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[telegramsam]

Originally Posted by andy_m

No, there are some ex pros who are excellent pundits. What I'm saying is it doesn't necessarily follow that every ex pro will be good. Gary Neville is excellent, so is Danny Murphy, but Robbie Fowler is dreadful. Glenn Hoddle, not just a great player but also a very good coach, is always worth listening to, Alan Shearer had upped his game, but Robbie Savage is a clown.

What I said was that some ex pros don't understand the game, and I stand by that.

As far as the anchor goes I can't think of many ex pros who could have chaired a conversation for three hours live on tv whilst an England match was eventually called off, I think it's probably a much difficult job than you think, and what I've always liked about Chiles is that he's a football fan, like you and me, not a player (well, I never got near that level, anyway). Stood on the terraces as a kid and still goes now when he can. He's asking these ex pros the sort of questions we would ask, and as a result he's getting the sort of analysis we would want - it doesn't matter that he can't provide it himself.

As for who else could do it I reckon there are probably enough Gary Neville's out there to keep us going, but there are probably also some very knowledgeable, and articulate, sports journalists who would be worth listening to. One of the best members of the BBC's World Cup team was their South American football correspondent who's name I forget but who was based out there. No-one else on their team came close to him. Imo.

Couldn`t of put it better myself

[Gavin-D]

Originally Posted by Chad

Been reading a lot about the sale of Premiership rights this week, and the pending bidding process. Does anyone know if it's still the case that no one broadcaster can buy all the available rights? The reason I ask is the below press release from the European Commission dated 22nd March 2006, and links contained in the article, appear to suggest otherwise:

The answer is no the maximum number of games available to one provider is 126

So if they stay with Sky and BT Sky could get 126 games and BT could get 42

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by Gavin-D

The answer is no the maximum number of games available to one provider is 126

So if they stay with Sky and BT Sky could get 126 games and BT could get 42

There's no restrictment to do this now however this is what the premier league wants because it gains even more revenue.

[harry_hitch]

Originally Posted by andy_m

No, there are some ex pros who are excellent pundits. What I'm saying is it doesn't necessarily follow that every ex pro will be good. Gary Neville is excellent, so is Danny Murphy, but Robbie Fowler is dreadful. Glenn Hoddle, not just a great player but also a very good coach, is always worth listening to, Alan Shearer had upped his game, but Robbie Savage is a clown.

What I said was that some ex pros don't understand the game, and I stand by that.

As far as the anchor goes I can't think of many ex pros who could have chaired a conversation for three hours live on tv whilst an England match was eventually called off, I think it's probably a much difficult job than you think, and what I've always liked about Chiles is that he's a football fan, like you and me, not a player (well, I never got near that level, anyway). Stood on the terraces as a kid and still goes now when he can. He's asking these ex pros the sort of questions we would ask, and as a result he's getting the sort of analysis we would want - it doesn't matter that he can't provide it himself.

As for who else could do it I reckon there are probably enough Gary Neville's out there to keep us going, but there are probably also some very knowledgeable, and articulate, sports journalists who would be worth listening to. One of the best members of the BBC's World Cup team was their South American football correspondent who's name I forget but who was based out there. No-one else on their team came close to him. Imo.

I get the impression Savage was only hired to add a bit of controversy. But you are right, there are some duff ex-players out there, and the audition process the studios use, really must improve. I would still prefer to have a anchor or pundit who has played in big world cup/ European cup matches. How can a journalist possibly know what that experience is like?

I don't think I underestimate the job of an anchor. Chiles may have held it together for 3 hours before the world cup, but don't forget they had ad breaks, where others can feed him stuff to talk about, and also an ear piece so others could help him during the live broadcast. Most people can ask questions that are being fed to you if you run of out questions to ask yourself. Let's say Nicky Butt (a generally well respected footballer) was anchor and asking the questions, and a pundit gave a holding midfielder some stick which the anchor (Nicky Butt) disagreed with. Nicky Butt, who has played in that position at the highest level won just about everything an Englishman can expect to win, would be able to respond with a much better question or counter argument than you, me, a journalist, Adrian Chiles, Jake Humphries, Matt Smith, Richard Keys or Ben Shephard.

Let's not forget players were fans too and would have attended many games when children, I am sure many still attend games too. Their passion for the game is just as real as anyone else.

I fear we may have to agree to disagree on this point, I am happy to read your response, but I am happy to leave it there if you are.

[Arthurgray50@blu]

There was a comment in the press this week. That BT have beaten Sky, to the main package.

If that's true, you can bet that someone will get cheaper TV for football

But when do the viewer know the results. I know it takes place over several days

ie The Main package, then three small ones

[spankysmagicpian]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

There was a comment in the press this week. That BT have beaten Sky, to the main package.

If that's true, you can bet that someone will get cheaper TV for football

But when do the viewer know the results. I know it takes place over several days

ie The Main package, then three small ones

There's no 'main package' Arthur. Just 5 of 28 and 2 of 14 I think.

[denphone]

Sky Sports poised to snatch Open rights from BBC for £10m a year.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/201...pen-rights-bbc

[vincerooney]

Weren't virgin media trying to block the sale? But its gone ahead? Ha ******* premier league doing what they want

Also no broadcaster can buy all the rights can they? It's not the premier leagues decision it was the European courts wasn't it?

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by vincerooney

But its gone ahead?

The sale has not gone ahead yet.

[Dave42]

Sky Sports ‏@SkySports · 1m1 minute ago
Sky Sports to exclusively broadcast The Open live from 2017 after signing five-year deal with R&A.

[denphone]

No surprise there Dave.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by Dave42

Sky Sports ‏@SkySports · 1m1 minute ago
Sky Sports to exclusively broadcast The Open live from 2017 after signing five-year deal with R&A.

Link

[Dave42]

Originally Posted by denphone

No surprise there Dave.

none at all Den lets see what happens with the footy now

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Dave42

none at all Den lets see what happens with the footy now

l think it will be Sky who will win 5 packages and BT will win two but then again what do l know.

[Dave42]

Originally Posted by denphone

l think it will be Sky who win 5 packages and BT will win two but then again what do l know.

would be happy with that sky got best coverage by far