I think Gray its two different angles here. The presentation in terms of camera work, how the stadium looked and all the wrapping was really good. However the media bias on that platform was bordering on the insane. Clarke was told to go with Saints, he hates us with an absolute passion, he controlled it in the early years when he needed the gig but now its pretty undiluted. Carney is a phoney and Robinson was perfect company for him. Wilkin was a token gun for hire, in case, God forbid, we won.
Then the commentary team. Bill Arthur is visually impaired, Barrie Mc is thick, and Terry O Connor is well "there". The Wigan linkage and old boys club is insane. If they had top notch ability then fine, but they are awful. I am so proud of our team, we really had so much against us last night and came through for Jammer.
That’s true, can’t argue with that. I watched the game with the missus and she kept asking me what so and so had just said and I confessed several times that I wasn’t listening because I was too busy looking at the game and trying to guess what would happen next, so maybe I’m being overly kind on a commentary team I basically blanked out!
I must say though that I thought it was good to keep the pre match traditions of Jerusalem and the trophy being brought out, it negated the weird surroundings to some degree and the game was compelling enough that it didn’t bother me as much as usual there being no crowd. Clarke (as you say) went for Saints just to appear balanced and to make sure he either ended up happy or correct regardless. Robinson was a waste, I hate that he gets rolled out as some legend after bailing out for the gin and tonic set at the first opportunity. Luke Robinson and Lee Briers have both been good in recent weeks on Sky and the BBC and would have been better, and leaving Wilkin on the touchline when he could have provided decent studio analysis was baffling.
BTW, never a good idea to let an old mate interview the winning team after the game. They lose all sense of where they are and just start chatting away like they’re chatting to a mate. We broke the record for post match f bombs I reckon, even without LMS getting one in.
Bill saying Fages was looking to join Naverette and Escare in being French winners of a GF.
Thought he'd already won one, Bill.
I always think Kevin Brown is one of the best.
I really liked Lee Briers’ pre-game analysis of what Catalans’ game plan needed to be against us in the semi final. He kept it understandable. I then watched the game and enjoyed the fact that whatever game plan Catalans had, I think it was just about intimidation rather than the clever last kicks Briers anticipated, we didn’t allow them to execute it.
If Sky continue to have the likes of Long, Briers, Luke Robinson, Kevin Brown and Jon Wilkinson as guest pundits, I think they will have improved the format. I am getting tired though of shouting the correct players’ names at the TV when one or other of the commentary team get them wrong.
I liked Bries too, in fact most of the guests they've had have been good. If I remember correctly Jon Wells was trying to make Briers look stupid but he wasn't having any of it.
It was Barry last night that was annoying me, he always pops up with some utter nonsense that's normally nothing to do with what's going on at the time. I can't remember exactly what he said last night but remember instantly thinking to myself "What the •••• is he on about?" That just shouldn't happen.
I agree that Briers was excellent when he was on, however, before we get carried away can I just point out that many years ago I frequented a classy Warrington bar and whilst on a trip to the gentleman's toilets, I was greeted with the sight of Lee Briers sat on the toilet, looking at his phone and having a s**t with the cubicle door wide open. To this day, the incident stands as my own personal "Nam", a hell from which, I never fully returned....... Excellent punditry though!!! COYS
It will be interesting to know what deal Sky Sports and Elston come to? It's reported to be close being finalized, but lower than the current £40mper year deal.
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Get Tanya Arnold on SKY and give her the commentators job. No messing from Tanya. Get rid of Carney and bring in Rodger Johnson from the BBC. put some money behind it for three years.
Initially they both thought it was Welsby's foot. In fact, the fact that it had a red and white sock attached to it didn't even dawn on me that it was French's foot. It was only when the showed a reverse angle that either of them commented on Welsby's foot being in the air.
Watching from NZ, the SKY commentary was really good and I think will have come across well for the majority of those watching in the UK and abroad. It will have done teh game no harm at all.
Watched the highlights of the game last night on bbc.
The commentary was miles bette than Sky. No obvious signs of bias. Just an appreciation of the game and what was unfolding before them.
Was the BBC commentary "live" or added on afterwards like it is on the Super League Show?