I watched that game too, but cant see where you think he was awful.
How do you think he was awful? Apart from Davie Provan, who is top notch, i cant think of any one better than Tony Gale who Sky use!!
I always thought Gale was good and thought he was excellent when with Ian Darke back in the prem plus days...hence why I would of loved him to be paired up with Darkie on BT.
Tony Gale is a superb co commentator. Cant understand what you mean by hard work!!
I just don't think he adds anything to the commentary. Last night he just descended into repeating the view that 0-0 wouldn't be a bad result for Malaga. Nothing too disagreeable about that, but it didn't need saying three or four times. He also offered us the opinion that Dortmund would have been comfortably ahead had they shown a bit more composure in front of goal. Well, er, obviously. It's not exactly piercing insight, is it?
Gale's one of those people who coasts along, without any real knowledge of football outside England, telling the viewers what they can already see. What's the point?
It's not the job of the co commentator to know the ins and outs of the Malaga squad. It's his job to comment on the match as an ex-pro.
I think Gale is good. Hes a natural broadcaster and can talk about the game well. Vastly preferable to Savage or Collymore who are controversialists, or Chris Waddle & Alan Smith who are dull. Or Lawrenson & Birtles who are miserable old farts.
No commentator tells me anything I don't already know. That's because I know what I'm watching. Perhaps that applies to you too?
Fancy actually expecting a co-commentator to have done their research in order to know something about the teams they are covering. How ridiculous would that be...
I can't give any individual comments on Tony Gale as I haven't heard him at any length for a number of years, but I would agree with Li4m's expectations from co-commentators on a general basis. They should be expected to do their bit in terms of preparation just as commentators are. Stan Collymore is actually one of the better mainstream co-commentators IMO as he is one of the few who actually takes pride in reading up on the teams he covers.
On the subject of the ITV Player, ITV4's Bundesliga highlights show covering the weekend just gone doesn't appear to be on there. Did ITV4 not broadcast a show over the Easter weekend? If so, is there one scheduled to be broadcast later this week?
Fancy actually expecting a co-commentator to have done their research in order to know something about the teams they are covering. How ridiculous would that be...
I can't give any individual comments on Tony Gale as I haven't heard him at any length for a number of years, but I would agree with Li4m's expectations from co-commentators on a general basis. They should be expected to do their bit in terms of preparation just as commentators are. Stan Collymore is actually one of the better mainstream co-commentators IMO as he is one of the few who actually takes pride in reading up on the teams he covers.
Collymore not knowing how many goals Mata scored. And everything he said was just poor.
UEFA Europa League Live: Tottenham Hotspur v FC Basel
Matt Smith presenting from White Hart Lane alongside Gordon Strachan and Gareth Southgate
Commentators: Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend
Reporter: Ned Boulting
ITV4
UEFA Europa League Live: Benfica v Newcastle United
Mark Pougatch presenting from the studio alongside Gustavo Poyet and Chris Coleman
Commentators: Peter Drury and Jim Beglin
Peter is also the reporter at the Estadio da Luz, while Matt will be presenting a Europa League highlights show on ITV later this evening.
Psyer is impressively quick in finding an example of Stan Collymore getting something wrong in order to dispute my opinion of his co-commentary work. All I would say is that this is a one-off example of a gaff rather than a demonstration that he doesn't put the effort in to prepare for games on a general basis, unlike some of his contemporaries that I could mention. I can live with mistakes from co-commentators, but not a lack of interest or effort.
And on ESPN, Ray is with Frank Lebouf and Albert Ferrer, with Champion and Burley. I missed the start so had to wait to hear who the co-comm was and assumed it was Waddle as they'd gone thirty seconds without moaning.
Fancy actually expecting a co-commentator to have done their research in order to know something about the teams they are covering. How ridiculous would that be...
I can't give any individual comments on Tony Gale as I haven't heard him at any length for a number of years, but I would agree with Li4m's expectations from co-commentators on a general basis. They should be expected to do their bit in terms of preparation just as commentators are. Stan Collymore is actually one of the better mainstream co-commentators IMO as he is one of the few who actually takes pride in reading up on the teams he covers.
If the co-comm job is research-related then why is it always be done by an ex player? That makes no sense whatsoever. If you want detail then you'd be better off putting a journalist in the booth.
