Author Topic: The Best Matchday Commentators / Pundits out there (Read 2969 times)

Andy @ Allerton · « **on:** February 9, 2010, 12:46:13 PM »

Given there are so many absolutely shocking whoppers that commentate and comment on the Beautiful Game nowdays. Which out there are worth listening to? Which ones actually don't come across as biased and actually try and explain the game and are fair no matter who is on? Which are the ones to look out for?

For me, there are a few;

* Alan Hansen. I think he's pretty knowledgeable, very fair (It annoys me that he's complimentary to the Mancs when they deserve it - even though I realise that he's actually being even handed and reasonable - I'm not reasonable or even-handed when it comes to them so..). He says things without waffling on for half and hour and when he picks something out from a match, he's talking about the mechanics of the game without getting emotional and biased. He says what he sees - and although he's fair to Liverpool - he's also fair to all the other teams.

* Kenny Dalglish. Doesn't seem to have a bad word to say about anyone. If you listen to what he says then he can sum something up in 2 sentences that would take Andy Gray and Garth Crooks all afternoon (To get wrong).

* Stuart Hall. Mad as a bag of frogs. Passionate and wonderful to listen to regardless of who has been playing

* Jonathan Pearce. This might surprise a few. But I think he comes across as factual, enthusiastic, unbiased and obviously loves the game of football in all its forms. Not as polished as others on the BBC, Sky, ITV, ESPN and the like - but that's probably half the reason why I like listening to his commentaries.

sinnermichael · « **Reply #1 on:** February 9, 2010, 12:47:31 PM »

jimmy armfield by a country mile

stoa · « **Reply #2 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:24:40 PM »

I always thought Efan Ekoku was quite objective even when commentating our games. He put stuff straight in that debate about man-to-man and zonal-marking, had quite a reasonable view on rotation, etc. However, he has come out with some shite in recent games I've heard with him. In general I'm not that clued up about those commentating the games, because to me they all more or less sound the same and talk the same shite.

Jonny-LFC · « **Reply #3 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:27:28 PM »

Dion Dublin is usually pretty sound, seems to have a lot of respect for us.

Walshy® · « **Reply #4 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:29:23 PM »

Andy Gray is obvioulsy one of the most knowledgable, unfortunately he is Sky's puppet so he has to come out with their agenda, and his agenda.

Throxenby · « **Reply #5 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:29:27 PM »

personally reckon graham taylor speaks sense.

UntouchableLuis · « **Reply #6 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:29:29 PM »

I think Ballague is a very good pundit on Revista to be honest. Merges humour with good insight and is a likeable guy that also wont shy away from a good debate.

J_Kopite · « **Reply #7 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:34:12 PM »

Armfield and David Pleat

Hazell · « **Reply #8 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:39:25 PM »

As has been said, Armfield and Taylor are the best along with Pleat. Hansen is ok too. Everyone else is pretty rubbish.

arthur sarnoff · « **Reply #9 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:46:24 PM »

Armfield, Taylor and Pleat. Notice the connection?

Chivasino · « **Reply #10 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:46:49 PM »

Hansen, Pleat, Dublin and Venables.

Hazell · « **Reply #11 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:48:24 PM »

Quote from: arthur sarnoff on February 9, 2010, 01:46:24 PM

Armfield, Taylor and Pleat. Notice the connection?

They're intelligent?

Jookie · « **Reply #12 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:48:39 PM »

Thought David Pleat was pretty good when he was on. He'd get names wrong and such but he didn't spout the usual boll*ks. Picked out some tactical things as well that were interesting at times.

Don't really watch MOTD often but whenever I have I've thought Lee Dixon was reasonable along with Alan Hansen.

Cob from TIA · « **Reply #13 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:56:25 PM »

As a main commentator I really like Rob Hawthorne on Sky.

SP · « **Reply #14 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:56:37 PM »

Was talking about the MOTD commentators with Watford fan last night. He picked out Hansen as head and shoulders above the others on the MOTD panel. Hard to argue with really.

