "When you've been out of the Premier League for 10 years, people will always consider the big dogs to be the teams relegated from the PL either last season or the season before. That's just the way it goes, albeit Middlesbrough have been knocking at the door. Look, I think they missed an amazing opportunity last season. The general standard of the Championship last season was lower than it is this year. But maybe it was for the best, because if they had gone up last season, would they have been ready? Would Steve Gibson have committed as much money as the likes of Coventry, Hull, and Ipswich have done? I'm really not so sure.

“So maybe another season of building, as painful as it was to lose at Wembley the way they did, maybe it was for the best. This version of Middlesbrough has improved on last year's. There's no doubt about it. They've got a lethal striker in Will Lankshear, and they've got much more depth to cope with injuries and suspensions. They're unbeaten in 11 since losing their second game away at Blackburn Rovers. I've watched Middlesbrough just get better and better as they hit their stride. I'm convinced if Middlesbrough played Blackburn at Ewood Park tomorrow, they'd probably win reasonably comfortably. They're in a really good place and a really good vein of form.

“They've got Swansea, Southampton, and West Ham coming up in their next seven games . If they're still at the top after that little run, I don't see anything stopping Middlesbrough, to be honest with you.”

Q: Have your concerns regarding Swansea City been proven true? 

DG: "Yeah, we can judge them better now. The problem for Swansea is that because they did so well early on, they were being spoken about as a top-two challenger. My concern wasn't whether they were a good team, but whether they would be able to sustain a top-two push over a 46-game season. I didn't think they would, and I still don't think they will. From what I've seen, I'd say they're almost a shoo-in for a top-eight finish because they are a very good side.

“When you consider who their three defeats have been against, Southampton, West Ham, and Queens Park Rangers, they've lost those three games by an aggregate of 9–1. I just think the top two is going to be ever so slightly beyond them, but I would definitely have them down for a top-eight slot.”

Q: West Ham and Wolves fans have expressed surprise that they are currently sitting third and fourth following poor performances, what does it say about the division?

DG: "It's encouraging for them both, but they really should be in those positions. Despite their positions in the table, Wolves and West Ham have both been a bit underwhelming. It's a phrase I keep using to describe them.

“Every now and again, they'll chuck in a brilliant performance and you think, ‘Here we go,’ and then they flatter to deceive again. It's underwhelming in terms of their overall consistency and performance levels, not necessarily the results, certainly in Wolves' case, but the performance levels.

“Of course, there are exceptions. They have played well on occasion, but those exceptions have been few and far between. West Ham's obvious one was Wrexham, and Wolves had the Black Country derby. Neither of them have been hitting those levels on a consistent basis. What you would say is that both squads are absolutely stacked with talent for Championship level, and that's why they are where they are in the table: they have individuals who can produce a moment and win points. 

“You can only assume performance levels will improve for both of them. If either is going to make the top two, the performances will have to improve. If they don't, they'll be in the play-offs.”

Q: How important is it that Southampton can fully focus without the distraction of any ban for Tonda Eckert now?

DG: "As a club and a group of players, they've handled the uncertainty very well. While my view on the record is that Tonda got lucky with the punishment, there's no question that being able to draw a line in the sand now, can only help because of the certainty that it is a suspended punishment that is highly unlikely to be breached or activated.

“There's no doubt that when you remove the controversy from it, Tonda Eckert is a very talented man. I'm covering the West Brom game tomorrow night, and in my prep, I totted up his Championship record. With that win against QPR at the weekend, he has completed his 46th game, a full Championship season. 

“Across 46 games, he has 95 points. There is only one season in history where that doesn't get you automatically promoted, and unfortunately Sheffield United suffered from that when Leeds and Burnley both hit 100 points. They're on track, there's no doubt about it, and being able to draw a line in the sand will help without hesitation.”
Q: Is it a case of more of the same for Birmingham City and Chris Davies?

