I must have missed it, but a couple of seasons back it seems the Premier League introduced a rule whereby no televised match can take place without Jamie Redknapp in the vicinity. But for all the notoriety an Alan Hansen or Andy Townsend (OK, maybe notoriety is the wrong word) can gain from being a studio pundit, the most difficult position to fill is surely that of the co-commentator.
A co-commentator provides extra insight into the game from the perspective of someone who has been there and done it. The former pros who take their seat in the gantry must possess an astute footballing mind and an eloquence to express it with a bit of personality. With this in mind I thought I'd take a look at a few of the most common to grace our screens.
A co-commentator provides extra insight into the game from the perspective of someone who has been there and done it. The former pros who take their seat in the gantry must possess an astute footballing mind and an eloquence to express it with a bit of personality. With this in mind I thought I'd take a look at a few of the most common to grace our screens.
Andy Gray
Easily the most popular of Richard Keys' chums, Gray's approach is easy for the average football fan to associate with. The Sky Sports pundit has cornered the market on near pointless technological gizmos but nevertheless offers strong views on incidents, players, or games. His honest reputation as a player alongside undeniable chemistry with Martin Tyler means it's not hard to see why he is so well-liked. I imagine he grates on people after a while though, and has a habit of forcing (rather than offering) his opinions on viewers and other pundits alike.
Alan Smith
It can't be easy playing second fiddle to the behemoth that is Andy Gray, and Smith initially struck me as quite a bland character for what he was being asked to do. However he is accomplished and knowledgeable enough to cover a large range of games, from Champions' League to the lower reaches of the Football League. If you listen carefully enough, he comes out with a few pithy one-liners too.
Jim Beglin
I think the most underrated of the lot. Listening to the Champions League games on ITV are normally a biased affair, especially if Clive Tilsley and Man Utd are in the mix. Yet Beglin offers considered and extremely accurate analysis, with no hint of arrogance. It is evident his footballing knowledge is particularly extensive too. Probably my favourite.
Mark Lawrenson
Football's self proclaimed funny man, listening to him and the declining Motson isn't ideal, but tactically what he says does make sense. He is one of the most comfortable speakers on or off camera and as long as he keeps the likes of Graeme Le Saux off the roster, I'll grin and bear it. It was unnecessary, however, to inflict his voice on Pro Evolution Soccer players across the country.
David Pleat
Argh! It could be England v Brazil, and I'd still struggle not to turn the TV off.
Trevor Brooking
No longer gracing our BBC screens, Brooking was the consummate professional and rarely missed a trick. Not the most tactically astute though, as a couple of Marlon King and Trevor Benjamin goals will tell you!