The Rugby is on 1458AM instead of the Football

BBC Radio Merseyside
Liverpool v Oldham Mike Hughes and Jimmy Case (commentary)
Ian Kennedy and Ronnie Goodlass were yesterday's commentators for Everton v QPR.

BBC Radio Cumbria
Sunderland v Carlisle James Phillips and Chris Lumsden (commentary)

It's Dean Kiely at Anfield on Sports Extra

Bidmead did tweet that he picked up the job at very late notice.

Sunday 5th January - Newstalk 106-108FM

Joe Molloy presented Off The Ball alongside Adrian Barry

FA Cup Third Round (as IRN)
Sunderland v Carlisle United - Al Ross
Derby County v Chelsea - Clive Edwards
Liverpool v Oldham Athletic - Shane Pinnington
Manchester United v Swansea City - Peter Smith

Gaelic Football: GAA O'Byrne Cup
Westmeath v Dublin - Dave McIntyre

Regarding Nigel Bidmead reporting on Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur last night, as rufuseric has mentioned above Nigel tweeted that he was given a late call to cover the game for IRN as the scheduled reporter was ill. Ian Fergus - I'm not sure whether you are familiar with Nigel's voice, but if not could it be that the person who introduced one of his updates on the station you were listening to was not given the information about the change and so mistakenly namechecked the originally scheduled reporter instead? This sounds plausible to me.

Just a few addition details about this weekend and next's talkSPORT coverage - on the presenting front, while Dan Lobb, Mark Saggers and Ian Danter hosted the games they presented from Ewood Park, the City Ground and Old Trafford respectively as you would expect, it was actually Adrian Durham hosting coverage of the North London derby from his 3pm base of Goodison Park (this is the way they usually present their coverage of Saturday 5.30pm Premier League games) rather than Danny Kelly (who was at the Emirates for the post-match phone-in), while Ian Danter took the reigns of Sunday Exclusive at half-time in the Derby County v Chelsea game.

Onto next weekend and it appears as if Stan Collymore will be absent for a second week running. Sam Matterface's co-commentators are scheduled to be Alvin Martin at Manchester United v Swansea City on Saturday (as mentioned by Dants tonight) and Michael Gray at Newcastle United v Manchester City on Sunday. Danny Kelly is in the talkSPORT.co.uk schedule as hosting Call Collymore on the Saturday. No idea why this is, Stan's been active on Twitter so it doesn't appear as if he's ill or anything like that, perhaps it's as simple as him getting a few weeks holiday in ahead of a five-week stint at the World Cup in the summer (although FA Cup Third Round weekend does seem an odd one to miss if so).

Afraid I agree with Sedge4 about Andrew McKenna. I thought he was great as a rugby commentator on the lions tour last summer but wasn’t great on football commentary IMO. If they do use him for the world cup, I hope it will only be on some low profile group matches that may well be done off-tube anyway. Talksport have some excellent commentators available—John Roda is excellent and I thought Nigel Aderley did a great job on the Manchester United V Swansea game yesterday and I just don’t think Andrew is at their level. He may improve if given more matches, but I think it is clear that rugby is where he is most at home commentary wise. I have to say though that I did enjoy Danny Higginbotham’s co-commentary and hope we hear more of him in the future. .

re my last post, it was of course John Roder and not Roda-- it is too late to edit my last post but thought I better address it as correct spelling of commentators names is a hot topic for some! $

Interesting to get some feedback on how Andrew McKenna fared on commentary duty yesterday. I would have liked to have caught a bit of him myself but Nottingham Forest v West Ham United was one game I was able to watch in full on TV (I managed to catch at least a bit of all of talkSPORT's commentaries on the BT Sport games).

I think ever since he replaced Mike Bovill as Full Contact presenter a few years ago now, Macca is always going to be classed as talkSPORT's main rugby union correspondent first and foremost - you'll notice that he rarely reports on football matches these days, what with his weekday afternoon sports reading duties combined with his aforementioned Sunday show. However, with him impressing as a lead commentator both at the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and in Australia last summer, combined with other factors such as this game being in his native city at a time of year when he may have been in the vicinity visiting relatives (he has been absent from the newsdesk I've noticed) and with other commentators being unavailable - Sam Matterface working for TV and Ian Danter on presenting duty - I think that all things considered, it made sense to give Macca an opportunity here.

