Topic: Who is the best pundit? 2021 edition

[LallanaInPyjamas]

I didn't say you did call him a bellend, I was laughing at you demanding respect for someone, it's pretty funny given the shit you spam the forum with about Bobby and Keita.

Fair enough if you love Carra and disagree (he's done great today making a show of that agent) but you're a cheeky fucker about respect with the drivel you write.

I think I criticised Firmino after one game last season and that was Fulham away when he stunk the place out and repeatedly gave the ball away. Most of my criticisms of him came during the 16/17 season when the dynamic of the team was different. Coutinho was our playmaker and while Firmino's counter-pressing was still important, we needed a more clinical finisher. He missed some very good chances in tight draws which cost us points. I still don't rate his finishing particularly highly, but it's far less significant now that we have Salah and an even better Mané. Firmino is also even better than back then. Players change, as do opinions.

You should try playing the post rather than the poster. I wasn't aware of any issues between us but I certainly am now. You're a tit.

[slaphead]

I think Carragher is great, I dont agree with everything he says of course. In among the sense he talks is an odd bit of bullox for sure.
But to call him a bellend and liken him to Ray Boy and that old buzzard Tyler is stupid man, come on.
You're as far away as my first shite with that one

[El Lobo]

I think Carragher is great, I dont agree with everything he says of course. In among the sense he talks is an odd bit of bullox for sure.
But to call him a bellend and liken him to Ray Boy and that old buzzard Tyler is stupid man, come on.
You're as far away as my first shite with that one

He’s right up there for stupid crap, even on Sky. Came out with some right shite on Saturday, mainly about Virg looking vulnerable, like he was carrying an injury etc. He’s better than most pundits but let’s be honest, it’s not a high ceiling.

[slaphead]

He’s right up there for stupid crap, even on Sky. Came out with some right shite on Saturday, mainly about Virg looking vulnerable, like he was carrying an injury etc. He’s better than most pundits but let’s be honest, it’s not a high ceiling.

You're spot on there alright    Probably just jealous of Virgil like, I mean who isn't 
I sometimes wonder if the likes of Sky actively encourage the people they have on to say some controversial/stupid things.
I miss the days of RTE coverage with Giles, Brady and Dunphy. There's a trio who could come out with some complete rubbish but quality viewing.

[bradders1011]

You're spot on there alright    Probably just jealous of Virgil like, I mean who isn't 
I sometimes wonder if the likes of Sky actively encourage the people they have on to say some controversial/stupid things.
I miss the days of RTE coverage with Giles, Brady and Dunphy. There's a trio who could come out with some complete rubbish but quality viewing.

Course they do, it's been clickbait TV for at least 5 years now.

[Statto Red]

One great thing Champions League group stage nights, when we're not on i always put the goals show on, far superior pundits on that show, shows that you don't have to play the game professionally to be informative & entertaining, these put the other pundits to shame.

[voodoo ray]

One great thing Champions League group stage nights, when we're not on i always put the goals show on, far superior pundits on that show, shows that you don't have to play the game professionally to be informative & entertaining, these put the other pundits to shame.

that's one football show I will actually watch these days.

[mattD]

One great thing Champions League group stage nights, when we're not on i always put the goals show on, far superior pundits on that show, shows that you don't have to play the game professionally to be informative & entertaining, these put the other pundits to shame.

They’re excellent. They used to do the European Football Show on BT too, but as ever, BT got rid of it’s more serious programmes in favour of shite banter shows.

[rob1966]

My missus agrees on this, the female commentator on MOTD is awful, me and my missus both hate her voice and the way she speaks when a goal is scored.

[slaphead]

My missus agrees on this, the female commentator on MOTD is awful, me and my missus both hate her voice and the way she speaks when a goal is scored.

I agree there. She's terrible, there's a few out there who are just so hard to listen to its hard to get past their annoying voice and listen to what they say. Clinton Morrison and Stuart Pearce are the same for me.
Haven't seen that Goals show must have a gander at it. Most of the people on TV/radio annoy me these days, would be nice to find a good panel.