DG: "They're in a really good place, and literally every comparison against last season is favourable. They've got five more points at this stage, they've scored eight more goals, and they've conceded two fewer. There's no doubt that a little tweak in style has particularly helped on the road. They've gone from the fourth-worst away record to having the joint-best alongside West Brom.

“They get the ball forward quicker, they're better in transitions, and they're very strong at set pieces. It's a good mix. On top of that, they've just got their first two home wins of the season. They had drawn every home game until the last two, where they've picked up back-to-back wins. So yes, they simply need to keep doing what they're doing.

Q: How impressed, if not surprised, have you been by Blackburn Rovers so far?

DG: "You've got to give credit to Tony Mowbray. Everybody in football loves Tony Mowbray, and what he's doing there in the face of adversity is phenomenal. 

“There's no doubt about it, he's managing a football club with his hands tied behind his back, and he manages that better than almost anybody else. That's down to his character. He's not fighting the owners or the directors of football; he's getting on with his job to the best of his ability.

“They didn't have a great day at the weekend, losing 4–0 away at Swansea, but I said before a ball was kicked that I didn't think they'd be in a relegation battle, and I stand by that. They've had a tough run of fixtures, especially away games against Wolves, West Brom, and Swansea. Eighteen points from your first 13 games is a good return for a club facing the difficulties Blackburn are dealing with off the pitch.
“They've got a couple of tough games next at home to Stoke and West Ham, but after that, they have six in a row against teams in the bottom half. I'd expect them to continue their decent form against sides in the bottom half, they've taken 10 points from five such games so far. So, no worries at all about Blackburn.

Q: Can Pompey maintain this position in what would be clear progress for John Mousinho and the club?

DG: "I've said all along that at this stage in the club's history, Championship consolidation is a huge achievement, and I maintain that. 

“It was a difficult start, they lost three of the first four, but they've been really good since. Their run of 11 points in the last five games takes them to 19 points, just three points outside the top eight.
“I suspect John Mousinho will take a realistic view. See how quickly they can get to 50 points, and then reassess their ambitions based on how many games are left. But for me, at this moment in their history, it's about consolidation in this division and nothing else.”

Q: Sheffield United have had an interesting season. Off the pitch, there's been turbulence, yet they're 10th after a couple of good results. How would you view it if you were Chris Wilder?

DG: "I actually had a good chat with Chris last week when I covered their game against Wrexham, and it was clear how challenging things have been for him these last few months.

“They lost 17 goal contributions from Gustavo Hamer, 16 from Callum O'Hare, and eight from Andre Brooks. All that creativity was stripped away, and that's largely where their struggles have come from this season.

Those sales brought in well over £20 million, but they've only been able to recruit free transfers and loans. When you consider they finished 13th last season, sold their three best players, and haven't realistically been able to replace them, where should expectations lie? It certainly shouldn't be challenging for the top two or even the top eight. 

“If Chris can keep this group in and around the play-off picture, then under the circumstances, he will have done a magnificent job.”

Q: Cardiff City lost to Wolves at the weekend, but prior to that, they were on a better run. Last time we spoke, you were complimentary of their performances. Do you think that's starting to be mirrored more in their results?

DG: "They lost at Wolves, but they took seven points from the three games before that. When you break that match down, they lost it in the first half because they were slow out of the traps and Wolves capitalised.
“According to the data, they matched Wolves in the second half. The metrics suggest Cardiff have performed like a top-half Championship side, and that aligns with the eye test whenever I've watched them.

Although they're only five points above the relegation zone, I don't foresee any problems with a relegation battle. They're a young, energetic team that wants to get on the front foot and dominate games.

“I enjoy watching them, and in Brian Barry-Murphy, they have an excellent young head coach.”

Q: Have you been impressed by Bolton Wanderers and Steven Schumacher?

DG: "If you go to watch Bolton Wanderers, you know you're in for a terrific match. They have been all season. They're a great watch.
“I suspect Steven Schumacher wants them to be entertaining, but here's the issue. They are conceding way too many goals. That will prove costly over a 46-game season.