I think if Andrew McKenna is going to be one of talkSPORT's World Cup commentators it'll be as Steve says, among those who are a bit further down the pecking order commentating (presumably off-tube) on lower profile games during the group phase. Presuming John Roder, Nigel Adderley and Ian Danter are available (if not Matterface due to his ITV commitments), they'd be the three commentators you'd expect to hear at the World Cup - Danter being particularly useful as he can double up as an on-site presenter - with Nigel Pearson (who is on a par with Adderley and Danter in terms of domestic seniority, but his speedway, darts and family commitments have prevented him from travelling to the last two big tournaments) heading up their off-tube commentary output of lower profile games during the group stage. But talkSPORT will probably need a few more voices during the first round, which is where someone like Macca - who is on talkSPORT's staff - may come in. I think the two other commentators/reporters who stand a good chance of being called upon in this capacity are Geoff Peters and Graham Beecroft, both current or former presenters who've commentated in this way for them at previous international tournaments. Incidentally Geoff and Graham (who were at Aston Villa v Sheffield United and Everton v QPR respectively) were the two reporters who did the longer spells of intermittent commentary between 3-5pm during Matchday Live on Saturday.

If Sam Matterface turns out to be unavailable for the world cup on TS, it’ll be interesting to see who TS have as their number 1 commentator out of that lot (unless they bring someone in which is probably unlikely). Roder would be my guess but it’ll be interesting to see what happens nearer the time.

BBC Radio Scotland, 5/1/14

Richard Gordon presenting Sportsound on 810MW.

St Mirren v Celtic (12.45pm) - Rob Maclean and Murdo MacLeod (commentary) with Chick Young pitchside
Kilmarnock v Aberdeen - Paul Mitchell, Willie Miller and Billy Dodds (commentary) with Charlie Mann pitchside
Dundee Utd v Hibernian - Jim Spence
Hearts v Partick Thistle - Brian McLaughlin
Stenhousemuir v The Rangers - Derek Ferguson

Tuesday 7th January - talkSPORT

Mark Saggers presenting Kick Off: Capital One Cup Special from the Stadium of Light alongside Michael Gray

Capital One Cup Semi-Final First Leg
Sunderland v Manchester United - Nigel Adderley and Michael Gray (7.45pm commentary), with Graham Courtney at pitchside

Between 4-7pm, Adrian Durham and Alvin Martin presented Drive Time from the Gatsby bar on Park Lane in Sunderland city centre. A number of special guests including BBC Radio Newcastle Mackems pundit Gary Bennett joined them in the bar for the programme, which was produced by Mike Bovill and George Cummins. Adrian and Alvin will be presenting tomorrow's Drive Time from a bar outside the Etihad Stadium.


talkSPORT Live

Capital One Cup Semi-Final First Leg
Sunderland v Manchester United - Tom Rennie and Paul McVeigh

John Murray and Chris Waddle tonight for 5Live

Alan Green and Danny Mills tomorrow

Sat 3pm is Cardiff vs West Ham which is no surprise at all

It will be interesting next Tuesday to see if they go with the TV choice of Fulham/Norwich or maybe MK Dons/Wigan

talkSPORT have gone with Fulham v Norwich and, of course, Manchester City v Blackburn.

Wednesday 8th January - talkSPORT

Mark Saggers presenting Kick Off: Capital One Cup Special from the Etihad Stadium alongside Ray Houghton

Capital One Cup Semi-Final First Leg
Manchester City v West Ham United - Sam Matterface and Ray Houghton (7.45pm commentary), with Dom McGuinness at pitchside

Rather than hosting from a pub near the ground, Adrian Durham and Alvin Martin have been presenting Drive Time from a box within the Etihad Stadium between 4-7pm. Mike Bovill and George Cummins were on producing duty once again, with Joe Corrigan among the guests.


talkSPORT Live

Capital One Cup Semi-Final First Leg
Manchester City v West Ham United - Alex Crook and Alan McLoughlin

BBC Bristol / Somerset

Dan Albutt (studio host)

Crawley Town v Bristol Rovers (FA Cup 2nd round replay) - Ian Randall and Keith Brookman (94.9FM / 95.5FM / 104.6FM / DAB / Online)

BBC London

Tuesday - Shrewsbury v Leyton Orient - Phil Parry and Dave Victor - commentary on DAB

Wednesday - Manchester City v West Ham - Phil Parry and Steve Froggatt - commentary on DAB

BBC Radio Manchester

Tuesday - Sunderland v Manchester United - Bill Rice - reports

Wednesday - Manchester City v West Ham - Ian Cheeseman and Shaun Goater - commentary

so if sam whatsyaface is commertating for itv this summer that means itv pay is greater than talksports? his itv games will be a lot less high profile than what he would do for talksport. i personally think he will be on talksport as number 1, and maybe itv for games that arent covered live

I guess the respective amount of pay ITV and talkSPORT can offer must come into it, others have said that he'd get far wider exposure on television than he would on radio. Sam wouldn't be the only person in this boat - Ray Houghton has been doing co-commentaries for RTE TV at international tournaments for many years now and he has long been one of talkSPORT's leading co-commentators and pundits on domestic and European club games.

