Football Pundits

Shoot

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So Gary Neville has edged Roy Keane as the king of the pundits.
Neville was really good as a pundit for a few years but I think he has regressed. He has got carried away with his own hype and has become overly opinionated in areas where he would be better piping down.
Roy Keane is often trying far too hard to be controversial, clearly see's that as his punditry USP. I'm not convinced they deserve to occupy spots 1 & 2

 
I can’t think of anyone I’d rather listen to ahead of G. Nev though. Who would you go for as a better pundit?

I don’t rate Keane at all though. Think him and Souness just try to see who can be most outlandish.
 
I like Rio and think Robbie Savage is pretty good too which would suggest I'm preferring BT over Sky these days.
Shearer is always good on MOTD.
 
Savage’s voice grates on me and I haven’t watched match of the day for years so couldn’t really comment. Jenas is generally considered quite good from the BBC though.
 
Jenas in my opinion is useless and sometimes Neville's voice grates on me, talking through his feckin nose!
 
Neville and Carragher are the ones I enjoy listening to the most. They have some good banter so as a partnership they are the best. Neville being the better of the two. Also warmed to Shearer over the years on BBC. Evra is also promising.

I actually quite enjoy listening to Keane mainly because you’re wondering who he’s gonna rip into next. He’s better than most in my opinion.

Some of the absolutely worst are Souness, Redknapp, Sutton and Owen. Also while they don’t often do punditry on matches, Paul Merson and Charlie Nicholas are the dregs of punditry.
 
Neville and Carragher (talk about a voice that grates on you) are not a patch on the Alan Hansen & Jimmy Hill combination
 
All the match of the day ones are terrible, Jenas is ok. But Shearer/Murphey/Lineker/Wright/Keown, theylet their predujices re: utd come in too often. I think it's about time they broke this team up. Get Gabby or Chappers to present it. Bring in some new younger pundits.

I don't think they really know what they are talking about, it always seems to me they are reading a researchers text. I can't believe Shearer is on TV with his awful grammer, "he should of went down the wing"

On the radio, Chris Sutton is worse than anyone I have ever seen or heard. Savage is ok, but he won't let a point go, he'll bang on about it a bit too long.

Don't have Sky or BT. But from the little bits I have seen, Rio seems ok.

Ah, thought of one, Hoddle, he's quite good. Think he;s just been sacked though.

Waddle, he's not too bad.
 
The BT lot aren't the best. I like Neville, he talks sense and has really good knowledge.

I haven't wanted MOTD for years either, don't even know why not but the start music used to literally annoy the hell out of me. I had to mute it in the end. Probably my grumpy old man syndrome. I might start watching again this season as I know nothing about any other teams anymore, except when they play Utd.
 
The BT lot aren't the best. I like Neville, he talks sense and has really good knowledge.

I haven't wanted MOTD for years either, don't even know why not but the start music used to literally annoy the hell out of me. I had to mute it in the end. Probably my grumpy old man syndrome. I might start watching again this season as I know nothing about any other teams anymore, except when they play Utd.
Aye, yer a bit of a grumpy bollocks, it has to be said.
That’s the reason I still watch MOTD so I maintain a reasonable grasp on the other teams.
The only full games I tend to watch are United or games that may have a big effect on us, and cup finals and the like.
Folk who watch all the other teams in England, Spain, Germany etc, I don’t know where they find the fecking time, or the will. So MOTD is my condensed version of the PL.
 
BT is awful in general, the coverage of the final the other night was terrible, more adverts than analysis. Overall, their pundits are mostly poor, hate the matey "Fletch and Macca" stuff, Jake Humphrey an awful presenter. I'm not even sure it's entirely the pundits fault, think it's BT Sport Football themselves, it's all a bit Talksport/banter. I can't stand it and frankly I think football is worse in this country for them being involved unlike their rugby coverage which is very good and actually adds something to the game to make it more enjoyable and interesting to listen to, whereas the football coverage makes me want to turn it off.