The 2nd commentators job is as a "colour man" - observing the subtleties of the game and offering the pro's perspective. The main commentator tells you who's got the ball and fills in the detail.
Collymore bangs on about his research all the time because he wants to make himself look clever. His success is as a self-publicist. He is like a low-grade Joey Barton.
If the co-comm job is research-related then why is it always be done by an ex player? That makes no sense whatsoever. If you want detail then you'd be better off putting a journalist in the booth.
The 2nd commentators job is as a "colour man" - observing the subtleties of the game and offering the pro's perspective. The main commentator tells you who's got the ball and fills in the detail.
Collymore bangs on about his research all the time because he wants to make himself look clever. His success is as a self-publicist. He is like a low-grade Joey Barton.
What is so wrong with providing a pro's perspective and observing the subtleties of the game while also having an awareness of the teams you are covering? Someone like Jim Beglin, who I am listening to right now, is able to both make thoughtful observations while also offering more educated comments on Benfica as opposed to generic cliches about Newcastle's opponents.
I'm not say that they should be expected to quote obscure statistics and precise histories, but to have a little bit of knowledge about the players and recent form of teams they are covering that some viewers might not be that up-to-date with should be a minimum expectation.
I don't really want to make this personal about particular summarisers, but I don't find Collymore to "bang on" about the research he does - he just demonstrates that he has done it. I'd rather that than listen to someone like Mark Lawrenson, who regularly takes the mickey out of the commentators he works with for having done their homework.
What is so wrong with providing a pro's perspective and observing the subtleties of the game while also having an awareness of the teams you are covering? Someone like Jim Beglin, who I am listening to right now, is able to both make thoughtful observations while also offering more educated comments on Benfica as opposed to generic cliches about Newcastle's opponents.
I'm not say that they should be expected to quote obscure statistics and precise histories, but to have a little bit of knowledge about the players and recent form of teams they are covering that some viewers might not be that up-to-date with should be a minimum expectation.
I don't really want to make this personal about particular summarisers, but I don't find Collymore to "bang on" about the research he does - he just demonstrates that he has done it. I'd rather that than listen to someone like Mark Lawrenson, who regularly takes the mickey out of the commentators he works with for having done their homework.
Beglin did well, but very poor from Drury at times. Claimed the Santon had never scored for us before, yet he scored against Wigan the other week. Surely knowing information like that is a basic requirement when commentating on a match. I wouldn't have cared so much if we'd have gotten a better result but nonetheless very poor from Dury.
St James' Park will be rocking for the second leg mind, I absolutely can't wait, and also I'll sleep a little easier knowing that I won't be able to here Drury (if he commentates) from my seat in the Leazes End!
I watched Benfica v Newcastle, for me Drury's biggest mistake was mentioning rodrigo then the FA cup semi we played v Stoke, as I'm still seeing a counsellor about that.
Onto serious points now, from the highlights at WHL it seemed Andy Townsend seemed in full cheerleading mode. As for the co-commentator research debate, I don't expct miracles, just maybe to check what their prevailing tactics are, pronounce players names correctly, what they're doing alright and not at, and that's it. They need that basic knowledge and to be able to present in in an engaging manner, which is the hallmark of any decent broadcaster. To be honest though I've never really warmed to Collymore.
What is so wrong with providing a pro's perspective and observing the subtleties of the game while also having an awareness of the teams you are covering? Someone like Jim Beglin, who I am listening to right now, is able to both make thoughtful observations while also offering more educated comments on Benfica as opposed to generic cliches about Newcastle's opponents.
I'm not say that they should be expected to quote obscure statistics and precise histories, but to have a little bit of knowledge about the players and recent form of teams they are covering that some viewers might not be that up-to-date with should be a minimum expectation.
I don't really want to make this personal about particular summarisers, but I don't find Collymore to "bang on" about the research he does - he just demonstrates that he has done it. I'd rather that than listen to someone like Mark Lawrenson, who regularly takes the mickey out of the commentators he works with for having done their homework.
Collymore went on a twitter rant about how much research he does. What does it matter if you're not a good broadcaster.
Comparing anyone to Lawrenson (the laziest of them all) is a bit easy. He is neither diligent nor a good broadcaster.