As to whether Sam can combine his ITV and talkSPORT commitments, I personally think it comes down to where ITV position him in their commentary pecking order. It's pretty obvious that Clive Tydesley will be their lead commentator, but it's anyone's guess whether Sam or Jon Champion will be classed as his deputy. On one hand Champion has a vastly longer tenure with ITV and has far more television experience, on the other hand Matterface has covered more games - and arguably a more attractive set games at that - for ITV than Champion this season.

If Matterface is ITV's number two, you'd see him staying with them deep into the knockout phase, maybe commentating on a live quarter-final and the semi-final that is live on BBC One for ITV's highlights, possibly the Third Place Play-Off too leaving him only available to work for talkSPORT on the final (which would undermine their other lead commentators). Should he be their number three though, I think there's a possibility that ITV won't require him beyond the quarter-finals or even the second round, which could allow him to return to talkSPORT for maybe a later quarter-final onwards. Should he be their number three and mostly be doing (some off-tube?) commentaries for ITV's highlights, it may even be possible for him to share his time between the two broadcasters, commentating on England's group games and a few other more attractive group games for talkSPORT before becoming more prominent on there during the knockout phase - similar to the role Mike Ingham has had on Radio 5 Live at recent international tournaments.

Friday 10th January - talkSPORT

Richard Keys and Andy Gray presenting Kick Off from Doha, Qatar

Championship
Leicester City v Derby County - Ian Danter

BBC Radio Scotland, 10/1/14

Dougie Vipond presenting Sportsound on 810MW, with Tom English.

Aberdeen v Hibernian (7.45pm) - Liam McLeod, Willie Miller and Craig Paterson (commentary) with Jim Spence pitchside

BBC RADIO LEICESTER (& BBC RADIO 5 LIVE SPORTS EXTRA)

CHAMPIONSHIP
Leicester City v Derby County - Jason Bourne presenting from the King Power Stadium, with Ian Stringer and Alan Young (commentary)


BBC RADIO DERBY

CHAMPIONSHIP
Leicester City v Derby County - Owen Bradley presenting from the King Power Stadium, with Ed Dawes and Craig Ramage (commentary)

BBC RADIO 5 LIVE

PREMIER LEAGUE
Hull v Chelsea - John Murray and Kevin Kilbane (12:45 commentary)
Cardiff v West Ham - Ian Dennis and Steve Claridge (15:00 commentary)
Fulham v Chelsea - John Southall
Everton v Norwich - Conor McNamara
Southampton v West Brom - John Hunt
Tottenham v Crystal Palace - Jonathan Overend
Manchester United v Swansea - John Acres

CHAMPIONSHIP
Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds - Steve May
Bolton v Nottinham Forest - Damien Johnson
Huddersfield v Milwall - Mike Sewell
Ipswich v QPR - Simon Mann
Yeovil v Burnley - Andy Gillies

LEAGUE ONE
Brentford v Port Vale - Rob Nothman

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP
Hearts v Motherwell - Ian Turner

Saturday 11th January

BBC WM

BBC WM Sport with Paul Franks Live from St Mary's

Premier League
Mark Regan and Paul Franks: Southampton v West Bromwich Albion (Live on 95.6 FM)

Championship
Richard Wilford: Brighton & Hove Albion v Birmingham City (Live on DAB in Birmingham)

League One
Rob Gurney: Tranmere Rovers v Walsall
Mike Taylor: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Preston North End (Live on DAB in the Black Country)

Saturday 11th January - talkSPORT

Adrian Durham presenting Matchday Live from the Cardiff City Stadium with Ray Parlour at Craven Cottage, followed by Call Collymore with Sam Matterface from Old Trafford

Premier League
Hull City v Chelsea - Graham Courtney
Cardiff City v West Ham United - Nigel Pearson and Adrian Durham
Everton v Norwich City - Graham Beecroft
Fulham v Sunderland - Ian Abrahams and Ray Parlour
Southampton v West Bromwich Albion - Tony Incenzo
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace - Mike Bovill
Manchester United v Swansea City - Sam Matterface and Alvin Martin (5.30pm commentary), with Dom McGuinness at pitchside and Carl Ralley producing

Championship
Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United - Grahame Lloyd
Blackpool v Middlesbrough - Simon Humphreys
Bolton Wanderers v Nottingham Forest - John Temple
Ipswich Town v Queens Park Rangers - Kev Lawrence
Watford v Reading - Geoff Peters
Yeovil Town v Burnley - Roger Hughes