On Sky, I do think they could do better with their coverage too at times. Monday Night Football I find is the pinnacle of football coverage in this country, excellent in-depth analysis of games from the weekend on there where you can learn a thing or two that I just don't see enough at other times. I think Gary is still the best pundit but do feel he tries too hard to be unbiased when talking about United, particularly when commentating on our games and it's frustrating as he talks so well on other teams.

Overall I've been really disappointed with the coverage of football produced by UK broadcasters of late. I don't think it's been good enough for the biggest sport in the country. I watch other sports and wonder why football can't do it. I sometimes see football coverage from other countries and think they do a better job.
 
BT is awful in general, the coverage of the final the other night was terrible, more adverts than analysis. Overall, their pundits are mostly poor, hate the matey "Fletch and Macca" stuff, Jake Humphrey an awful presenter. I'm not even sure it's entirely the pundits fault, think it's BT Sport Football themselves, it's all a bit Talksport/banter. I can't stand it and frankly I think football is worse in this country for them being involved unlike their rugby coverage which is very good and actually adds something to the game to make it more enjoyable and interesting to listen to, whereas the football coverage makes me want to turn it off.

On Sky, I do think they could do better with their coverage too at times. Monday Night Football I find is the pinnacle of football coverage in this country, excellent in-depth analysis of games from the weekend on there where you can learn a thing or two that I just don't see enough at other times. I think Gary is still the best pundit but do feel he tries too hard to be unbiased when talking about United, particularly when commentating on our games and it's frustrating as he talks so well on other teams.

Overall I've been really disappointed with the coverage of football produced by UK broadcasters of late. I don't think it's been good enough for the biggest sport in the country. I watch other sports and wonder why football can't do it. I sometimes see football coverage from other countries and think they do a better job.
In terms of commentary and the quality of added crowd noise to create some atmosphere during games for us at home BT have shit all over Sky.
They really have done a good job there is simply a bias towards Sky because it's what everyone was used to and we dont change too easily.
 
In terms of commentary and the quality of added crowd noise to create some atmosphere during games for us at home BT have shit all over Sky.
They really have done a good job there is simply a bias towards Sky because it's what everyone was used to and we dont change too easily.

Think the crowd noise stuff came from uefa it was much much better for european games than the PL stuff but they did have more time to prep it into sounding like a real crowd.

I’m disappointed in BT for not sticking a journalists on the panel for some games they do a really good goal show during the regular tournaments with pundits who are specialist reporters from top league so they know their stuff.

The wheeling out of Paul Ince was infuriating he just made a tit of himself night after night it did feel like all the main guys were on holiday and unavailable.

Think both broadcasters have strengths and weaknesses I think the in game commentary on Sky is much better than BT, presenters I’d say Sky edge it (can’t stand Jake Humphries) and pundits I’d say it’s a mixed bag for both. I do think both would benefit massively by changing the setup to have a non player on their panel. With ex players it all becomes a bit to matey.
 
Sky have just announced Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas are all leaving. Big shake up of the soccer Saturday line up for next season.

Guessing they all earned a lot of money doing 1 days work plus the odd goals on Sunday appearance.

Sky have also ditched Sunday Supplement from the schedule think with the growth of podcasts and general death of print media has made the format a bit dated. I wonder if some of the regular guests on it might find their way on to other shows rather than separate journalists and pundits combine them and watch them go at it seems to be more common in other countries.
 
Sky have just announced Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas are all leaving. Big shake up of the soccer Saturday line up for next season.

Guessing they all earned a lot of money doing 1 days work plus the odd goals on Sunday appearance.

Sky have also ditched Sunday Supplement from the schedule think with the growth of podcasts and general death of print media has made the format a bit dated. I wonder if some of the regular guests on it might find their way on to other shows rather than separate journalists and pundits combine them and watch them go at it seems to be more common in other countries.
Be interesting to see who will be stepping into these positions, fresh young blood presumably. Been trying to think of recently retired players for candidates but struggling.
 
Be interesting to see who will be stepping into these positions, fresh young blood presumably. Been trying to think of recently retired players for candidates but struggling.

I think they might try to get Micah Richards on it he’s got a bit of personality to him that the show needs as it’s basically watching people watch football so you need someone who’s up for a laugh and can be a bit load but Richards is also a decent pundit.

