Exclusive – Collymore: ‘TV pundits are not good enough’
Stan Collymore is standing by his stinging criticism of Match of the Day – claiming television pundits like Alan Shearer must be more insightful.
Collymore caused a stir after launching a Twitter attack on the BBC’s flagship football show, describing it as 'stale, cliched and smug pap'.
But the ex-Liverpool, Leicester and Aston Villa striker, and now talkSPORT presenter, insists he was right to question the quality of former players turned TV pundits.
And he has hit out at Shearer for failing to do his homework on Newcastle new boy Hatem Ben Arfa.
He told the Drive Time boys: “Alan Shearer is one of England’s great strikers, why doesn’t he talk about or why isn’t there more debate amongst the panel, with Gary Lineker one of our other great strikers, as to why Torres is struggling?
“Is it the runs he’s making? Is it the midfield not giving the service? Why is Berbatov playing well? That’s what I want to hear from an ex-player. A knowledge.
“If you are Mr Newcastle and you don’t know a player that’s gone to that club what does that say about our English coaching system”Stan Collymore“The Match of the Day panel aren’t footballers any more, they’re broadcasters, so not knowing Hatem Ben Arfa and admitting during the World Cup coverage of not knowing much about Slovakia isn’t an option.
“They are paid by me, you, everybody listening as license payers. This isn’t a commercial enterprise where we are hired or fired by the ratings we bring – this is the national state broadcaster. There is no anti-BBC bias because this time last year I could have gone back to BBC, I had a firm offer from them.
“Going on national television on the country’s flagship programme and admitting that you do not know about Hatem Ben Arfa when you are putting yourself up there as one of England’s burgeoning young coaches and managers isn’t good enough, full stop.
“Whoever it is, whether it is Stan Collymore, Ray Houghton, Alan Shearer, once you hang your boots up and you go into sports broadcasting you are a sports broadcaster.
“Not knowing Hatem Ben Arfa? This is one of our burgeoning young coaches. If you are Mr Newcastle and you don’t know a player that’s gone to that club what does that say about our English coaching system? It’s not anti-Alan Shearer it’s anti-pundits that turn up and say ‘this is what I’ve done in my football career this is enough’. And it’s not enough.”
Do you agree with Stan? What do you think of MOTD? Is it need of a shake up? Have your say below…
Comments
I have been a talksport listener since it kicked off but I find it increasingly hard to listen to some of the self centred 'pundits' or banal 'presenters' especially the likes of Irani, Collymore, Martin, Parlour, Gough, Durham & now Keys & Gray are really drag it down to a level of dullness. The radio show has become so dull, boring and stale it desperately needs a spark, enlightening, interest, humour and above all characters. Pundits and presenters with personalities wouldnt go amiss. Thank Goodness for Danny Kelly, Brazil and H&J.
I agree with Stan - they are stale and uninspiring - unlike stan - who is the best football commentator - why is this? because like shearer et al he has been there and knows what he is talking like - unlike MOTD commentators - he is enthusiastic, passionate, colourful, happy and ENERGETIC - love the emotion - love the amazing knowledge he has and love the banter - Stans not afraid to give an opinion and thats what we want - MOTD continue sitting on the fence and boring for england
I agree with Stan - they are stale and uninspiring - unlike stan - who is the best football commentator - why is this? because like shearer et al he has been there and knows what he is talking like - unlike MOTD commentators - he is enthusiastic, passionate, colourful, happy and ENERGETIC - love the emotion - love the amazing knowledge he has and love the banter - Stans not afraid to give an opinion and thats what we want - MOTD continue sitting on the fence and boring for england
Great and really impressive,This is one of our burgeoning young coaches. If you are Mr Newcastle and you don’t know a player that’s gone to that club what does that say about our English coaching system? It’s not anti-Alan Shearer it’s anti-pundits that turn up and say ‘this is what I’ve done in.I like this post.
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i for one dont wont to listen to pundits like collymore and durham shouting at each other on a saturday night. I personally like the laid back style of motd, maybe there is a touch of jealousy from mr collymore who wasnt fit to lace shearers boots.Could it just be part of talksports obsession with slagging off everything that is bbc so to create more publicity for themselves.
I think the fact there is no "objective" broadcaster on the BBC. Lineker et al are such an old boys club. Sky with Jeff Steling and in the past Des Lynam ask questions that drive debate and banter rather than a self congratulatory orgy of smugness.
