He already does a lot of work for the Premier League's own channel, not seen in the UK, where I'd say he comes across better than he does on ITV for some reason. Perhaps it's less "tabloid" and in John Dykes has a much more professional sports presenter than Adrian Chiles or Matt Smith.
Probably one of the best out there right now in is Stan Collymore , says it like it is and never toes the ex-footballer line. For example he's often very vocal about diving and gets quite angry when people come up with the "he got touched he's got a right to go down" crap.
Unfortunately he won't be on TV because of the Ulrika thing I fear.
The real good news is that ITV don't have the football to offer him. It's not just Towsend we won't be seeing much of. It's all of them - Chiles, Smith and Tydesely and car adverts during goals.
Probably one of the best out there right now in is Stan Collymore , says it like it is and never toes the ex-footballer line. For example he's often very vocal about diving and gets quite angry when people come up with the "he got touched he's got a right to go down" crap.
Unfortunately he won't be on TV because of the Ulrika thing I fear.
And the fact he spouts rubbish about subjects he knows nothing about.
Probably one of the best out there right now in is Stan Collymore , says it like it is and never toes the ex-footballer line. For example he's often very vocal about diving and gets quite angry when people come up with the "he got touched he's got a right to go down" crap.
Unfortunately he won't be on TV because of the Ulrika thing I fear.
For the most part, the two mainstream sports radio stations (Talksport and 5 Live) have picked up some decent summarisers (Danny Mills, Pat Nevin, Jimmy Armfield...) meanwhile on TV, the completely banal comments of the likes of Townsend, Michael Owen, Mark Lawrenson etc. ruin the enjoyment of matches (recruited presumably solely on the basis of being 'big names').
The real good news is that ITV don't have the football to offer him. It's not just Towsend we won't be seeing much of. It's all of them - Chiles, Smith and Tydesely and car adverts during goals.
and this all day long.
ITVs coverage of all football, whether it be FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League or England Internationals has been shocking for as long as I can remember, including the days of the late Brian Moore.
Best news ever to hear that I'll never have to listen to Townsend's regular Spurs diatribe on a Thursday night on ITV4. I might actually start to watch the Champions League and England games knowing I wont hear his voice again.
"Well Clive, nobody's really caught my eye, and I haven't got the insight or imagination to assess how well a defender I've never heard of has performed, so in the absence of a household name I'll pick the bloke who scored the only goal."
He's lasted a lot longer than his fantastically bad "Tactics Truck" feature; a laughable attempt to do for football what Simon Hughes did for live cricket coverage.
I never understood the abuse and ridicule thrown at Townsend, he's not the best but he's far from the worst 'match summariser'. I wonder if he'll end up with Sky, or more likely BT
I don't mind Townsend. Sure he's banal and lightweight but I don't watch/listen to football for intellectual stimulation. There are other I find much more irritating: Chiles, Smith (who was fine till he started all the staccato talking rubbish) and, especially Tyldesley who I loath with a passion (his commentary that is as I've never met the bloke and I'm sure his mother loves him etc). That reminds me. What is it with all this staccato stuff? The Scottish formula 1 guy on sky sports does it too as does one of their footy summarisers (also Scottish but I don't know his name). It's....very....bloody....annoying....hearing....them....stretch....every....word....out!!!
Comments
If anyone could state the bleedin' obvious after it had happened, Andy was your man.
Townsend should never have spoken.
Unfortunately he won't be on TV because of the Ulrika thing I fear.
I may have read it in Johnston's autobiography, referring to Benaud.
ITVs coverage of all football, whether it be FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League or England Internationals has been shocking for as long as I can remember, including the days of the late Brian Moore.
Best news ever to hear that I'll never have to listen to Townsend's regular Spurs diatribe on a Thursday night on ITV4. I might actually start to watch the Champions League and England games knowing I wont hear his voice again.
Dear Sky/BT Sport/BBC...dont you bloody dare!
Haha, what a great start to the New Year.
"Well Clive, nobody's really caught my eye, and I haven't got the insight or imagination to assess how well a defender I've never heard of has performed, so in the absence of a household name I'll pick the bloke who scored the only goal."
He's lasted a lot longer than his fantastically bad "Tactics Truck" feature; a laughable attempt to do for football what Simon Hughes did for live cricket coverage.
"I don't know why he's done that, Clive" - isn't it your job to tell us why? Idiot.
Good riddance, generally itv's football coverage is awful, hopefully this goes some way to improve it.
Stupid IE10 wouldn't load... The Fox of Fire however has offered me a beautiful sight.