“They've conceded 26 goals in 13 games. That's two goals a game. That means you have to score three goals to win a match. That might happen occasionally, like when they won 4–3 away at Norwich, but it's rare you can rely on scoring three every week. 

“They have to become harder to score against. If they don't, I fear they could end up straight back in League One. They're great fun to watch, but they must tighten up defensively.”

Q: What was your reaction to the appointment of Fabio Celestini at Burnley after the departure of Nicky Hayen? Was that change inevitable?

DG: "Clearly Burnley were massively underachieving under Nicky Hayen with that group of players in the Championship, so I completely understand the desire for change. 

“With Fabio Celestini, only time will tell. These appointments can work, just look at the top two in the Championship. Kim Hellberg at Boro and Vítor Matos at Swansea are wonderful success stories. The flip side is that sometimes they don't, and Nicky Hayen joins the list of those that didn't work out.

“Every managerial appointment is a gamble, but after the failure of Nicky Hayen, this feels like more of a gamble than most. Having gone down that road once and failed, if Alan Pace and the hierarchy get it wrong again, the pressure from the fans will mount. There's already unrest, so this is a critical period in Burnley's history.

“When you see the likes of Craig Bellamy saying no in the summer, and rumours that Rob Edwards said no, perhaps right now it's not an attractive job for an established, seasoned Championship manager. 

“Maybe that's why they had to turn to Nicky Hayen and now Celestini. The hierarchy have only themselves to blame for putting the club in this position. At this moment, only time will tell if they’ve made the right choice.

Q: Would you have been more inclined to appoint someone with Championship experience?

DG: "As I've pointed out, attracting someone of that calibre clearly isn't easy. Do they look at League One or League Two? If they appointed someone from League One and it went wrong, the fans would be up in arms. You're on a hiding to nothing unless you can attract a Rob Edwards, a Sean Dyche, or a Scott Parker. Carlos Corberán was linked, but it quickly became clear that wasn't a runner.

“Whether it's the finances or their league position, it doesn't appear to be an attractive job right now. That's sad, because like Leicester City last season, that squad should be delivering a lot more on the pitch than they are.”

Q: Dropping down to League One, your former club Bradford City had a disappointing result at the weekend. How will Michael Duff view his start there?

DG: "Up until the weekend, when they were humbled at home by high-flying Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield, I think he would have been fairly happy. He hadn't seen his side concede a single goal in four League One games and an EFL Trophy tie. 

“To go five games without conceding and then ship three at home would have been a shock, regardless of Huddersfield Town's quality.

“When you break the game down, Bradford were probably the better team in the first half yet found themselves 1–0 down, and two quickfire goals after half-time put the game to bed. 

“What will disappoint Michael Duff most was the reaction after that third goal: they lost their poise and their discipline, with their captain Antoni Sarcevic getting sent off. 

“They've got an FA Cup first-round tie at home against Marine, who are struggling in the National League North, so Michael Duff will expect a big reaction. Prior to the weekend, he would have been reasonably pleased, but he'll want that result put behind them quickly.”

Q: Are Reading beginning to hit the heights that we are expecting them to in League One?

DG: "They're on a decent run, extending it to just one defeat in eight games. Taking a point away at a promotion rival like Plymouth is not the end of the world. You could argue that if anyone deserved to win, it was Reading. Lewis Wing hit the post, and Reading had seven of the final eight shots in the game, so they were on the front foot trying to win it.

“All in all, Liam Richardson will be fairly pleased with the opening quarter of the season. They've got some tough fixtures ahead. Oxford, who are third, Stockport who are second, and Sheffield Wednesday with their new manager. That's three of their next four games.
“If they come through that run in and around the top six, you'd fancy Reading to kick on.”

Q: Your reaction to Sheffield Wednesday sacking Henrik Pedersen and hiring Dave Challinor?

