I’d rather listen to that Kyle Martino than most of the British pundits, 90% of them are garbage

Television coverage just doesn’t doesn’t reflect the fact that the game is *far* more technical and intelligent than it was even 20 years ago.

Maybe the networks acknowledge this internally, and are happy catering to the casual fan. Maybe they’re just employing entertainers over analysts. Or maybe they don’t realise that Souness screaming about “desire”, “being first to the ball”, and “passion” isn’t really a very rich picture of what’s actually going on in elite football matches, and they’re just employing the wrong people.
—————

I’ve thought about this and wonder if they’re actually instructed to “keep it simple” - perhaps if they move too far away from accessible ideas like “passion”, “confidence” and “quality” and into more technical realms, there’s a certain kind of viewer that might be alienated.

Rosso

“desire”, “being first to the ball”, and “passion” is sometimes useful, even in today's football.

Wednesday night could be a good example of this if United are either 1-0 up or 0-1 down with 15 mins to go.

comment by Clockwork Red (U4892)
posted 40 seconds ago
Television coverage just doesn’t doesn’t reflect the fact that the game is *far* more technical and intelligent than it was even 20 years ago.

Maybe the networks acknowledge this internally, and are happy catering to the casual fan. Maybe they’re just employing entertainers over analysts. Or maybe they don’t realise that Souness screaming about “desire”, “being first to the ball”, and “passion” isn’t really a very rich picture of what’s actually going on in elite football matches, and they’re just employing the wrong people.
—————

I’ve thought about this and wonder if they’re actually instructed to “keep it simple” - perhaps if they move too far away from accessible ideas like “passion”, “confidence” and “quality” and into more technical realms, there’s a certain kind of viewer that might be alienated.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I think so.

There's loads if detailed analysis and stat work on other platforms and podcasts.

It amazes me that some people seem unable to take on board that you actually get to choose what you watch, read and listen to.

Garth Crooks

Oh and listening to Lees Dixon co-commentate is about as bad as it gets, with his constant self deprecating anecdotes

comment by Clockwork Red (U4892)
posted 54 seconds ago
Television coverage just doesn’t doesn’t reflect the fact that the game is *far* more technical and intelligent than it was even 20 years ago.

Maybe the networks acknowledge this internally, and are happy catering to the casual fan. Maybe they’re just employing entertainers over analysts. Or maybe they don’t realise that Souness screaming about “desire”, “being first to the ball”, and “passion” isn’t really a very rich picture of what’s actually going on in elite football matches, and they’re just employing the wrong people.
—————

I’ve thought about this and wonder if they’re actually instructed to “keep it simple” - perhaps if they move too far away from accessible ideas like “passion”, “confidence” and “quality” and into more technical realms, there’s a certain kind of viewer that might be alienated.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Whether it’s conscious or otherwise, that’s where it’s at.

You just don’t get technical and tactical analysis on TV. Not that I’ve seen anywhere, at least.

GNev and Carragher get about as close as you’ll probably see. Even then, they’re usually only really scraping the surface.

I always think Pat Nevin sounds drunk!! 🤣

comment by RB&W - Always a Legacy (U21434)
posted 1 minute ago
Rosso

“desire”, “being first to the ball”, and “passion” is sometimes useful, even in today's football.

Wednesday night could be a good example of this if United are either 1-0 up or 0-1 down with 15 mins to go.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course they are.

Babbling on about them for ten minutes doesn’t represent analysis though; it’s no more than a description of the bleeding obvious.

comment by rosso - time to #takefootballback #GlazersOut (U17054)
posted 2 seconds ago
comment by RB&W - Always a Legacy (U21434)
posted 1 minute ago
Rosso

“desire”, “being first to the ball”, and “passion” is sometimes useful, even in today's football.

Wednesday night could be a good example of this if United are either 1-0 up or 0-1 down with 15 mins to go.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course they are.

Babbling on about them for ten minutes doesn’t represent analysis though; it’s no more than a description of the bleeding obvious.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree.