[vivabobbygraham]

One great thing Champions League group stage nights, when we're not on i always put the goals show on, far superior pundits on that show, shows that you don't have to play the game professionally to be informative & entertaining, these put the other pundits to shame.

Agree with this. Neil Atkinson, although a proper red, hosts the 'Friday show' on TAW player and it is the best punditry in advance of the Premier League fixtures by a country mile. He is most erudite, insightful and leads his panel with humour and panache. Some of the gobshites stealing a living on these so called 'expert analysis' shows should give their heads a wobble and listen/watch some of the content being produced by TAW and other locally produced shows both on video and via podcast across the country. Put most of these ex pro quilts to shame.

[slaphead]

Agree with this. Neil Atkinson, although a proper red, hosts the 'Friday show' on TAW player and it is the best punditry in advance of the Premier League fixtures by a country mile. He is most erudite, insightful and leads his panel with humour and panache. Some of the gobshites stealing a living on these so called 'expert analysis' shows should give their heads a wobble and listen/watch some of the content being produced by TAW and other locally produced shows both on video and via podcast across the country. Put most of these ex pro quilts to shame.

I've only really started listening to TAW, well to Podcasts in general actually, they are great I must say. Really good. With people like that you don't get the crap that a lot of ex-pro's come out with about how good or shite the person alongside them were. A lot of the ex-pro's struggle to tell you anything you didnt already know. Stealing a living is exactly right

[Ma Vie en Rouge]

Ha ha, yes, this is quite common among a lot of ex players when they do commentary or summarising or talking in public about the game. I guess commentary/public expression is an art and while some ex-players take to it like a duck to water, others just aren't good at it so they tend to fall back on stock phrases. Sticking with cricket I remember Monty Panasar in his 'right areas' phase, just constantly saying 'got to get it in the right areas' every time he spoke.

Or remember Peter Beardsley saying 'to be fair' at the end of every single sentence. It got quite annoying, to be fair. Or Danny Mills spouting absolute fucking shite every time he opens his gob, the effluent-expounding meff.

This is a disease. It has infected 75% of sports people allowed into punditry. I can't even fathom what it means any more. For a while, it meant exactly "to be fair". Then it mutated into vaguely meaning "to be honest". But now, it seems to mean nothing at all. "That's a corner, to be fair". "This is Tuesday, to be fair." "I've got nothing remotely interesting to say, to be fair." "Cheese on toast is really nice sometimes, to be fair." Who the fucking hell is anyone being fair to? It drives me mad listening to people who are paid to talk and are unable, to be fair, to do so coherently.

[voodoo ray]

"For me"

[Ziltoid]

This is a disease. It has infected 75% of sports people allowed into punditry. I can't even fathom what it means any more. For a while, it meant exactly "to be fair". Then it mutated into vaguely meaning "to be honest". But now, it seems to mean nothing at all. "That's a corner, to be fair". "This is Tuesday, to be fair." "I've got nothing remotely interesting to say, to be fair." "Cheese on toast is really nice sometimes, to be fair." Who the fucking hell is anyone being fair to? It drives me mad listening to people who are paid to talk and are unable, to be fair, to do so coherently.

Really well put that to be fair

[vivabobbygraham]

"He's got to do better than that"

[TepidT2O]

Never seen John Walters do this before...

He’s a natural.

[Crosby Nick]

Never seen John Walters do this before...

He’s a natural.

So that’s where 24/7’s gone.

[mattD]

I’ll tell you someone who I think is an excellent lead commentator - Arlo White on NBC.

Describes the game very well and fairly, not prone to hyperbole or hysteria while also getting a sense of the occasion.

Not like Darren Fletcher On BT who commentates on us winning the Champions League as if we’ve just beaten Burnley and utterly failing to get a sense of occasion, or Martin Tyler who is as bitter and craggy an old man you’ll ever come across. As for BBC telly commentators.... sorry, I could barely name one as they are so unmemorable.