Think they might introduce a female voice as well I guess Alex Scott would be the obvious one as she’s already been a pundit for them.
 
Can’t believe Merson survived the cull, granted I haven’t watched Soccer Saturday for a few years but can’t say he brought much to the party. He mispronounced a few names and made some weird noises but not much great insight.

It definitely needed a freshen up. Would be nice to get some younger guys in there who have just left the game.

Micah Richards is a good shout and maybe someone like Evra if he wants the gig?
 
Think they might introduce a female voice as well I guess Alex Scott would be the obvious one as she’s already been a pundit for them.
Isn’t she tied into the BBC though? She’s one of the faces on my BBC app when you first log in. I do agree though she would be a good coup as she’s good to listen to and is very knowledgeable.
 
Isn’t she tied into the BBC though? She’s one of the faces on my BBC app when you first log in. I do agree though she would be a good coup as she’s good to listen to and is very knowledgeable.

Think she’s like Richards works on a freelance basis as she also does work on BBC, Sky and on international broadcasts so Sky would likely need to get her to sign an exclusive deal. I guess they might want to remain as front line pundits rather than take this role which on Sky is a bit of a B team roll.

It might become more of a revolving panel of pundits rather than the same faces every week.

I think it needed a reboot a new generation to come through theses boys had a very good run of it but media needs to remain current.
 
I don't watch Sky, but when I do catch it, it does seem like a load of middle aged white blokes, doing and saying blokey things. But isn't that football programs all over?

It needs diversity, and youth. MoTD needs an overhaul.
 
Football programs are hitting the diversity button very often. What it needs are people that can analyse football, white, black, Asian, male or female? Why does it matter the colour of the persons skin or gender if they’re good at analysing the game?
 
Football programs are hitting the diversity button very often. What it needs are people that can analyse football, white, black, Asian, male or female? Why does it matter the colour of the persons skin or gender if they’re good at analysing the game?

It matters if you are a child of one of those colours/genders and you never see anyone like you on the shows. But of course it shouldn't just be hit the numbers, they need to know their stuff.
 
Or are they giving opportunity to new voices?

I just think the show had become out of touch the ex players were all from a long gone era they aren’t in touch with the modern game anymore. It was time for a change they’ve kept the presenter and the youngest pundit in Merson I think it’s time for fresh blood. The banter between the lads had become a bit sterile it needed a new injection.

I’d love to see Danny Higginbotham on it he’s a great pundit does his homework and takes his job seriously.
 
Rio, Cole, Evra, Richards, Ince, Wright, Crooks are all regularly on television.

It’s a shame 3 of them are awful.

There’s probably others I turn my TV on at the start of games and off when they finish and don’t watch much of the punditry rubbish would rather be discussing the game with others. But there is representation.
 
I only watch MoTD, so you have Wright and sometimes Jenas. And even less Alex Scott.

I thin my problem with the normal few, Lineker, Shearer and wright. They don't really offer much, it's all matey and easy. Like painting by numbers.

I have said for years Gabby should be Motd presenter, but maybe her time has passed too.

Maybe Scott should head it, and get some younger pundits in. I'd quite like some foreigners who have played overseas to get their different approach.

Get Iniesta or Xavi for example. Assuming they can speak English. No club bias and a different eye.

I think it needs a change anyway.
 
Punditry isn’t an exact science you have different styles most are marmite some love them some hate them take people like Mark Lawrenson, Alan Hansen, Chris Sutton or Robbie Savage. Chances are if you’ve done it for a long time you will have annoyed your audience at some point. I can’t stand Redknapp he literally offers no insight into the game.

I couldn’t stand Shearer when he started out but he’s got much better I think Linekar, Shearer and Wright work really well as a little group on match of the day.

Jones, Carragher and Neville are great as the 3 man panel on the Monday night football.

Kelly Cates is a great presenter much better than Rachel Riley was when she had a go at it just didn’t work for her.

I think Micah Richards would be very good on the soccer Saturday panel he’s quick witted not afraid to say what he thinks and call people out.
 
I can't stand Gabby Logan.