Have you ever played in an important Cup Final ?

Don’t mind the MOTD pundits as they keep it high level. Struggle with any of the sky ones as I don’t think any of them are good enough to fill the amount of minutes of analysis they have to do.

Souness is fine till the topic of Pogba comes up then he turns into a jilted lover with his raw hatred

comment by Jed Maxwell (U1449)
posted 12 minutes ago
Oh and listening to Lees Dixon co-commentate is about as bad as it gets, with his constant self deprecating anecdotes
----------------------------------------------------------------------
When they have him and lesaux as part of a 3 man commentary team on NBC it’s quite funny because they just barb each other all game

Micah is lighthearted. Keane the complete opposite. It’s genius to put those two together.

I do like Souness also.

Evra is the worst of them all.

comment by Ole-dirty-baztard - You want ole in, ole out, in, out, in, out, shake it all about. Do the ole Koke (U19119)
posted 59 seconds ago
Evra is the worst of them all.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll raise you Joe Hart!

comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Ole-dirty-baztard - You want ole in, ole out, in, out, in, out, shake it all about. Do the ole Koke (U19119)
posted 59 seconds ago
Evra is the worst of them all.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll raise you Joe Hart!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not sure that’s a raise to be honest

comment by RB&W - Always a Legacy (U21434)
posted 28 minutes ago
comment by rosso - time to #takefootballback #GlazersOut (U17054)
posted 2 seconds ago
comment by RB&W - Always a Legacy (U21434)
posted 1 minute ago
Rosso

“desire”, “being first to the ball”, and “passion” is sometimes useful, even in today's football.

Wednesday night could be a good example of this if United are either 1-0 up or 0-1 down with 15 mins to go.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course they are.

Babbling on about them for ten minutes doesn’t represent analysis though; it’s no more than a description of the bleeding obvious.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree.

Have you ever played in an important Cup Final ?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Define ‘important’

laura esposto

RB&W

Souness does it every week though. It comes across like he actually believes that grit, determination, commitment and ‘winning the second ball’ are all that win football matches.

Like:

Neville
Carragher
Souness
McManaman
Keane
Linekar
Richards (don’t listen to his actual football opinion, though 😂)
Jamie Redknapp is alright

Dislike:

Ian Darke (i know he isn’t actually a pundit, but can’t stand him)
Danny Murphy
Lawro
Garth Crooks

So, Pat Nevin it is then

comment by rooney_hernandez (U7012)
posted 1 minute ago
Like:

Neville
Carragher
Souness
McManaman
Keane
Linekar
Richards (don’t listen to his actual football opinion, though 😂)
Jamie Redknapp is alright

Dislike:

Ian Darke (i know he isn’t actually a pundit, but can’t stand him)
Danny Murphy
Lawro
Garth Crooks
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I like Darke! Great voice.

comment by rosso - time to #takefootballback #GlazersOut (U17054)
posted 40 minutes ago
comment by Clockwork Red (U4892)
posted 54 seconds ago
Television coverage just doesn’t doesn’t reflect the fact that the game is *far* more technical and intelligent than it was even 20 years ago.

Maybe the networks acknowledge this internally, and are happy catering to the casual fan. Maybe they’re just employing entertainers over analysts. Or maybe they don’t realise that Souness screaming about “desire”, “being first to the ball”, and “passion” isn’t really a very rich picture of what’s actually going on in elite football matches, and they’re just employing the wrong people.
—————

I’ve thought about this and wonder if they’re actually instructed to “keep it simple” - perhaps if they move too far away from accessible ideas like “passion”, “confidence” and “quality” and into more technical realms, there’s a certain kind of viewer that might be alienated.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Whether it’s conscious or otherwise, that’s where it’s at.

You just don’t get technical and tactical analysis on TV. Not that I’ve seen anywhere, at least.

GNev and Carragher get about as close as you’ll probably see. Even then, they’re usually only really scraping the surface.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Is it like this on TV in Europe?

Let's face it, the British public aren't the most insightful on football tactics.

Alex Scott