Peeker · « **Reply #15 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:57:25 PM »

I dont mind Pleat...Despite the fact Benayoun is Beyanoon to Pleat he knows his stuff from a tactical point of view.

Lee Dixon is pretty good and always seems fair. David Platt used to be ok ,but he has started to spout some shite recently.

Redknapp pissed me off last week on the Derby...saying it was a proper derby game with tackles flying in. This coming from the man who I saw fannying out of so many tackles when watching Liverpool.

Uhoh AureliOs · « **Reply #16 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:58:20 PM »

Marcel Desailly is pretty good.

CHOPPER · « **Reply #17 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:58:29 PM »

Alan Hansen and Robbie Earle.

SP · « **Reply #18 on:** February 9, 2010, 01:58:33 PM »

With the proviso that I know that he is talking shite, I find Alan Green a bit of a guilty pleasure for radio commentary. I don't expect to get an accurate reflection of the game, but it tends to be entertaining. He always finds something to whinge about.

sinnermichael · « **Reply #19 on:** February 9, 2010, 02:02:32 PM »

Quote from: Southern Pansy on February 9, 2010, 01:58:33 PM

With the proviso that I know that he is talking shite, I find Alan Green a bit of a guilty pleasure for radio commentary. I don't expect to get an accurate reflection of the game, but it tends to be entertaining. He always finds something to whinge about.

it's worst when him and lawrenson are commentating together, especially on out games. their sarcasm knows no bounds, especially when in comes to talking about the likes of lucas and ngog.

CHOPPER · « **Reply #20 on:** February 9, 2010, 02:03:01 PM »

Quote from: Southern Pansy on February 9, 2010, 01:58:33 PM

With the proviso that I know that he is talking shite, I find Alan Green a bit of a guilty pleasure for radio commentary. I don't expect to get an accurate reflection of the game, but it tends to be entertaining. He always finds something to whinge about.

In our hotel the morning after we Brum at Cardiff I had the pleasure/displeasure call it what you will, of watching and listening to Alan commentate on his breakfast.

He was full of it, literally.

Block306 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 9, 2010, 02:12:10 PM »

Ron Atkinson

eitzel · « **Reply #22 on:** February 9, 2010, 02:12:26 PM »

Alastair Campbell closely followed by Jimmy Tarbuck

SP · « **Reply #23 on:** February 9, 2010, 02:25:41 PM »

Quote from: stmichael on February 9, 2010, 02:02:32 PM

it's worst when him and lawrenson are commentating together, especially on out games. their sarcasm knows no bounds, especially when in comes to talking about the likes of lucas and ngog.

That's why I put the proviso in. He is a complete prat, but can be an entertaining one. Best call for commentating on a "dire" 0-0 midweek match.

But once you break the mental conditioning that commentators know what they are talking about, they can be an endless source of mirth. You can predict the next banality. The predictable discussion of zonal marking on the first corner. Once you realise that the emperor has no clothes and that they are actually terrified, because they have the best part of 2 hours to fill and they have never had an original thought in their lives...

Tommy_W · « **Reply #24 on:** February 9, 2010, 02:29:43 PM »

Quote from: Southern Pansy on February 9, 2010, 01:58:33 PM

With the proviso that I know that he is talking shite, I find Alan Green a bit of a guilty pleasure for radio commentary. I don't expect to get an accurate reflection of the game, but it tends to be entertaining. He always finds something to whinge about.

I can't fuckin stand Alan Green - he's so ruddy biased! I remember when Carragher was left out for King for an England game or something, and he spent the entire 90 minutes slagging King off!!

sinnermichael · « **Reply #25 on:** February 9, 2010, 02:30:51 PM »

i actually think davie provan is decent aswell. does a fair few of our games on football first.

Cochise · « **Reply #26 on:** February 9, 2010, 02:30:56 PM »

Steve Claridge.