Rugby Union: Heineken Cup Pool 4
Harlequins v Clermont Auvergne - Russell Hargreaves


talkSPORT Live

Premier League
Hull City v Chelsea - Richard Connelly and Bobby Gould
Cardiff City v West Ham United - Tim Long
Everton v Norwich City - Dan Wheeler
Fulham v Sunderland - James Fielden
Southampton v West Bromwich Albion - Kevin Hatchard
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace - Adam Bridge and Darren Eadie (featured 3pm commentary on international radio stations)
Manchester United v Swansea City - Alex Crook and Darren Eadie


Absolute Radio

Russ Williams presenting Rock 'N' Roll Football Live alongside Stewart Robson, followed by Ian Wright and Ian Stone on the phone-in

Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace - Jim Proudfoot and Clarke Carlisle (3pm commentary)


Today FM

Michael McMullan presenting Premier League Live with Mark Lawrenson between 2-3pm, followed by Fanzone with Johnny Lyons

Premier League
Hull City v Chelsea - Nathan Murphy
Cardiff City v West Ham United - Alun Jenkins
Everton v Norwich City - Ron Jones and Brian Kerr (3pm commentary)
Fulham v Sunderland - Graham Miller
Southampton v West Bromwich Albion - Ian Beach
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace - Alan Tolley


Newstalk 106-108FM

Ger Gilroy presenting Off The Ball with Adrian Barry

Premier League (as IRN)
Hull City v Chelsea - Al Ross
Cardiff City v West Ham United - Sam Fleet
Everton v Norwich City - Paul Anthony
Fulham v Sunderland - Andrew Cheal
Southampton v West Bromwich Albion - Alan Lewis
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace - Guy Swindells

Volvo Golf Champions
Durban Country Club, South Africa - Nick Dye

Rugby Union: Heineken Cup Pool 6
Gloucester v Munster - Dave McIntyre, Keith Wood, Eddie O'Sullivan and Liam Toland (6pm commentary)

Rugby Union: Heineken Cup Pool 5
Ulster v Montpellier Herault (Friday) - Dave McIntyre, Eddie O'Sullivan and Bryn Cunningham (8pm commentary)

Between 2-3pm today, Newstalk broadcast a GAA forum from Croke Park hosted by Diarmuid Lyng.


Free Radio 80s

Tom Ross presenting The Goalzone from the AMEX Stadium

Premier League
Southampton v West Bromwich Albion - Chris Coles and Tony Brown (3pm commentary on 990AM and 1017AM in the Black Country and Shropshire)

Championship
Brighton & Hove Albion v Birmingham City - Tom Ross and Kevan Broadhurst (3pm commentary in Birmingham)

League One
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Preston North End - Mikey Burrows and Andy Thompson (3pm commentary on DAB in the Black Country and Shropshire)

BBC Radio Wales

888 Tan's Dragons v West Ham United - Simon Davies (host) Rob Phillips and Ian Walsh (SE FM / SE Wales DAB & SW FM / SW Wales DAB)
Accrington Stanley v Newport County - Carl Roberts and Jason Perry (updates)
Wrexham v FC Halifax Town - Gareth Blainey and Kevin Ratcliffe (North FM / NE Wales DAB / Online)
Bala Town v Carmarthen Town (The Word Legue Cup final) - Marc Lloyd Williams
Toulon v Cardiff Blues (Heineken Cup RU) (1540GMT KO) - Gareth Charles and Martyn Williams (AM / Online)
Newport-Gwent Dragons v Bath (Amlin Challenge Cup RU) - Phil Steele

Toulon v Cardiff Blues also a 5LSX simulcast

BBC Radio Cymru

888 Tan's Dragons v West Ham United - Eleri Siôn (host) John Hardy and Osian Roberts (Nationwide FM commentary)
Accrington Stanley v Newport County - Carl Roberts (updates)
Wrexham v FC Halifax Town - Owain Llyr (updates)
Bala Town v Carmarthen Town (The Word Legue Cup final) - Marc Lloyd Williams
Toulon v Cardiff Blues (Heineken Cup RU) (1540GMT KO) - Cennydd Davies and Alun Lewis (Digital TV/Radio commentary)
Newport-Gwent Dragons v Bath (Amlin Challenge Cup RU) - Huw Llewellyn Davies

BBC Bristol / Somerset

Geoff Twentyman (studio host)

Yeovil Town v Burnley - Andy Howard and Chris Spittles (95.5FM)
Bradford City v Bristol City - Richard Hoskin and Adam Baker (94.9FM / 1566MW / DAB)
Bristol Rovers v Exeter City - Ed Hadwin and Keith Brookman (1548MW)
Newport-Gwent Dragons v Bath (Amlin Challenge Cup RU) (1430GMT Ko) - Andrew Sheridan and Tom Bradshaw (106.FM / Online)

BFBS Radio

Harlequins v Clermont-Auvergne (Heineken Cup RU) - 'New Dad' Russell Hargreaves