How should Sky improve their football coverage?

Dont be at yourself

Imagine you've been appointed head of production at Sky Sports, with a remit to revamp The football coverage in the wake of Sexismgate. What would you do, keeping in mind Sky's obligations to sponsors and the idiot masses?

Me? Out with Keys and the rotating list of ex-players (Eidur Gudjonsen, Dion Dublin, etc...) and in with a never-changing line-up to build a rapport with the audience. Jeff Stelling as anchorman, with a crank like Souness or Strachan to provide a bit of tactical analysis, but mostly to get the blood boiling. Stick in a charismatic ex-player with an excellent record (McManaman?). Chris Kamara pitch-side for pre- and post-match interviews. Martin Taylor and Jim Beglin in the commentary box? Nothing too offensive there, but an improvement on the current lot.

Maybe a bit more opinionated MNF with James Richardson, Marcotti etc would also work.

Jamie could be relegated to Soccer AM or some other crap.

KeithAFC

SKY is a PC channel in that they don't want to offend and lose subscriptions. So if you put people like say Dunphy and Giles on SKY. People will just complain about the slagging off of their team and players.

amiable

KeithAFC wrote: »

SKY is a PC channel in that they don't want to offend and lose subscriptions. So if you put people like say Dunphy and Giles on SKY. People will just complain about the slagging off of their team and players.

All British Tv is gone too Pc IMO.
I'd sack Redknapp and get someone with their own opinion who doesn't suck up to the guests

smokedeels

KeithAFC wrote: »

So if you put people like say Dunphy and Giles on SKY. People will just complain about the slagging off of their team and players.

I complain about them two all the time, it's not the slagging off, it's the uninformed slagging off.

KeithAFC

Its entertaining. If you watch football coverage to get your facts or to learn something, just stop.

Mr. Guappa

Sky do a lot of things very well to give them their due.. their in-match coverage is top class, with cameras everywhere giving multiple angles of every incident.

At the end of the day they have a 24 hour sports news channel that needs plenty access to clubs to fill air-time. Any overboard criticism of players/managers could result in a Fergie/BBC type situation which would affect the ouput on SSN. Sky are not going to rock the boat by introducing straight-talking pundits who will tell it like it is and in the process p*ss off loads of people in the game.

The FA switched the England international coverage from BBC to ITV partly in response to criticism from the BBC panel.. Sky will not allow something like that to happen them.

Mr.Crinklewood

Wonder if the moralistic Sky Sports would lower themselves to have soccerettes?

eagle eye

Bring back Andy Gray.

I'm a big fan of Sam Allardyce but he was boring as hell last night and so are most of the others that do the color commentary. Gray is really good at it though.

AgileMyth

There are very few pundits anywhere that are in the same league as Dunphy and Giles. At least they'll tell you what they think. Obviously they wouldn't suit Sky because of that.

Sky should try to get Souness on board.

smokedeels

KeithAFC wrote: »

Its entertaining. If you watch football coverage to get your facts or to learn something, just stop.

It's good a laugh sometimes, in small doses, but - for me - it's got a little tedious, I actually would like to learn something new watching football analysis, is that so strange?

everdead.ie

Dunphy, Giles, Souness presented by Redknapp to keep things on the football and off Souness credentials.
Think that'd be class

KeithAFC

smokedeels wrote: »

It's good a laugh sometimes, in small doses, but - for me - it's got a little tedious, I actually would like to learn something new watching football analysis, is that so strange?

Yes.

Paul Tergat

Dunphy and Giles are just horrible pundits. Whatever about the Sky pundits but Dunphy is just there cause he causes a stir and Giles is too old school and shouldnt be near TV anymore. Both are horrible.

JokerD

Robbie Savage seems to be getting more work, 606, ESPN and I heard him commentate on Cardiff V Swansea on BBC. Would tick the charismatic box anyway. I find him interesting to listen to as he speaks his mind and has played against the majority of current Premiership players, therefore has a good insight on their game.

Mr.Nice Guy

I don't mind the way they alternate presenters because I think with the amount of football they have it would be overkill to see the same people all the time.

I would like to see Keys replaced. As for Gray, as I said in the other thread I'd be fine with Alan Smith taking over. I think Didi Hamann should be on TV more as I like his analysis when he's on. I also don't mind Souness. If there was less of Redknapp the station would look pretty promising all of a sudden.

homolumo

Clarke Carlisle should get more air time and not just because he was on Question Time. Always thought he was good the few times he was on. Didi Hamann as well.

Ally Dick

Getting rid of Andy Gray was the best thing they ever did. He was getting too big for his boots. They should sling out the jumped up breakfast tv presenter Keys now. He will be useless without Gray. He knows nothing about football. Get in another duo who will be impartial

starbelgrade

What about topless female pundits?