DangerScouse · « **Reply #27 on:** February 9, 2010, 02:32:04 PM »

John Giles is pretty decent but i have to say Pat Dolan is by far and away the best pundit from Ireland and Britain imo.

Chaztastic · « **Reply #28 on:** February 9, 2010, 03:36:58 PM »

Leonardo

Frank. · « **Reply #29 on:** February 9, 2010, 03:54:37 PM »

Agree with Jonathon Pearce, along with the obvious Hansen.

itsgunnabebarnes! · « **Reply #30 on:** February 9, 2010, 03:57:29 PM »

Quote from: Cob from TIA on February 9, 2010, 01:56:25 PM

As a main commentator I really like Rob Hawthorne on Sky.

he just wanks over rooney.

SalisburyRed · « **Reply #31 on:** February 9, 2010, 03:58:31 PM »

I've actually got a fair bit of time for quite a few commentators out there - pundits and co-commentators less so. Having said that, when it's us I'm watching on TV I tend to be able to half-ignore the commentary and just focus on the game, which is often a blessing.

Also, the word is that Guy Mowbray will be taking over as the BBC's number 1 commentator, as someone finally succeeds John Motson.

mildale · « **Reply #32 on:** February 9, 2010, 03:59:17 PM »

Pearce is alright, his voice goes right through me though, even thinking baout it gives me the shivers. I must be the only person who doesn't mind Alan Green. Alan Hansen and Jimmy Armfield as well are the better ones.

Immoral King Brian Blessed · « **Reply #33 on:** February 9, 2010, 04:05:31 PM »

Paul Walsh. Never has out there opinions, and he has a pleasant voice.

Daniel Cabbaggio · « **Reply #34 on:** February 9, 2010, 04:11:55 PM »

Barry Davies, a natural commentator for any sport

Billy The Kid. · « **Reply #35 on:** February 9, 2010, 04:17:08 PM »

Quote from: DangerScouse on February 9, 2010, 02:32:04 PM

John Giles is pretty decent but i have to say Pat Dolan is by far and away the best pundit from Ireland and Britain imo.

I honestly don't get why John Giles is seen as a decent pundit. The man is stuck in a time warp. He seems to think that we're still living in the mid seventies, when him and his gang of goons were playing at Leeds. He is so tediously predictable it is laughable. Nearly every sentence that comes out of his mouth is prefixed with the phrase "back in my day". No one gives a fuck about back in your day Johnny. I mean, how many times have you heard him trotting out the likes of this:

You need your defenders to come and head the ball

Your cant have a defender letting the ball bounce infront of him

You need your central midield players to get on the ball and start passing it (this his most popular one)

You need people tracking back when you lose the ball.

That about encompasses the John Giles book of punditry. Pretty elementary stuff don't you think? He does make for good listening when he's talking about off the pitch related issues, but his ability to analyse a game is pretty wank in all honesty.

rafathegaffa83 · « **Reply #36 on:** February 9, 2010, 04:19:53 PM »

Quote from: DangerScouse on February 9, 2010, 02:32:04 PM

but i have to say Pat Dolan is by far and away the best pundit from Ireland and Britain imo.

He isn't really a big name, nor has he played or managed at a high-level, but I really enjoy listening to him, because he avoids hysterics and seems to have a rather intelligent, continental view of management and tactics in particular. Plus, he hates our owners and always sticks up for Benitez.

James B · « **Reply #37 on:** February 9, 2010, 04:21:56 PM »

Apart from Ian Wright, Jamie Redknapp, Jason Cundy and that idiot on talksport who slated Carra, I think most of them are decent.

astowell1 · « **Reply #38 on:** February 9, 2010, 04:25:15 PM »

Quote from: Freezing Cold on February 9, 2010, 02:30:56 PM

Steve Claridge.

...Well I found this funny.

Samee · « **Reply #39 on:** February 9, 2010, 04:27:19 PM »

Jamie Redknapp.