DG: "You always felt things had to go exceptionally well for Henrik at the start of this season. Given the size of the club, the recruitment they did, and the expectation of an instant return to the Championship, it needed to go better than it did. 

“The 2–0 loss away at Doncaster was the final straw, coming off the back of a 2–0 defeat at Notts County, leaving him with one win in his final six games. The manner of those defeats didn't do him any favours. It's not a huge surprise that they decided to go down a different route.

“He held that club together unbelievably well last season. However, there is no room for sentiment in football. That's why the last six clubs promoted from the Championship to the Premier League largely moved on from the players who got them there. You can't survive on sentiment, you have to be ruthless.

“Sheffield Wednesday felt they provided Henrik with a top-two or top-three League One squad, and one win in six simply wasn't sustainable. It's unfortunate because he did an incredible job previously, and hopefully he gets another opportunity elsewhere. But football moves on quickly.
“What an opportunity for Dave Challinor. I said the same about Michael Duff at Bradford, Dave is going to a huge club with full houses every week. He will have to manage the fact that Sheffield Wednesday are everybody's cup final in League One, which brings its own pressures.
“I've been championing Dave Challinor for a bigger job for years; he's finally got his chance, and I hope he succeeds.

Q: MK Dons have picked up after a slow start. What should their ambitions be now? Is it a case of keeping the momentum going and seeing where it takes them?

DG: "First, we have to praise the hierarchy at MK Dons. I love seeing patience shown to a manager, and they've been rewarded with an upturn in results.

“Everything looks rosy now, but it would have been easy to sack Paul Warne, especially after that heavy defeat a few weeks back.

I maintained all along that they weren't a million miles off; they just needed to turn those fine margin draws into wins. They drew six of their first seven games. Tight wins over Luton and Stevenage seem to have acted as the catalyst, and now they've won four of their last five.
“Confidence is sky-high, as shown by recent 4–1 and 6–1 wins. They're only four points off the play-offs. The question is whether they can sustain this momentum. They're scoring for fun, but as a newly promoted side, you have to stay grounded. If they keep scoring at this rate, they'll certainly hope to be in the mix.”

Q: How will Grant McCann be assessing things at your former club Doncaster Rovers?

DG: "You have to look at Doncaster's context over the last decade: they've spent that period moving between League One and League Two. In League Two, the expectation is to challenge at the top, but their League One budget will always be towards the lower end, making survival tough.

“I count nine former Premier League clubs in League One this season, which is as high as it's been for a long time. That's the calibre of opposition Doncaster are up against.
“Finishing 14th last season was an excellent effort after promotion. Grant McCann would love progression, but right now they're slightly behind schedule in that regard.”

Q: What are your thoughts on the early stages of Robbie Savage’s tenure at Peterborough United?

DG: "The 2–0 loss against a strong Luton side on Saturday pushed them back into the bottom four. As I said from the start, it's going to be a roller-coaster under Robbie Savage, purely because of the way he sets up his teams and how young that squad is. Under Robbie in League One, they've won one, drawn two, and lost two.

“They've shown character by scoring stoppage-time equalisers against Burton and Bromley, games you could argue they should have won.
“The two defeats came against top-of-the-table Huddersfield and fourth-placed Luton, so there's context there, but it remains a steep learning curve.”

Q: Dropping down to League Two, Cheltenham Town were in the automatic spots before the weekend. Can they sustain a promotion push under Steve Cotterill?

DG: "First of all, you have to acknowledge the unbelievable job Steve Cotterill is doing. About a year ago, they were struggling; he guided them to an 18th-place finish.
“Currently, they sit fifth, just a point outside the automatic promotion spots, which is a magnificent effort.

