Interesting that Fletcher is getting better value out of BT's regular pundits (Owen, Wright and James) than Jake Humphrey ever has. A better presenter asking better questions or the peace and calm of the studio allowing for better conversation than the hustle and bustle of the pitch side set up?
Perfectly good programme so far - Five Live-esque, which is never a bad thing.
I'm giving Fletch & Sav a go. It's fairly serene so far with a reasonable debate about Utd. I don't really get the hatred of Savage, and I wouldn't judge a program until I'd watched it.
It's certainly better than the modern day Soccer AM and isn't the in your face style that you'd expect.
That's a pretty good assessment of the show - and of Savage, who's been positively restrained so far compared to how he normally is on 606 and was during the World Cup and I wonder whether he's been deliberately told to come across like that by the producers.
One criticism of the show I will make, though, is that it seems a bit dull and flat and could do with some livening up; I'm not talking about importing the braying mob they have on Soccer AM but I think getting the crew to create just a little bit of atmosphere wouldn't go amiss.
Saying that, though, I must admit I was under the impression that Fletch & Sav would be more of a Soccer AM-type of show than just essentially another two hours of pre-match build up.
I'm enjoying Fletch and Sav. It's pretty similar to Goals on Sunday in terms of format but a decent preview show. Not groundbreaking and I doubt it will become must-see tv but it's pretty good.
Overall, I think F&S is a decent show, a little more animated characters would be good but I think most people would be pleasantly surprised by it but then people on here are determined to rubbish anything that Savage appears on
Not really, or certinaly not a muckle change - the red F1 show panels have switched to the PL team logos and a change of studio light colours essentially.
A crap match to choose but it has to be Leeds on at least every other week in Sky
Pre-game it's not too bad a choice. Leeds in their 'turmoil' and 'Boro are outsiders for promotion/playoff. Although the game has been poor so far!
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I seen about 20 minutes of Fletch and Sav - and It was more sedate than I thought it was, which is a good thing. It was decent enough. Soccer AM has been poorer for years but would still have it on in the background for the odd chuckle. Will see how BT's offering develops.
-- Celtic v Dundee Utd - SS3
David Tanner with Neil McCann
Comms: Ian Crocker and Andy Walker Reporter: Luke Shanley
BT going for Lineker to do CL doesn't undermine Humphrey.
Lineker is an absolutely massive name, a million miles better known than anyone else in TV football in the UK - he would be the best person possible to both promote and present on BT.
But if they can't get Lineker, I would expect them to use Humphrey - chasing Lineker doesn't suggest Humphrey wouldn't be their choice if they can't get Lineker.
As already mentioned above, Keys did PL and CL for Sky and that was with Sky having far, far more PL games than BT has at the moment.
Humphrey doing PL and CL for BT wouldn't be a problem at all.
BT going for Lineker to do CL doesn't undermine Humphrey.
Lineker is an absolutely massive name, a million miles better known than anyone else in TV football in the UK - he would be the best person possible to both promote and present on BT.
But if they can't get Lineker, I would expect them to use Humphrey - chasing Lineker doesn't suggest Humphrey wouldn't be their choice if they can't get Lineker.
As already mentioned above, Keys did PL and CL for Sky and that was with Sky having far, far more PL games than BT has at the moment.
Humphrey doing PL and CL for BT wouldn't be a problem at all.
I would still be very intrigued as to why he said no, off course he covers more than just football for the BBC but surely BT didn't want on an exclusive contract?
Yes its an increase on any ones work load but someone like Lineker, who loves the sport, it wouldn't make that big difference.
Totally agree with your last point that Humphey could easily cover all 3, including any possible increase in Prem games come the next auction but they would till need a front person for their Europa League coverage.
I hope the rumour is true and BT are looking at securing someone other than Humphrey to front the CL coverage. Lineker has really grown on me over the last few months and I thought he was brilliant at the World Cup - he has a dry sense of humour and can ask insightful questions which will get a good response from pundits. Humphrey just doesn't have that. I actually thought he was brilliant on the F1 and would have put him in my Top 5 sport presenters at the time but he lacks gravitas and I find his questions so predictable and banal. After the match today, he asked Paul Scholes "How many of these players would get in the all-time greatest side?". What a terrible question - how many of Arsenal or Liverpool's current squad would get into their all-time greatest? Not very many is the answer. You just wouldn't hear Ed Chamberlin or Gary Lineker asking that - they have a bit more creativity and awareness of what's going on and seem to understand the game in such a way that they can ask more interesting and probing questions which will often spark a much more interesting and engaging conversation amongst the pundits. Him and Owen are lightweights in the coverage. I'd put Ray Stubbs up there with Shreeves, Clarke and Havord as an interviewer - he's excellent. Also, McManaman and Hargreaves are strong pundits who are worth listening to.
How do you solve a problem like Michael Owen though? I think that as much training as he's given, he just doesn't have that natural analytical eye or ability to spot something the audience might miss. Also, his voice just isn't suited to co-commentary. He has this monotone drone and annoying voice which are just unlistenable. I don't see why BT have persevered with him - they should cut their losses and either move him into a punditry role or get rid.
Overall, their coverage just doesn't have a spark and huge improvements are needed before next season with the CL becoming part of their portfolio.
Anybody watch the early start on SNF? Do they build to their game or talk about the games finishing?
They talked about the other matches first and have now moved on to the Arsenal match. They also unveiled a new "tactical area" which is just a TV on a stand.
Anybody watch the early start on SNF? Do they build to their game or talk about the games finishing?