What has Scott done to show she should head the BBC's flagship program? Isn't that just giving her the job because she's black and female rather than on any ability?

I doubt Xavi and Iniesta know that much about the English game. La Liga and The premier league are like two different sports at times. Plus i'm sure Xavi is busy managing a club and Iniesta busy managing his wine fields and playing football in Japan.

I'm a big fan of Richards. Him arguing with Keane about bursting on to the scene was excellent TV.

Is it just the 3 Sky have got rid of? I'd love it if they 'literally' pushed Redknapp out the door. Still haven't forgiven him for when he said Rooney is literally on fire. A few moe Redknapp literallyisms for you.

“He literally chopped him in half in that challenge”
“The ball literally gave him a haircut.”
“Alonso and Sissoko have been picked to literally sit in front of the back four.”
“He’s literally just eaten the fourth official.”
"He’s literally turned him inside out."
“[Michael Owen] literally turns into a greyhound”
“Scholes has such a great footballing brain. He’ll see a picture in his head and literally paint it in front of you.”
“Center forwards have the ability to make time stand still. And when Chopra got the ball, it literally did just that.”
“He had to cut back inside onto his left, because he literally hasn’t got a right foot”
“He’s literally sold the defender a dummy”
'These balls now - they literally explode off your feet.'
“The crowd behind the goal are literally going insane.”
 
I mentioned Scott as I think a female lead might stop all the macho football BS. That's whu I though Gabby in the past. She's not got any experience but it didn't stop them giving it to Lineker.

And I thought about an overseas player exactly because they don't know the league. It would be fresh eyes just on the football. Not what it used to be like when I played blah blah. The two I mentioned were just examples. Any quality player from overseas.
 
The macho football bs? It’s a program about football. It’s part of the game. It’s an escapism from real life. Not every aspect of the world needs to cater to everyone. The absurd need to make sure every show hits gender and racial equality standards isn’t needed. It’s a TV show about football. Not an eastenders drama.

There should be a bit of needle between the presenters. They’re going for the mate down the pub discussion. That’s their USP.

Some of them need moving on as time catches up with everyone but I think Linerkar has done an excellent job at leading it and moving on from him would just be to cater to those that need a reason to complain.
 
Maybe you're right, maybe that is what they're after. I hate it.

I just want the match analysed.

Why would it be catering to anyone. It's my opinion, he's gone past his time. It's nothing to do with a reason to complain. You don't have to bring everything down to being woke you know. We can not like people or shows just because we don't like them.
 
I’m not the one who brought the need for race or gender to decide who leads a tv show. Nothing to do with ‘being woke’ I just find this desire to bring it in to everything as odd.

I like the guy who leads the championship show on the BBC. If they were to go in another direction.
 
I don't think I really brought race into it. Unless you argue my white middle aged men, which you could. I would just say that is a fact.

I said it needs more diversity, and it does really. With a more diverse panel you get different opinion. It's about making the shows more appealing.

I mentioned two Spanish possibilities for a start.
 
Think the natural progression from Linekar is Mark Chapman probably the best sports presenter on UK TV an absolute top guy who covers multiple sports and has great in depth knowledge of all of them. Only issue there is I guess they’re a similar age.

Like I said I like the MOTD panel that show doesn’t really allow for in depth analysis as it has to cover quite a few games in a short period with little to no prep time which is why the sky Monday night show is so good as they’ve had time to review the games and look at small details.

So far it’s just those 3 who have left Sky they let Gower and Botham go from the cricket team last summer. I’m guessing those 3 were quite well paid on exclusive contracts which sky probably want to move away from and just have people who are freelancing than extent. Easy to forget these guys aren’t the originals when soccer Saturday first became huge it had George Best and Rodney Marsh players from the 60s/70s eventually they were replaced by guys from the 80s now it’s time to move forward again.

I do wonder if Le Tissier becoming a bit of a conspiracy theorist type on his social media might have helped make their decision to edge him out with the 2 older pundits.

Clive Tyldesly lost his spot as ITV lead commentator he’s been bumped to number 2 and replaced by the much younger Sam Matterface.
 

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