Can I delete unplayed synced podcast from iPhone directly?

i think i've noticed this problem specifically with podcasts that are marked 'unplayed' or 'partially played' on the iphone whereby even if you manually delete them from the phone they will still stay in itunes on your mac and hence be synced back onto the phone until you actually listen or scroll completely through the podcast on the iphone (or ipod?) whereby they will be deleted.

i've been looking for ways to change this behavior but have so far been unsuccessful in doing so. if anyone has any ideas let us know.

i often want to delete podcasts on the iphone that i am not interested in listening to.