[whtwht]

Good shout on Arlo. What happened to Mike Ingham. He was great on 5live

[mattD]

Good shout on Arlo. What happened to Mike Ingham. He was great on 5live

Ooh he retired a while ago after the 2014 World Cup. He was only in his early 60s when retired as well. I did recall him saying at the end of his final broadcast that his most memorable commentary was Istanbul.

[Andy-oh-six]

Ooh he retired a while ago after the 2014 World Cup. He was only in his early 60s when retired as well. I did recall him saying at the end of his final broadcast that his most memorable broadcast as a commentator was Istanbul.

I couldn’t watch the pens and listened to them on the radio. Great commentary.

[Ghost Town]

I couldn’t watch the pens and listened to them on the radio. Great commentary.

I had a download of the whole radio commentary, game, pre and post match, and would often put it on in the background. Great commentary, as you say

[Stockholm Syndrome]

Will never forget him saying that United won't be scared of Suarez running at them, before he completely ripped them apart in the Kuyt hat-trick game.

Also the time he couldn't stop laughing at the thought of us knocking Barcelona out of the champions league before we went to the Nou Camp and won 1-2.

The guy is a helmet. Wants sympathy for being a gambling addict but then takes part in Sky Bet adverts.

I remember him saying that "Suavez" would not be able to cope with the physicality and we should play a 442 with a (then injured) Andy Carroll up front

[chalky52]

Was listening to the Totally Football show podcast like a bit of James Richardson and usually some decent journos however Pat Nevin was on this week and among a load of shots spouted talking about Aaron WanBisakas England call up said he is very impressed with him going forward but needs to tighten up his defending. Which suggests he has never watched a minute of him as he is quite a solid defender but very limited going forward. The complete ignorance of people on subjects they are getting paid on astounds me if I said something completely untrue in my line of work I would be challenged on it.

Danny Mills is the worst commentator by a country mile which takes some doing considering the competition.

[bradders1011]

Was listening to the Totally Football show podcast like a bit of James Richardson and usually some decent journos however Pat Nevin was on this week and among a load of shots spouted talking about Aaron WanBisakas England call up said he is very impressed with him going forward but needs to tighten up his defending. Which suggests he has never watched a minute of him as he is quite a solid defender but very limited going forward. The complete ignorance of people on subjects they are getting paid on astounds me if I said something completely untrue in my line of work I would be challenged on it.

Danny Mills is the worst commentator by a country mile which takes some doing considering the competition.

Did you know he used to listen to the Cocteau Twins in the 80s though?

[redgriffin73]

Oh look, Garth Crooks is being a cock again.

"Perhaps Firmino can heal the obvious rift between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane because it would appear manager Jurgen Klopp is having difficulty. For Mane to explode so publicly, as he did at being substituted after Salah had so clearly ignored him on two occasions to score, was completely justified. Salah can't play this game on his own - a point Firmino clearly understands."

[slaphead]

Oh look, Garth Crooks is being a cock again.

"Perhaps Firmino can heal the obvious rift between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane because it would appear manager Jurgen Klopp is having difficulty. For Mane to explode so publicly, as he did at being substituted after Salah had so clearly ignored him on two occasions to score, was completely justified. Salah can't play this game on his own - a point Firmino clearly understands."

hahah dear Jesus. He really is embarrassing isn't he. So who will people believe I wonder. The man with the best man management skills in the game when he says its sorted, nothing to see. Or Garth Crooks

[Ratboy3G]

Oh look, Garth Crooks is being a cock again.

"Perhaps Firmino can heal the obvious rift between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane because it would appear manager Jurgen Klopp is having difficulty. For Mane to explode so publicly, as he did at being substituted after Salah had so clearly ignored him on two occasions to score, was completely justified. Salah can't play this game on his own - a point Firmino clearly understands."

🙄

[Nitramdorf]

Oh look, Garth Crooks is being a cock again.

"Perhaps Firmino can heal the obvious rift between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane because it would appear manager Jurgen Klopp is having difficulty. For Mane to explode so publicly, as he did at being substituted after Salah had so clearly ignored him on two occasions to score, was completely justified. Salah can't play this game on his own - a point Firmino clearly understands."