Armchair viewers are unforgiving and love to try and identify gaps in the knowledge of commentators, even though they report on hundreds of different players every month, and viewers report on none. It is such an easy criticism to make. On European weeks the busier commentators can be doing 4 games in 8 days. When are you gonna do your research on individual Malaga players then?
Hear, Hear too, to Gus Poyet and his comments about how English Clubs should be taking the Europa League seriously, hopefully more so after this years run.
Mark Pougatch presented alongside Gustavo Poyet and Chris Coleman
Benfica v Newcastle United - Peter Drury and Jim Beglin, with Drury conducting post-match interviews Chelsea v Rubin Kazan - Jon Champion and Craig Burley, with Darrell Currie conducting post-match interviews (as ESPN UK) Tottenham Hotspur v FC Basel - Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend, with Ned Boulting conducting post-match interviewers Fenerbahce v SS Lazio - Joe Speight
Good programme, a nice little bonus on a Europa League Thursday. I was a bit surprised to see Mark Pougatch and the ITV4 studio team presenting it, seeing as they had already gone through until 10.30pm on that channel. If I am allowed a minor criticism, I would have liked to have seen a round-up of the week's Champions League goals to make up for the lack of a Wednesday highlights show (not sure if that would be allowed contractually, but if so perhaps something to ponder for next week's show).
Sky is running its live West Ham v Man Utd programme right through until 11pm so will be showing highlights of other games in main programme instead of a separate Match Choice afterwards.
So looks as if Sky is planning on getting highlights of all games shown in advance of BBC MOTD (if there is an MOTD).
7.45pm kick-off so masses of time afterwards. Also 7.45pm KO for Arsenal v Everton. Sky start at 7pm both nights. SS2 both nights. Soccer Special on SS1 both nights.
Comments
Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain- Bill O'Herlihy is joined by Liam Brady to present. With commentary by George Hamilton and Ronnie Whelan.
Commentator: Joe Speight
Splinters in the bum, last injury to tick off his list!
I just don't think he adds anything to the commentary. Last night he just descended into repeating the view that 0-0 wouldn't be a bad result for Malaga. Nothing too disagreeable about that, but it didn't need saying three or four times. He also offered us the opinion that Dortmund would have been comfortably ahead had they shown a bit more composure in front of goal. Well, er, obviously. It's not exactly piercing insight, is it?
Gale's one of those people who coasts along, without any real knowledge of football outside England, telling the viewers what they can already see. What's the point?
I think Gale is good. Hes a natural broadcaster and can talk about the game well. Vastly preferable to Savage or Collymore who are controversialists, or Chris Waddle & Alan Smith who are dull. Or Lawrenson & Birtles who are miserable old farts.
No commentator tells me anything I don't already know. That's because I know what I'm watching. Perhaps that applies to you too?
I can't give any individual comments on Tony Gale as I haven't heard him at any length for a number of years, but I would agree with Li4m's expectations from co-commentators on a general basis. They should be expected to do their bit in terms of preparation just as commentators are. Stan Collymore is actually one of the better mainstream co-commentators IMO as he is one of the few who actually takes pride in reading up on the teams he covers.
Thanks for the information - hopefully it will get uploaded to the ITV Player at some point!
Collymore not knowing how many goals Mata scored. And everything he said was just poor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9h957cdSq4E
UEFA Europa League Live: Tottenham Hotspur v FC Basel
Matt Smith presenting from White Hart Lane alongside Gordon Strachan and Gareth Southgate
Commentators: Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend
Reporter: Ned Boulting
ITV4
UEFA Europa League Live: Benfica v Newcastle United
Mark Pougatch presenting from the studio alongside Gustavo Poyet and Chris Coleman
Commentators: Peter Drury and Jim Beglin
Peter is also the reporter at the Estadio da Luz, while Matt will be presenting a Europa League highlights show on ITV later this evening.
Psyer is impressively quick in finding an example of Stan Collymore getting something wrong in order to dispute my opinion of his co-commentary work. All I would say is that this is a one-off example of a gaff rather than a demonstration that he doesn't put the effort in to prepare for games on a general basis, unlike some of his contemporaries that I could mention. I can live with mistakes from co-commentators, but not a lack of interest or effort.
Says rights restrictions in place
Constantly getting players names wrong
If the co-comm job is research-related then why is it always be done by an ex player? That makes no sense whatsoever. If you want detail then you'd be better off putting a journalist in the booth.
