...interesting to compare and contrast the bbc and itv world coverage.
itv is always going to struggle because it's utterly blighted with adverts.
but historically they are always a bit rubbish anyway - somehow the pundits are just that little bit less credible and even des lynam couldn't lift their game when he defected from the beeb. [so i don't rate adrian chiles' chances...]
and tonight they were calling that performance "very, very good. not top-notch, but very good" [kevin keegan]
whereas on bbc radio they were savaging the team - chris waddle was especially critical, but then he always is.
it strikes me that the truth is somewhere inbetween those two extremes.
against the usa it was always going to be tough [they beat spain last year] and not losing is a good start. we're always a bit slow getting out of the blocks at these tournaments - '66 and '90 where we also only drew the openers; euro '96 too.
so it's no tragedy...
we retained possession much better after half time, and carved out some good chances. a point gives us a base to build on.
but you have to wonder if the broadcasters come to it with their agendas already set - itv with their blind optimism [no matter how many times you say it andy townsend, we can see for ourselves - we were NOT on top in that first half] and against that there's the beeb's whingey pessimism [the tactics are all wrong, the substitutions didn't work, we won't get out of the group unless capello changes everything, carragher's too slow, ledley's too injury-prone, our kit's rubbish... blahblahblah]
i'm looking forward to seeing what lineker and co. make of it tonight on the highlights show...
it's always great fun watching england isn't it...?!]
**UPDATE**
lineker and co - largely critical, but a bit more measured than the radio lot. there's an agenda there though - four years ago they were clamouring for carrick over hargreaves, and this time the pundits've seemingly all decided that they want rooney up front on his own with gerrard just behind, so it looks like everything's gonna be viewed through that lens until/unless fabio changes things...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Yes, I'm full agreement (the pundits' comments used to make me angry but now I just find them predictable). Despite Heskey having a really good game, I can see him being dropped "to allow Rooney to play up front on his own" with Barry playing centrally in front of the defence and Lampard given freer role. I'd play Milner on left because I think he'd allow Cole to make his runs (and Milner can also cross a ball!).... England will probably go on to beat Algeria 4-0 and be hailed as the potential champions - by ITV at least (until the next match!).
Don't you just LOVE it!
Post a Comment