I just read that. I guess I shouldn't let the thick c*nt wind me up but sometimes it's hard not to get angry at the sheer fucking stupidity of the tosser. Just to add to it, I have to pay the fuckers wages.

[BrandoLFC]

Is this the proper place to talk about Souness's comments today?  Think he might need a vacation or a break....

[Ratboy3G]

Is this the proper place to talk about Souness's comments today?  Think he might need a vacation or a break....

What has he said?

[Lush is the best medicine...]

What has he said?

the ‘moise kean must have had issues if juve wanted to get rid’ thing

[vivabobbygraham]

Indeed. I mean, there's definitely a need for this sort of thread to call out the Richard Keys and Danny Mills types, you know, the absolute fuckwits.

But the levels of over-sensitivity among our fans borders on pathological.

What d'ya mean, mate? Are you calling me a prick?
 

[vivabobbygraham]

I've only really started listening to TAW, well to Podcasts in general actually, they are great I must say. Really good. With people like that you don't get the crap that a lot of ex-pro's come out with about how good or shite the person alongside them were. A lot of the ex-pro's struggle to tell you anything you didnt already know. Stealing a living is exactly right

Merci, mate

[vivabobbygraham]

Oh look, Garth Crooks is being a cock again.

"Perhaps Firmino can heal the obvious rift between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane because it would appear manager Jurgen Klopp is having difficulty. For Mane to explode so publicly, as he did at being substituted after Salah had so clearly ignored him on two occasions to score, was completely justified. Salah can't play this game on his own - a point Firmino clearly understands."

Okay, can we stop quoting Garth, a massive cockwomble (my 14 year old boy described him as thus). He is a token, ffs, as are Jenas and Mark fucking Bright before him. I fucking abhor racism. Garth fucking Crooks sets it back not forward cos he is a lighthouse that never shines a light...weird.

[BrandoLFC]

the ‘moise kean must have had issues if juve wanted to get rid’ thing

With no actual proof that he had issues.  The guy was racially abused and his club was fine with it.  Really a ridiculous set of comments from Graeme.

[IgorBobbins]

Was listening to the Totally Football show podcast like a bit of James Richardson and usually some decent journos however Pat Nevin was on this week and among a load of shots spouted talking about Aaron WanBisakas England call up said he is very impressed with him going forward but needs to tighten up his defending. Which suggests he has never watched a minute of him as he is quite a solid defender but very limited going forward. The complete ignorance of people on subjects they are getting paid on astounds me if I said something completely untrue in my line of work I would be challenged on it.

Danny Mills is the worst commentator by a country mile which takes some doing considering the competition.

Charlie Nicholas said exactly the same thing on Soccer Saturday too 

[Raid]

I’ll tell you someone who I think is an excellent lead commentator - Arlo White on NBC.

Describes the game very well and fairly, not prone to hyperbole or hysteria while also getting a sense of the occasion.

Not like Darren Fletcher On BT who commentates on us winning the Champions League as if we’ve just beaten Burnley and utterly failing to get a sense of occasion, or Martin Tyler who is as bitter and craggy an old man you’ll ever come across. As for BBC telly commentators.... sorry, I could barely name one as they are so unmemorable.

In fairness to Darren Fletcher, I've always found him to be a good commentator, particularly on the Anfield European nights. I think he did Dortmund, and the Barca game was ok too. Would certainly rather have him than that tosser Tyler.

He was probably conscious of the split English audience on the Champions League Final. He needn't have been though with Jenas and Hoddle's blatant bias.

[Dazzer23]

Not like Darren Fletcher On BT who commentates on us winning the Champions League as if we’ve just beaten Burnley and utterly failing to get a sense of occasion, or Martin Tyler who is as bitter and craggy an old man you’ll ever come across. As for BBC telly commentators.... sorry, I could barely name one as they are so unmemorable.

Shows how subjective it is because I think Darren Fletcher is about the best there is at the moment. (On TV anyway). I'm totally with you on Tyler though, good in his day but should've been pensioned off a long long time ago. I'm getting very close to pushing the mute button, when he's on now.