A look at how the new pundits teams will fare for the upcoming campaign.
The term ‘on-air talent’ gets banded around quite often these days, but quite often there is actually very little to back it up, which is certainly the case with a few of the broadcasters choice in pundits this year. Whether it’s because we were inundated with excellent opinions from all manner of legends during the World Cup, or whether we have become so used to making our own observations that some of these dinosaurs are no longer effectual other than to provide a post for abuse is still a matter of debate, but below we’ve taken a look at the various punditry teams for the UK’s major stations this coming campaign.
4. ITV
At the bottom of the pack is ITV, whose football coverage is so offensive that the lot over at the BBC look like their hosting a MENSA meeting. Fronted by the offensive Adrian Chiles, who has set the good people of the West Midlands back even in the country’s estimation, he is flanked by some of the most irritating voices that football has to offer.
Now what Roy Keane has defenced back into the actual footballing world, there’s nobody left to scare him into talking sense anymore, and his jokes, which fell flat at the best of times have now taken a tumble down a black hole so deep you can’t even hear the thump at the bottom.
When it comes to game time, Andy Townsend and Jim Beglin form an unlikely and irritating combo that only serve to annoy, and not enlighten. And considering that one of those sounds like he suffers a constant cold ITV may perhaps have a better time of scouring the local A&E for fresh talent.
However, former Arsenal star Lee Dixon can sometimes provide a morsel of sense – it’s not that he’s particularly insightful, he’s just too good to be accompanied by the rest of the cowboys in the studio.
Having acquired sudden motor mouth Paul Scholes to help out for their Champions League coverage, fans can perhaps now expect a little more bang for their buck, but probably not enough to lift them from the bottom of the pile.
Rank: 4/10
3. BBC
A Bronze medal, well done BBC! Only it’s not actually that impressive considering there are only four major stations in this list. The BBC is an odd one, you want to like them, after all they were the ones that started Match of the Day all those years ago, but since the days of Des Lynam they’ve lost their way.
Presented by a suave Gary Lineker, whose goodbye’s are on par with Anne Robinson’s, you get the feeling that he is intelligent and would have something to say had he not been gagged by the beeb, so instead he leaves it to his cronies to do all the work.
Alan Shearer is a man who has undone his hero status quicker than anybody in the world has, ever, as he turns stating the obvious into an art form and waxes hyperbole instead of actually imparting knowledge from his 15 years as a professional.
Robbie Savage, well, where to start? The Welshman is a class clown of the highest order and wouldn’t be so bad if his vapid and clueless opinions were based upon his desire to be a heel in the studio, but no, he is so cluelessly stupid that he doesn’t realise that he’s there so serve the public’s need to have somebody to hate.
However, with Alan Hansen retiring and Mark Lawrenson taking a backseat, the likes of Martin Keown, Danny Murphy and new signing Phil Neville could have the chance to enlighten and rebuild some of the BBC’s damaged reputation.
Rank: 6/10
2. BT Sport
Still the new boys on the scene, BT firmly set Sky Sports in their sights as they look to topple Rupert Murdoch’s empire from the top.
BT’s contribution has actually been rather good, aside from housing Michael Own, who has been media trained within an inch of his life and has made him even more boring (amazing that could even happen) but the rest of the team all offer a unique insight into the game.
Anchored by the affable, if somewhat boy-scout like Jake Humphrey, the likes of Steve McManaman and real journalists, yes real journalists, like James Richardson and James Horncastle can all impart wisdom that is both fascinating and reliable.
Soon to be joined by the likes of Jose Mourinho, Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes, the trio may not be to everybody’s tastes but they’ll all create talking points for the right reasons.
Rank: 8/10
1. Sky Sports
Undoubtedly the cream of the crop, Sky were able to turn Gary Neville from being one of the most hated men in English football into one of the brightest and most interesting, and when teamed up with former rival Jamie Carragher then the sparks certainly do fly.
Often offset by the stern earnestness of Graeme Souness, and the cheeky ladishness of Jamie Redknapp, the debate is wide ranging and all encompassing, and Sky is the only channel that goes as far as to offer a televised in-game commentary when you can’t see the action. Guys like Jeff Stelling and Chris Kamara have etched their way into the collective consciousness of the entire country, and Saturday afternoon’s wouldn’t be the same without them.
The only criticism of Sky is the price you must pay to have access to these features, and moving from a closed set to an interactive studio has been unnecessary, though they’ve had to keep BT Sport at bay somehow.
Rank: 9/10
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