I really don't see the logic of starting their build-up at 4.45pm when surely everyone likely to watch the match will be watching the full-times come in on Soccer Saturday.
I really don't see the logic of starting their build-up at 4.45pm when surely everyone likely to watch the match will be watching the full-times come in on Soccer Saturday.
Agree.
I also don't see the logic in adding the touch screen for tactical analysis. Redknapp doesn't offer anything generally and nothing further is added with that screen. It was quite silly having Carragher stood there barely using it whilst Redknapp did. Should have been the other way around (yes, I know it's Redknapp's show).
Dwight Yorke is on SNF Match Choice later. Hopefully that rules him out of Super Sunday.
I really don't see the logic of starting their build-up at 4.45pm when surely everyone likely to watch the match will be watching the full-times come in on Soccer Saturday.
Agreed. And instead of having Soccer Saturday on SS1 from 2.30/2.45 until 5 so they could have a full day of football on SS1 they showed it from SS5 in full as well as SSNHQ which has got to be super pointless as well as then having pointless filler on SS1. Very odd scheduling.
At least the unnecessary SNF: Team talk show has gone.
Comments
Please no. The bias will surface again if that is the case. When will Sky learn that he is not suitable for co-commentary?
He's more of a presenter on this show rather than a pundit
Perfectly good programme so far - Five Live-esque, which is never a bad thing.
That's a pretty good assessment of the show - and of Savage, who's been positively restrained so far compared to how he normally is on 606 and was during the World Cup and I wonder whether he's been deliberately told to come across like that by the producers.
One criticism of the show I will make, though, is that it seems a bit dull and flat and could do with some livening up; I'm not talking about importing the braying mob they have on Soccer AM but I think getting the crew to create just a little bit of atmosphere wouldn't go amiss.
Saying that, though, I must admit I was under the impression that Fletch & Sav would be more of a Soccer AM-type of show than just essentially another two hours of pre-match build up.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvJx3pKIEAAY8ge.jpg
Good to see - there was some occasions last year where you could see a ladder in the background.
Pretty much what I think as well.
A very swift turnaround in the space of about 16 hours: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvGeWamIcAExCz3.jpg
A crap match to choose but it has to be Leeds on at least every other week in Sky
And sadly Owen has disappeared to the comm box
I don't think people can be criticised for that given how grating his style has been on previous things he's appeared on.
As I said earlier, though, he seemed to have reined himself in - or been reined in - earlier on F&S.
Not really, or certinaly not a muckle change - the red F1 show panels have switched to the PL team logos and a change of studio light colours essentially.
Pre-game it's not too bad a choice. Leeds in their 'turmoil' and 'Boro are outsiders for promotion/playoff. Although the game has been poor so far!
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I seen about 20 minutes of Fletch and Sav - and It was more sedate than I thought it was, which is a good thing. It was decent enough. Soccer AM has been poorer for years but would still have it on in the background for the odd chuckle. Will see how BT's offering develops.
--
Celtic v Dundee Utd - SS3
David Tanner with Neil McCann
Comms: Ian Crocker and Andy Walker
Reporter: Luke Shanley
Lineker is an absolutely massive name, a million miles better known than anyone else in TV football in the UK - he would be the best person possible to both promote and present on BT.
But if they can't get Lineker, I would expect them to use Humphrey - chasing Lineker doesn't suggest Humphrey wouldn't be their choice if they can't get Lineker.
As already mentioned above, Keys did PL and CL for Sky and that was with Sky having far, far more PL games than BT has at the moment.
Humphrey doing PL and CL for BT wouldn't be a problem at all.
I would still be very intrigued as to why he said no, off course he covers more than just football for the BBC but surely BT didn't want on an exclusive contract?
Yes its an increase on any ones work load but someone like Lineker, who loves the sport, it wouldn't make that big difference.
Totally agree with your last point that Humphey could easily cover all 3, including any possible increase in Prem games come the next auction but they would till need a front person for their Europa League coverage.
How do you solve a problem like Michael Owen though? I think that as much training as he's given, he just doesn't have that natural analytical eye or ability to spot something the audience might miss. Also, his voice just isn't suited to co-commentary. He has this monotone drone and annoying voice which are just unlistenable. I don't see why BT have persevered with him - they should cut their losses and either move him into a punditry role or get rid.
Overall, their coverage just doesn't have a spark and huge improvements are needed before next season with the CL becoming part of their portfolio.
Games finishing.
They talked about the other matches first and have now moved on to the Arsenal match. They also unveiled a new "tactical area" which is just a TV on a stand.
The audience distract me.
I really don't see the logic of starting their build-up at 4.45pm when surely everyone likely to watch the match will be watching the full-times come in on Soccer Saturday.
Agree.
I also don't see the logic in adding the touch screen for tactical analysis. Redknapp doesn't offer anything generally and nothing further is added with that screen. It was quite silly having Carragher stood there barely using it whilst Redknapp did. Should have been the other way around (yes, I know it's Redknapp's show).
Dwight Yorke is on SNF Match Choice later. Hopefully that rules him out of Super Sunday.
Commentators: Dominic Johnson & Stewart Robson
World feed intro used, no presenters, Sounds like the commentary is maybe 'world feed' too.
Tomorrow: AZ v Ajax - SS5 - Richard Kaufman and Alan Curbishley
Agreed. And instead of having Soccer Saturday on SS1 from 2.30/2.45 until 5 so they could have a full day of football on SS1 they showed it from SS5 in full as well as SSNHQ which has got to be super pointless as well as then having pointless filler on SS1. Very odd scheduling.
At least the unnecessary SNF: Team talk show has gone.