The 2nd commentators job is as a "colour man" - observing the subtleties of the game and offering the pro's perspective. The main commentator tells you who's got the ball and fills in the detail.
Collymore bangs on about his research all the time because he wants to make himself look clever. His success is as a self-publicist. He is like a low-grade Joey Barton.
What is so wrong with providing a pro's perspective and observing the subtleties of the game while also having an awareness of the teams you are covering? Someone like Jim Beglin, who I am listening to right now, is able to both make thoughtful observations while also offering more educated comments on Benfica as opposed to generic cliches about Newcastle's opponents.
I'm not say that they should be expected to quote obscure statistics and precise histories, but to have a little bit of knowledge about the players and recent form of teams they are covering that some viewers might not be that up-to-date with should be a minimum expectation.
I don't really want to make this personal about particular summarisers, but I don't find Collymore to "bang on" about the research he does - he just demonstrates that he has done it. I'd rather that than listen to someone like Mark Lawrenson, who regularly takes the mickey out of the commentators he works with for having done their homework.
Beglin did well, but very poor from Drury at times. Claimed the Santon had never scored for us before, yet he scored against Wigan the other week. Surely knowing information like that is a basic requirement when commentating on a match. I wouldn't have cared so much if we'd have gotten a better result but nonetheless very poor from Dury.
St James' Park will be rocking for the second leg mind, I absolutely can't wait, and also I'll sleep a little easier knowing that I won't be able to here Drury (if he commentates) from my seat in the Leazes End!
Onto serious points now, from the highlights at WHL it seemed Andy Townsend seemed in full cheerleading mode. As for the co-commentator research debate, I don't expct miracles, just maybe to check what their prevailing tactics are, pronounce players names correctly, what they're doing alright and not at, and that's it. They need that basic knowledge and to be able to present in in an engaging manner, which is the hallmark of any decent broadcaster. To be honest though I've never really warmed to Collymore.
Collymore went on a twitter rant about how much research he does. What does it matter if you're not a good broadcaster.
Comparing anyone to Lawrenson (the laziest of them all) is a bit easy. He is neither diligent nor a good broadcaster.
Armchair viewers are unforgiving and love to try and identify gaps in the knowledge of commentators, even though they report on hundreds of different players every month, and viewers report on none. It is such an easy criticism to make. On European weeks the busier commentators can be doing 4 games in 8 days. When are you gonna do your research on individual Malaga players then?
Joe Speight
Hear, Hear too, to Gus Poyet and his comments about how English Clubs should be taking the Europa League seriously, hopefully more so after this years run.
tv3 is showing dortmund v malaga on tuesday live on tuesday
UEFA Europa League Extra Time
Mark Pougatch presented alongside Gustavo Poyet and Chris Coleman
Benfica v Newcastle United - Peter Drury and Jim Beglin, with Drury conducting post-match interviews
Chelsea v Rubin Kazan - Jon Champion and Craig Burley, with Darrell Currie conducting post-match interviews (as ESPN UK)
Tottenham Hotspur v FC Basel - Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend, with Ned Boulting conducting post-match interviewers
Fenerbahce v SS Lazio - Joe Speight
Good programme, a nice little bonus on a Europa League Thursday. I was a bit surprised to see Mark Pougatch and the ITV4 studio team presenting it, seeing as they had already gone through until 10.30pm on that channel. If I am allowed a minor criticism, I would have liked to have seen a round-up of the week's Champions League goals to make up for the lack of a Wednesday highlights show (not sure if that would be allowed contractually, but if so perhaps something to ponder for next week's show).
Presented by David Tanner with Neil McCann and Barry Wilson.
Commentary from Ian Crocker and Andy Walker. Luke Shanley doing interviews.
Sky is running its live West Ham v Man Utd programme right through until 11pm so will be showing highlights of other games in main programme instead of a separate Match Choice afterwards.
So looks as if Sky is planning on getting highlights of all games shown in advance of BBC MOTD (if there is an MOTD).
7.45pm kick-off so masses of time afterwards. Also 7.45pm KO for Arsenal v Everton. Sky start at 7pm both nights. SS2 both nights. Soccer Special on SS1 both nights.
Commentators: Martin Fisher & Stewart Robson