“However, the defeat to Tranmere means they've lost four of their last six in League Two. The data suggests there's been a levelling off in terms of what their performances actually merit. They've scored 23 goals from an expected goals (xG) figure of 17, which is ruthlessly efficient, and you have to question if that's sustainable over a 46-game season.
“More concerning are the chances they concede: 25 goals against, with only Rochdale conceding more. Unless performance metrics improve, you'd expect them to slip away from the automatic places, but hopefully Steve can keep them competitive for a play-off spot, which extends down to seventh.”
Q: How about York City - will they have promotion aspirations at the forefront of their minds?

DG: "York are doing great in their first season back in the EFL. We shouldn't be entirely surprised given recent National League promotion clubs have thrived in the EFL.
“Wrexham are in the Championship; Stockport are second in League One; Notts County and Bromley are in League One; and Barnet and Chesterfield are both pushing high up League Two.

“The issue for York is the stark disparity between their home and away form. They have the second-best home record, unbeaten with five wins and two draws, earning 17 points. Away from home, they're winless, with three draws and four defeats, which is the third-worst away record in the division. 

“Unless that away form improves, it will be difficult to sustain a challenge, but if they sort that out, they'll be right in business.

Q: A few Swindon Town supporters voiced concerns a few weeks ago. Can you understand that frustration given expectations?

DG: "If you support Swindon Town in League Two, the expectation is always to be challenging at the top end. I suspect that's Ian Holloway's expectation as well.
“But their weekend win makes it four games unbeaten—two wins and two draws—which has put them right back in contention.
“One point off the play-offs and three points off automatic promotion. If I were a Swindon fan, I'd be patient and keep getting behind the team, because they're right in the thick of it now.

Q: Bristol Rovers have fallen away dramatically after a bright start under Steve Evans. How concerning is their drop-off?

DG: "Given how they finished last season, it's surprising that after a brilliant start, they've hit this wretched run out of nowhere.
“One point from six games, with five defeats, is an absolute shocker. They're still within touching distance, but they need to snap out of it quickly before the season gets away from them. It's one of the big surprises in the EFL for me.

Q: Colchester United have dropped into the bottom two. Are you concerned about their trajectory?

DG: "Yes. There are several teams down near the bottom you'd expect to see higher up—the likes of Bristol Rovers, Port Vale, Rotherham, and Oldham. Colchester are another, particularly given the vast experience of the Cowley brothers.
“It's very worrying to see them in the bottom two.”

Q: Boreham Wood are flying in the National League, extending their lead at the top. Do you see them as an EFL club in waiting and will teams be interested in hiring Luke Garrard?

DG: "They've been a solid National League side for years, but their ambition is to be an established EFL club. With nearest rivals Harrogate and Southend dropping points, Boreham Wood scored twice late on, in the 87th and stoppage time, to turn a defeat against Hartlepool into a win, opening up a 12-point lead.

They've won nine in a row, and against teams in the top 16, they've played 10 and won all 10. It would be one of the biggest shocks in football if they don't end up in the EFL next season; they've been brilliant.

"Given how they're performing and the style of football they're playing, it's impossible that Luke Garrard hasn't caught the eye of EFL clubs. His reputation is growing rapidly. It's a great story because he played the vast majority of his career there.
“Boreham Wood will probably have to fend off approaches for him, but that comes with the territory when you're successful.”

Q: Would you make Celtic favourites for the SPL title at this point and if so, how strong?

DG: "The odds for Celtic can't be any better than 50-50 right now. Rangers are on a long unbeaten run, while Celtic, across all competitions, have lost six and drawn one of their last 10 games, winning just three. Playing in Europe is different to the SPL, but defeats still erode confidence.

“I'd be flabbergasted if there has been a comparable run in Celtic's recent history where they've lost six in 10. That momentum needs shifting quickly.
“The longer it goes on, the lower confidence drops, and without performances, you don't win matches. Martin O'Neill will know that better than anybody.”

Q: Everton had a good cup win in midweek. How good an opportunity is this for them to push for silverware, even with the distraction around Jack Grealish?

