Are pundits necessary?

[SkyBlueFlux]

I compare them to other sports - generally when I’m watching pundits for golf or cricket I actually learn something from what they have to say. While I might not like them all, I respect the value they bring.

Football has two problems really, one is it is a really simple game. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out what’s going on most of the time.

Second, the bar for being a pundit is just so incredibly low. Many of them repeatedly state the blindingly obvious as if it were some novel insight that only they could see. I know it’s not exactly the thinking man’s sport, but surely there’s somebody out there who actually has some eloquence and something worth saying?

The combination of these two things means these talking heads are only succeeding in annoying people.

There are some exceptions… Onuoha, Fabregas maybe? But if I hear Lee Dixon utter the words “they need to move the ball quicker” one more time…

 

[bluenova]

I compare them to other sports - generally when I’m watching pundits for golf or cricket I actually learn something from what they have to say. While I might not like them all, I respect the value they bring.

Football has two problems really, one is it is a really simple game. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out what’s going on most of the time.

Second, the bar for being a pundit is just so incredibly low. Many of them repeatedly state the blindingly obvious as if it were some novel insight that only they could see. I know it’s not exactly the thinking man’s sport, but surely there’s somebody out there who actually has some eloquence and something worth saying?

The combination of these two things means these talking heads are only succeeding in annoying people.

There are some exceptions… Onuoha, Fabregas maybe? But if I hear Lee Dixon utter the words “they need to move the ball quicker” one more time…

He retired from playing more than twenty years ago, and it sounds like he's just not bothered to pay attention to any changes in football since then. If George or Arsene didn't do it, then he just doesn't seem to understand.

I know there was a discussion about Eni Aluko today, and it reminds me of one of the ex-England players who started working as a pundit on men's matches. She said she turned up with loads of research on the teams, and points she wanted to make, and couldn't believe it when the men just wandered in hardly even aware of who was playing.

 

[BillCarlisle]

If I'm watching a City game on telly I apply the principle that when I'm going to a game there are no pundits to mither me. Apart from the pre-match drivel churned out by those pitch side (which I ignore). Therefore when watching on telly I generally switch on about 20 mins before KO just to watch Pep's impatience with the generally stupid questions. I don't need any pundits for a game I'm at, so the same applies when watching on TV. All channels should give us the option of crowd noise only, like Amazon.

 

[noblelord]

After we’ve played I keep away from the sports pages and watch the match the following day on City+. That way I can watch the match within knowing the result and also don’t have to listen to all the red &£#@ish pundits on the other channels.

 

[madloaf]

What makes football so great, the tribalism (for want of a better term), is sadly what makes punditry and football journalism in general so bad.

 

[Tuearts right boot]

Of course pundits are necessary....who else would state the bleeding obvious after the fact

 

[Crooked_rain]

I turn the game on a minute before kick off, at half time I mill about doing other things and then turn it off at the final whistle. If I want to see Pep interviewed, I'll catch up on YouTube later.

So in my case, they're not needed. Just the same old drivel trying to fill air time.

I've got no issues with having pundits, just give them less air time, like 10 minutes before a match.

But then the viewing figures probably show I'm in the minority among footy viewers.

 

[heslops barnet]

Of course pundits are necessary....who else would state the bleeding obvious after the fact

All fukin legends……..apparently

 

[doobyedoobye]

Punditry would improve if they start to employ people who do not have such obvious allegiance to a singular club.

 

[Gray]

Womens football = all female pundits.
Mens football = a complete mixed bag of race and gender.

And no, non of them are needed.

 

[Bluesince1979]

Punditry would improve if they start to employ people who do not have such obvious allegiance to a singular club.

This is it for me. The pre-after game waffle i tend to not bother with.
But when you have ex players screaming and shouting… why dont the broadcasters realise that that only appeals to the fans of that club ?

 

[jamielowndes]

Pundits are only worth the analysis they bring to me.

I dont care about "impassioned United rant #61" from Gary Neville or Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards trying to provide the bants.

Can you actually talk about the game going on in a constructive way?

I get that it's the social media era and its easier to go viral for being an idiot but it's just fucking awful TV.