OPENROAD

KeithAFC wrote: »

SKY is a PC channel in that they don't want to offend and lose subscriptions. So if you put people like say Dunphy and Giles on SKY. People will just complain about the slagging off of their team and players.

And would Dunphy and Giles give the same kind of Punditry on sky anyway?

Aidric

NekkidBibleMan wrote: »

Martin Taylor and Jim Beglin in the commentary box? Nothing too offensive there, but an improvement on the current lot.

Who is Martin Taylor?

amiable

Aidric wrote: »

Who is Martin Taylor?

I presume the poster meant Martin Tyler????

amiable

Richard Keys in more trouble?????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvsaG3b9uVY

Its an old one but it will get dragged up

3hn2givr7mx1sc

Jeff Stelling
Souness-Hamann-Redknapp

That'd be my preffered formation, Redknapp is never gonna be sacked unless he does something stupid.

amiable

baz2009 wrote: »

Jeff Stelling
Souness-Hamann-Redknapp

That'd be my preffered formation, Redknapp is never gonna be sacked unless he does something stupid.

I like listening to Souness myself

Zebra3

How should Sky improve their football coverage?

Not have Redknapp on.

That'd be a huge start.

3hn2givr7mx1sc

Zebra3 wrote: »

Not have Redknapp on.

That'd be a huge start.

I hope he does get caught out for doing something like Gray and Keys.

amiable

homolumo wrote: »

Clarke Carlisle should get more air time and not just because he was on Question Time. Always thought he was good the few times he was on. Didi Hamann as well.

Top bloke. Been through the mill and come out the other side.
Great with kids too. Really top bloke.

SeantheMan

Zebra3 wrote: »

Not have Redknapp on.

That'd be a huge start.

Idd, he drives me mental.
Gets asked a question...answers it somewhat...but then turns to the other panelists and asks them a different question..which isn't his job !!

And add to that for improvements, easy, Get Dunphy, Giles and Brady as permanent panelists on it !....no Bill needed

amiable

SeantheMan wrote: »

Idd, he drives me mental.
Gets asked a question...answers it somewhat...but then turns to the other panelists and asks them a different question..which isn't his job !!

And add to that for improvements, easy, Get Dunphy, Giles and Brady as permanent panelists on it !....no Bill needed

Someone should tell him what the word 'literally' means as well. They literally should

OPENROAD

SeantheMan wrote: »

Idd, he drives me mental.
Gets asked a question...answers it somewhat...but then turns to the other panelists and asks them a different question..which isn't his job !!

And add to that for improvements, easy, Get Dunphy, Giles and Brady as permanent panelists on it !....no Bill needed

Maybe get Dixon, Keown and Shearer to replace them for all rte's football coverage?

murpho999

If I was boss:

I would get rid of Keys......apart from all the scandals, just too smug for me!

Tell Martin Tyler to stop screaming 'It's Liiiive!' before every game!

Sack Jamie Redknapp as I find his tight gonad hugging suits and narrow ties offensive.

Stop that 'whoosh' noise with every screen flash that comes up on screen.

Think Jeff Stelling would be best presenter as he is enthusiastic, funny, genuine football fan and seems to know his stuff.

Do not replace Andy Gray with one person but have rotating co-commentators on Sundays so that they all get a go at Andy's touchscreen on Last Word and keep show fresh.

Have interviews with refs after games....would be good.

Gerty

baz2009 wrote: »

Jeff Stelling
Souness-Hamann-Redknapp

That'd be my preffered formation, Redknapp is never gonna be sacked unless he does something stupid.

It drives me mental when people stick up some stupid formations like that.


Jeff Stelling

Hamann - Souness - Redknapp

Fixed.

PHB

I really like Souness. Actually understands football (unlike Dunphy or Giles), but still has interesting opinions.

I wonder if they'll poach from BBC. I really like Linekar personally as a host. Think he's nice and genuine and somewhat funny. Would be a clear step up for him too.

murpho999

PHB wrote: »

I really like Souness. Actually understands football (unlike Dunphy or Giles), but still has interesting opinions.

I wonder if they'll poach from BBC. I really like Linekar personally as a host. Think he's nice and genuine and somewhat funny. Would be a clear step up for him too.

I can't stand Lineker,......too banal and full of puns......TBH himself and bland BBC team have made me stop watching MOTD.

His perma-tan is annoying too!

Mitch Connor

Few things i would like:

Have a knowledgeable and likable presenter.

James Richardson would be fantastic, but looking in house the guy who does Ravista De La Liga would be a good choice.

After that I would bring in pundits, especially for CL games, such as Sid Lowe - people who analyze and write about the game for a living - would probably provide more insight, the footballers they have on talk in cliches all too often.

I would love if their football coverage mirrored the cricket coverage. Watching the ashes when it was on, and the coverage was fantastic - properly analyzed the game and pointed out things you couldn't simply see on the screen. Offered actual insight.

