Pundits.

[richard moore]

Agree with everything that has been said about Peter Jones.  Outstanding broadcaster and his report from Hillsborough is one of those rare moments when a person associated with sport manages to transcend those confines, convey a moment in time and touch his listener in a way that only the greats of the medium can. 

Unfortunately - and I said this when Richie Benaud passed on - the generation of broadcasters who reported what they saw with skilled use of the language is all but gone and in their place are those skilled only in hyperbole and self-opinion designed to court controversy.  Then they paired with the ex-pro who for the most part is skilled only in mangling the English language in an attempt to arse-lick or utter meaningless cliche.

There are, thankfully, a few exceptions.  I rate Chris Waddle, Danny Mills and Lee Dixon: each is articulate and generally say it as it is.  I also don't mind Steve Claridge, although can also appreciate why others don't. 

You were doing well until you said Chris Waddle is articulate and an exception in not mangling the English Language. His constant reference to teams as 'these' as in 'these are not playing well' is just one of many examples of his dire use of language. Though I grant you he is forthright in his views and often calls it correct I think about tactics

[Chris Jameson]

I missed that! Chris Waddle mangles the English language, he's invented a language all of his own.

[CT Villan]

Chris Waddle mangles the English language more than Peter Beardsley.

I seem to remember Gerald Sinstadt having a soft spot for us during his commentating heyday.

[kippaxvilla2]

What makes it all the more strange is that into other sports the punditry is so much better - cricket and rugby are 2 obvious examples where the BBC, BT and Sky do a fantastic job. I have no idea why football punditry is so sycophantic.

Although I feel that cricket has started down that slippery slope, with Phil Tufnell taking the role of Chief Court Jester and Graeme Swann is still too close to some in the England set-up.

I think the cricket ones on the radio are really good. Commentators and summarisers - they have a lot of airtime to fill as well.

Is it possible that a lot of cricketers / rugby players will have come through private schools, and many will have actually gone to University as well, whereas footballers are more likely to leave school at 16. Does this make it more likely that the average cricketer or rugby player would be more eloquent in getting across an analysis than a footballer?

But there are some exceptions to that.

I happen to think Don Goodman talks a lot of sense when he commentates on Championship games and does so reasonably articulately.  Clark Carlisle also spoke well I thought before his unfortunate times took over.

[Percy McCarthy]

Yeah, I like Don Goodman. Should be on Premier League games but seems to be barred because he never (rarely?) played in it, rather than being promoted for being good at his job. Ridiculous.

[rob_bridge]

Yep another shout for Goodman.

[tomd2103]

What makes it all the more strange is that other sports the punditry is so much better - cricket and rugby are 2 obvious examples where the BBC, BT and Sky do a fantastic job. I have no idea why football punditry is so sycophantic.

Without wishing to enforce stereotypes, you have to look at the background that rugby and cricket players (in particular) come from.   

[richard moore]

Yes, I like Goodman too, and he has a nice Brummie twang as well which makes me feel at home. Danny Murphy and Danny Mills also score quite highly for me, as does Graeme Le Saux

[villabear]

Martin O'Conner 'legend' never misses the chance to have a pop against us. We get it, you're a nose.

[pbavfckuwait]

Well according to Keys, Sherwood is appearing on Bein sports here in the Middle East all over next weekend, Keys and Gray show Friday night, then match coverage on the Saturday and Sunday, so I will keep an keen ear to see what bull if any he comes out with and report back.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Martin O'Conner 'legend' never misses the chance to have a pop against us. We get it, you're a nose.

Where and who did he do pundit for ? I know him as he live not too far from me.

[Axl Rose]

I was listening to 5 live this evening as I thought there may have been an interview with kmac.

The first half hour was taken up talking about man Utd and Paul Scholes, the second half hour Chelsea and Klopp. We were then shoehorned into the last 5 minutes or so, whereby Trevor Sinclair suggested we deserved to be relegated as we hadn't given Sherwood enough time. There was a fair bit of talk about how he didn't get the players he wanted (despite most of them not appearing to want to join us). There was no mention of him taking repsonsibility for the buys (which he did at the time), or the constant chopping and changing, the dire football, the pitiful points haul etc etc.

Considering we pay for this service I think it was pretty disgraceful to be honest. It is so lazy, sycophantic and self serving. They simply don't want to upset their mates.

I agree with all the points you make there, mate.

Another great thing about being here in Japan is that you can completely avoid such woeful punditry. When I'm visiting home though, my dad always has Five Live on throughout Saturday and Sunday-It simply serves to wind me up. A Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs wankfest.

[villabear]

Martin O'Conner 'legend' never misses the chance to have a pop against us. We get it, you're a nose.

Where and who did he do pundit for ? I know him as he live not too far from me.

He gives his 'measured' opinion on WM.

[PaulWinch again]

I see that Potchettino has now been criticising our board for not showing enough patience. It does make me laugh that there is this general perception that if you give a manager time they will defintely succeed. It's just utter bollocks.

[Villa Lew]

I see that Potchettino has now been criticising our board for not showing enough patience. It does make me laugh that there is this general perception that if you give a manager time they will defintely succeed. It's just utter bollocks.

Couldn't agree more, but have you ever heard a Premier league manager say that another club were right in sacking their manager.