+ Visit Cardiff FC for Latest News, Transfer Gossip, Fixtures and Match Results |
ITV don't particularly care about football any more. Since they lost live Champions' League rights, they no longer have a team of good commentators to rely on.
Back in the day, a trio of Tyldesley, Drury and Champion was very good indeed, certainly compared to Matterface, Speight and Hutchinson. When they lost the Champions' League coverage, only Tyldesley was kept on as a contracted commentator. He lost his position last year and ITV now no longer have any contracted football presenters (as far as I am aware). Pougatch is freelance. Matterface (as their main commentator) is freelance. My understanding, from what I've read elsewhere, is that they're the main presenter and commentator for ITV as they were happy to do it for the price. ITV have a bit of a history of poaching presenters and commentators from elsewhere (usually the Beeb) and paying them handsomely. That is no longer the case.
It's sad as ITV's football coverage for many years has generally been very good, if not excellent. Names like Hugh Johns, Brian Moore, Alan Parry etc. Most of ITV's other sporting output borrows from other freelance commentators.
I watched the game with my mother, so punditry was in full flow( not from her) Earnie was attempting to make some good points, and he wasn't cosying up to the Welsh team. Was critical of morell for switching off on the goal and explained that bale had got under the ball for that chance. Also made a good point about trying to get on the ball before giving it to the game changers like bale and Ramsey. I thought that he did well.
Punditry is shit on the whole, although I'd add that plenty of football fans do miss certain points from pundits as they just don't understand what they're saying, even when it is informative.
He deserves to be treated in exactly the same way as any other football commentator, in relation to his performance and ability in that respect. I am sure he would not want it any other way. It is rather patronising to suggest he should be given special treatment because he has been ill in the past. As a footballer he obviously had ability and as a man he has done well to recover from his health setbacks but as a football commentator, in my opinion, he is useless.
Hartson is terrible. There was one point during his commentary where it reminded me of watching football with a slightly p!ssed elderly Uncle pointing out things we've clearly all seen - but sounding like he was sharing some secret everyone else had missed.
It was when Roberts blocked an Italian shot and stumbled backwards from the power. Hartson "look, look at this, Roberts has almost fell down. Here it is look! He's almost fell down. That's the power of the shot that it. See, he almost went"
I liked the one where (I think it was Ampadu) passed it across field and it went straight out to touch for an Italian throw in.
Hartsons commentary: 'Well thats not a particularly good pass for me'.
Harsh but fair. Last year my mate was blinded by some white sh!te and regardless of the hardship he's been through - I still think Cardiff Busses were soft letting him carry on driving the Ely route - even if his guide dog is on his lap. Judge on ability not sympathy.
Jobs for the boys it appears. He talks s load of garbage. Didn’t speak any sense all game. Hope he’s ditched in future.
Garth Crooks he makes Hartson sound like Motson, he his by far the worst of the worst followed by Chris Sutton
Danny Murphy had a few John Hartson moments in the Denmark-Russia game tonight.
As Denmark scored their third (maybe fourth goal - can't remember now) he claimed that would be enough whatever happened in the Belgium-Finland game. Belgium were 1-0 up at the time and a Finland equaliser would have put them 2nd above Denmark.
He was also one of many BBC pundits tonight who bemoaned the fact that Denmark will not play their next game (against Wales!) at home in front of their own fans. Right....