With the rain falling persistently over the weekend it was a chance to take in more sport than normal via the television, and sitting there trying to avoid the betting updates plastered over the screen one thing became abundantly clear, how little insight the vast majority of ‘expert commentators’ actually give.
It is as if they have become homogenised cliched side kicks who will only offer platitudes and praise, when honesty and insight are whats wanted by the viewer.
Some, the good ones, explain why a team is on the back foot and what the manager/coach needs to change to alter the game, but sadly many ex players simply do not have that vision. Trust me, having worked with one former international athlete, this is a fact. The athlete in question asked me to explain who was the better team in the first half and why, just prior to a live cross, only to regurgitate my thoughts.
What is frustrating is the unwillingness to criticise or highlight glaring flaws in a player or a team’s performance. It appears sometimes as if the ‘expert’ has been briefed to only say positive things about everything, which is ludicrous. If a game is poor the viewer can see it, so don’t try and make it out as anything else. If a young player makes a howler of a mistake, talk about it. If a star player is under performing say so. You do not have to assassinate the young boy or girl, but you cannot ignore the truth that the viewers at home can see for themselves.
The question has to be asked are these people loathe to criticise because they fear for their jobs? If so that too is a sad state of affairs.
In the sport of football one of the reason’s ex Socceroo and Manchester United and Aston Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich is so popular is that 99% of the time he says it as it is. His slamming of Sydney FC’s performance after their 7-2 defeat against the Central Coast Mariners was warranted. They were appalling and they did capitulate, – without taking anything away from the Mariners,- and it was good to hear Bosnich be frank and honest.
The average sports fan these days is far better informed than he was twenty years ago, you cannot pull the wool over their eyes, as they sit in the comfort of their home watching. Time for some more honesty, if the ‘expert ‘ is not happy to criticise his former team mates, or young players move them on and find someone who is and who knows their stuff. When you do, watch the viewing figures climb.
Thanks All White for your comment. I must say Gary Phillips is hard to listen to.
Not sure if you recall we had a poll about a year ago on the rugby commentary and Australia did not get any votes, which says something.
Couldn’t agree more. The rugby union guys on fox are the worst. Kafer is the only one who deserves to stay. What makes it worse is when Fox send them to NZ or SA. It would be great if we could choose the commentary!
The cricket has some good some bad. NRL has the best. Their ex players are much more honest.
The football has some dreadful people now – gone downhill since you stopped doing it! – Gary Phillips is appalling he sounds like a jockey. In if you had him and Andy Harper together… two awful voices, like fingers scratching a blackboard. Would have to switch and watch netball.