OPENROAD

PHB wrote: »

I really like Souness. Actually understands football (unlike Dunphy or Giles), but still has interesting opinions.

I wonder if they'll poach from BBC. I really like Linekar personally as a host. Think he's nice and genuine and somewhat funny. Would be a clear step up for him too.

Lineker used to be good, I think a move away from Hansen, Lawro and Shearer might be a good move.

MD1990

i see robbie savage on espn..
lol he ****in hates refs
he would be a good adittion to sky
he's like a younger version of dunphy

MD1990

Sid Lowe is a genious
the guy is the best pundit ive seen
everything he says is right

x in the city

NekkidBibleMan wrote: »

Imagine you've been appointed head of production at Sky Sports, with a remit to revamp The football coverage in the wake of Sexismgate. What would you do, keeping in mind Sky's obligations to sponsors and the idiot masses?

Me? Out with Keys and the rotating list of ex-players (Eidur Gudjonsen, Dion Dublin, etc...) and in with a never-changing line-up to build a rapport with the audience. Jeff Stelling as anchorman, with a crank like Souness or Strachan to provide a bit of tactical analysis, but mostly to get the blood boiling. Stick in a charismatic ex-player with an excellent record (McManaman?). Chris Kamara pitch-side for pre- and post-match interviews. Martin Taylor and Jim Beglin in the commentary box? Nothing too offensive there, but an improvement on the current lot.

Maybe a bit more opinionated MNF with James Richardson, Marcotti etc would also work.

Jamie could be relegated to Soccer AM or some other crap.

an all wimmins soccercasting...:p

I just downloaded the FIFA 2011 commentary patch, not much of a difference but when my missus went on it, gray shouted at her ' get off the controller and back in the kitchen!'

Degag

murpho999 wrote: »

Tell Martin Tyler to stop screaming 'It's Liiiive!' before every game!


Stop that 'whoosh' noise with every screen flash that comes up on screen.

They're the best parts!

Le King

James Richardson, Hamann, Marcotti and Stelling.

Great line-up. How Richardson isn't on TV any more and monkey hands is, is criminal.

dreamers75

Show more hot women, seriously it obviously works on sky sports news. So train up hot women and let them do the entire broadcast but for the commentators have them wearing say.... a bikini and show up on the bottom of the screen like dude who does sign language.

Pinturicchio

Le King wrote: »

How Richardson isn't on TV any more and monkey hands is, is criminal.

Jimbo is on BBC South-West!

mike65

Ralf Honegstien, Danny Mills, Graeme Souness, Ron Manager, Jonathon Wilson

everdead.ie

Is it weird that I watch sky sports news for transfer gossip and Jeff stelling and not the women because I never actually notice them.
Souness and Hamamn would be class I thought Denis Irwin did a pretty good job over the summer to but that'd be a very unlikely appointment.

Zebra3

everdead.ie wrote: »

Is it weird that I watch sky sports news for transfer gossip and Jeff stelling and not the women because I never actually notice them.

No.



If you're a woman.

everdead.ie

Zebra3 wrote: »

No.



If you're a woman.

I'm not :eek:

dobsdave

everdead.ie wrote: »

I'm not :eek:

Then yes, it is weird lol

Please get yourself checked out.

Dolph Starbeam

The best way they could improve it is if they stopped dumbing down the match coverage so much, i can't see them changing many staff or many new faces coming in but they really need to stop talking to us like we know nothing, i've got so sick of there match coverage the last year i now only watch the game and switch off when the panel start talking, same goes for rte tbh.

On the panel i would now have Jeff as the main man and have Souness, Yorke and Redknapp, I'm not a fan of Jamies at all but he will be there literally for a long long time. I'm a big fan of Yorke and Souness too, i think they have a lot to offer.

Zebra3

MOG7 wrote: »

The best way they could improve it is if they stopped dumbing down the match coverage so much, i can't see them changing many staff or many new faces coming in but they really need to stop talking to us like we know nothing, i've got so sick of there match coverage the last year i now only watch the game and switch off when the panel start talking, same goes for rte tbh.

Pre-Sky, there was very little time given to panelists-mainly just the half time interval minus ads.

Then Sky came along and needed to expand their market and get non-football people into football. Older fans will remember football being quite a minority thing years ago, but once the Premiership and all its overhype came along everyone "had" a team.

Therefore Sky had to dumb down its coverage to avoid alienating its new consumer base.

Hence the likes of....

speedboatchase

Get in James Richardson! It's odd that Sky can get their lineup so right for Soccer Saturday but bar Souness, get it so wrong on match nights. Januscz Michailik and Gabriele Marcotti are both excellent on ESPN Press Pass but I'd say they might be tied up exclusively for ESPN. Also, Roy Keane is out of work...