Robbie Savage and other analysts

[Garry Nelson's teacher]

RS's comments prior to the game yesterday were so one-eyed they were almost surreal. Would the BBC show such indulgence to a similarly manic England fan-analyst? I got the impression his fellow pros in the Radio 5 commentary box were getting a bit pi**ed-off with him in the build-up.

Any views on other commentators/analysts? Lawro continues to drive me nuts with his limp puns and world-weary, seen-it-all remarks.

 

[Iggle Piggle]

It's been just terrible in this tournament so far. Andy Townsend has been the pick so far. That's Andy Townsend.

As someone posted on Twitter the other night, Glenn Hoddle is so dull that his Tamagochi hung itself.

 

[Gabbafella]

Lothar Matthias sounds just like one of the pigs from Shrek, I couldn't take him seriously.

 

[Mackenzie]

Jens Lehmann wasn't particularly insightful on the radio yesterday, but he seemed cheerful enough.

 

[Prince Monolulu]

I've enjoyed Bilić so far; obvious tactical nous, a good sense of humour and quite passionate.

 

[BensGrandad]

My favourite has been Thierry Henry very knowledgeable and talks sense.

 

[Bold Seagull]

I want to hate Robbie Savage I really do, honestly, I listen or watch him and all parts of me are telling me that he is a right royal twunt, BUT, it's like watching the old Top Gear, I can't help but like him. He's passionate, opinionated, he enjoys a bit of rib taking, I thought him and Keown on commentary were great, arguing over decisions, getting behind their teams.

Compared to your stereotypical clean cut cliche ridden BBC pundit, I think he is a lively, enjoyable presence. He was honest and clear in his analysis afterwards, and despite being a passionate fan, I think he keeps a great level of objectivity considering, and doesn't take himself too seriously, but does, if you see what I mean...

 

[crabface]

I wish i could have hair like Christian Karembeu.

 

[JJ McClure]

I've enjoyed Bilić so far; obvious tactical nous, a good sense of humour and quite passionate.

Agree, Bilić has been really good to watch. Seems very smart and able to explain the game well.

 

[spring hall convert]

RS's comments prior to the game yesterday were so one-eyed they were almost surreal. Would the BBC show such indulgence to a similarly manic England fan-analyst? I got the impression his fellow pros in the Radio 5 commentary box were getting a bit pi**ed-off with him in the build-up.

I'm no defender of pundits but it's quite clear that Savage is/was on a deliberate wind-up. I thought he was quite good value yesterday, listening to 5 Live it sounded like Chris Waddle was going to explode in the build up.

The same shtick wouldn't work if it were an England fan doing it about England.

 

[spring hall convert]

Agree, Bilić has been really good to watch. Seems very smart and able to explain the game well.

And you can clearly see why he's rated as a man manager. Proper charmer.

 

[MattBackHome]

Lehmann, Dixon, Bilic, Mattheus are having good tournaments. Wright is being surprisingly lucid and interesting as well. Shearer has improved LOADS. Lawro and Sav are as bad as they've ever been. Henry is better here than on Sky.

 

[spring hall convert]

Wright is being surprisingly lucid and interesting as well.

I was going to say this. I normally hate him, glad someone else has picked up on it.

 

[Austrian Gull]

Sounds like BBC/ITV are using some interesting continental talent - Bilic (intelligent), Matthaüs (not very), Karembeu.

The German channels have been quite imaginative. So far, I've seen Phil Neville (likeable but too safe), Uwe Rösler (good), Marius Trésor (like your favourite uncle). The two main analysts are Oliver Kahn and Mehmet Scholl who are both outspoken and interesting.

Austrian TV sticks to the same old suspects but the commentator for the game against Hungary was totally partisan. Every refereeing decision was lambasted against and, afterwards, he claimed that Hungary winning was a sensation!

 

[Maldini]

The black girl on ITV.I get it that the liberals want to involve women and women do play and support football however please get one on who knows what the hell she's talking about and is confident on TV.

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

Why are the BBC (5Live) continuing to quote Lehmann's remarks about Joe Hart and loss of confidence, can they not see he's trying to feed this thought into Hart's head FFS

 

[Garry Nelson's teacher]

I want to hate Robbie Savage I really do, honestly, I listen or watch him and all parts of me are telling me that he is a right royal twunt, BUT, it's like watching the old Top Gear, I can't help but like him. He's passionate, opinionated, he enjoys a bit of rib taking, I thought him and Keown on commentary were great, arguing over decisions, getting behind their teams.

Compared to your stereotypical clean cut cliche ridden BBC pundit, I think he is a lively, enjoyable presence. He was honest and clear in his analysis afterwards, and despite being a passionate fan, I think he keeps a great level of objectivity considering, and doesn't take himself too seriously, but does, if you see what I mean...

Yes - you are right. He was actually very fair in the match itself and I don't usually mind him. But he was uber-annoying in the build-up..........but, hey, passions were running high.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Yes - you are right. He was actually very fair in the match itself and I don't usually mind him. But he was uber-annoying in the build-up..........but, hey, passions were running high.

What I love though is how he sets himself up to be easily cut down. You can't stop a world class player / Iceland did with Ronaldo / Yeah, but......ha Waddle had him with that one which was funny, but in the end, Robbie was right, Bale scored with about their only chance!

 

[Simster]

Another one here who hasn't minded Savage on telly at all. He's Welsh. They haven't been in a tournament since 1958, they won their first game and went a goal up against England. Surely we can forgive him for being a bit bias and passionate in the circumstances?

 

[Machiavelli]

I want to hate Robbie Savage I really do, honestly, I listen or watch him and all parts of me are telling me that he is a right royal twunt, BUT, it's like watching the old Top Gear, I can't help but like him. He's passionate, opinionated, he enjoys a bit of rib taking, I thought him and Keown on commentary were great, arguing over decisions, getting behind their teams.

Compared to your stereotypical clean cut cliche ridden BBC pundit, I think he is a lively, enjoyable presence. He was honest and clear in his analysis afterwards, and despite being a passionate fan, I think he keeps a great level of objectivity considering, and doesn't take himself too seriously, but does, if you see what I mean...

You've managed to precisely articulate my view on Savage too. I also really enjoyed the Keown-Savage pseudo-arguments yesterday.
I'm also stunned to say that Shearer has really improved, although he could hardly have become less insightful. Bilic is a sheer joy, and Jenas is always worth listening to.
Currently not enjoying Waddle and, even worse, Mills who is the very definition of self-importance.