DG: "Grealish didn't play in the cup win and isn't involved in the league fixture, so they've shown they can cope without him. They actually remind me a bit of Newcastle when they won the Carabao Cup. although Everton haven't gone quite as long without a major trophy, it's still been a huge drought.

“Having drawn Fleetwood in the quarter-final, Everton fans will be eyeing the 14th of December, hoping their quality prevails against a resilient Fleetwood Town. If they get through, they'll hope for a favourable semi-final draw.
“Liverpool, Bournemouth, and Man City are still in the competition, but Newcastle had to beat high-calibre teams, beating Liverpool in the final, when they won it. 

“That should serve as Everton's motivation. Why not them, if things fall into place?”

Q: How should Daniel Farke be viewing the season with Leeds sat in an impressive seventh prior to the weekend?

DG: "He'll be disappointed to lose at Bournemouth given they were the better side until Bournemouth scored in the 31st minute. Leeds should have been ahead—Dominic Calvert-Lewin had one ruled out for handball, which was unlucky, though I felt he should have scored with the initial opportunity before the rebound hit his arm.

“Overall, it's been a decent start. They've remained very difficult to beat, maintaining the form they've shown since last December. Three of their next five games are at home, where they remain unbeaten, facing Spurs, Coventry, and Ipswich. There will be cautious optimism that this start can get even better.

“It was crucial for them to get off to a good start to maintain the momentum built in the second half of last season. They've done that, but they can't rest on their laurels because there are no easy games at this level.

Their next two away games are against Chelsea and Manchester City. Spurs at home won't be easy, and Coventry and Ipswich will scrap for everything. It's entirely possible in this leage to go five games without a win, at which point they’d be looking over their shoulder.
“Conversely, if they take a healthy points return, a top-seven or top-eight finish is realistic, especially since many rivals will be juggling European commitments. Daniel Farke has been around long enough to know how quickly things change in the Premier League, so he won't let complacency creep in.”

Q: On Sunderland, reports suggest Régis Le Bris retains the full backing of the board. What's your reaction to that?

DG: "It's pleasing, but as I said, sentiment is in short supply in the football world. As brilliant a job as he has done, their next four games are Chelsea, Aston Villa, Spurs, and Liverpool, alongside European fixtures. If they don't pick up points, that vote of confidence can evaporate very quickly.

“Régis Le Bris is experienced enough to recognise that the Premier League must remain the absolute priority. It's fantastic to see Sunderland back in Europe after so many decades, but they cannot afford for European competition to cost them their top-flight status. They're within touching distance right now, but you don't want to reach a point where you need three consecutive wins just to bridge a gap to the teams above.”

Q: How concerned are you by Sunderland's recent performances?

DG: "In the first few matches, the data and the eye test showed they were playing well and deserved more points—they even gave Manchester City a fright in that 5–3 defeat at the Etihad. But the alarm bells are ringing over the last few matches.

“Losing away at Bournemouth is tough, and drawing with Leeds at home was an opportunity missed, but the 3–1 defeat at Coventry was a real disappointment. After the City game, they faced Brighton, Bournemouth, Leeds, and Coventry. Last season, when they played, they showed an ability to dig in and grind out points even when second best. That resilience has been missing lately, and that's what sets the alarm bells ringing.”

Q: Is it too easy to pin those struggles on European commitments, or is that a genuine factor?

DG: "It's no coincidence. Look at last season: Spurs were in Europe and finished 17th; Nottingham Forest were in Europe and finished 16th; Crystal Palace were in Europe and finished 15th. Newcastle finished 12th. Chelsea finished 10th and were the highest-placed team in Europe outside Arsenal, Man City, and Liverpool. Meanwhile, Manchester United finished third without European distraction, coincidence. I don’t think so!

“Spurs, Forest, and Palace were all embroiled in relegation scraps while balancing European schedules. It's certainly not a coincidence that a club like Sunderland would find that balance difficult. Everyone expected it to be challenging, but I doubt they anticipated sitting bottom of the table after nine games and facing this much pressure.”