Shearer: The guy is far too arrogant and smarmy. The presenters on that show play the post match analysis and debate far too safe. But then thats the brief they have probably been given from the Beeb. Getting a job on MOTD should be about the knowledge, reasoned debate and value you can bring to the game of football. Come on BBC lets spice it up!!
I agree with Stan. Not only do they not know the players, they don't know the rules either. Often calling situations wrong - offsides that are, fouls that arent etc. etc. They are too quick to criticise the referees (often wrongly) when they should focus more on the cheating or quality of play.
I include all the pundits and match commentators from every program. I always fast-forward or turnover through the so-called 'analysis'.
I agree with Stan....Shearer and Lawerson who gives me the creeps as he doesnt look like an ex footballer he looks like an ex sex offender.....If shearer is on the panel of one of the nations best loved shows he should be more aware of the players career history who play in the premier league.....Stans the man always has been...i even supported him over his spat with the arrogant zara phillips and her posh rugger union chums....Stan the maaaaaan stan the mannnn....
wrap up stan! your asking for honesty? then why would they pretend to know all about this players that no-one has heard of!!!
The amount of educated commentary from "pundits" can be counted on one hand these days.
Stan is talking about MotD, but what about Micky Quinn? What about the Moose? The only person that I really listen to regarding football on Talk Sport is H + J because they aren't scared of being opinionated about certain matters and they're actually very knowledgable about the game.
They're not some cherry pick ex pro who's spent most of their life behaving like a 14 year old completely absorbed in their own doing who suddenlt realise that great career they had has been wasted and still feel the need for lime light...
The biggest culprit of all is Ian Wright who has gone from goal scoring legend to complete idiot.
Let's be honest, we all watch MOTD for the highlights and nothing else. If it wasn't for SKY+ I doubt I'd even watch it. I record it then watch it on sunday morning when I can fast forward past all the waffle.
Just right Stan, Sheares has to be the worst pundit ever dancing round subjects and the less said about Lee Dixon the better, Hansen is just Englands number 1 fan now as well.
I know who Ben Arfa is & it doesn't take a genius to know about him. If you follow or have an interest in Football then you'll gain knowledge through that intrigue!? To be paid for it & not know is embarrassing, totally!
Stan is the MAN, honest, insightfull, knowledgeble, tell em how it is Stan. up the VILLA.
Well done Stan, tell it like it is! I haven't watched MOTD for months now because like you, the punditry is so poor. In Ireland we're lucky enough to have people like Johnny Giles, Liam Brady, Ronnie Whelan and Eamon Dunphy who give a straight assessment on the weekends football.They give honest opinions (some a bit abrasive) and analysis that puts BBC and SKY to shame. Keep it up............
I still enjoy MOTD. I sometimes dont want someones opinion rammed down my throat! A simple summary of the game is all that is needed.
Totally agree, especially when you are talking about a player who could very well become the New Alan Shearer for Newcastle - Hatem Ben Arfa that is.
There's nothing wrong with MOTD, imagine watching the highlights with the likes of collymore , Durham etc trying to be controversial at every opportunity. That fine if you have to fill vast amounts of air time, you have to accept some dross. They should add Ray Houghton to the show, there's a man that talks sense without having to massage an ego.
im not the biggest collymore fan,but he is making a good point. i dont watch motd anymore anyway, ive thought its been going downhill for years.
I totally agree with Stan's comments. The Beeb's dreary so called experts with their sanatised arrogant none views are dull and boring.
Saggers as host with a pungit team of Collymore, Danny Kelly and Rod Marsh.
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Leeds United fan from Long Eaton
Collymore is spot on. The talking between pundits on match of the day is massively stale and cliched. lawro and hanson only talk about shocking defending and act as if they were the greatest defenders to walk the earth . shearer is only on match of the day because he's their golfing buddy. Its boring listening to them now as you can almost predict what will be said. they are clearly running out of things to say. great work stan. always quality listening to you.
Totally agree with you Stan. We all love to hear the 'experts' have a passionate debate/argument every now and again about anything to do with our beautiful game. The Match of the Day panel are useless and have been for many years - no passion and no opinion. Gary Lineker with his pathetic, scripted 'humour' which I find pompous and patronising especially towards the smaller clubs, has no business being a high profile presenter, just because he used to play the game. The other pundits are really no better. They don't actually say anything at all and give the appearance of just being a bunch of old golf club pals, screwing as much money out of us licence payers as they possibly can.
The best pundit panel that I, and many others can remember was definitely for the World Cup in 1970 when Malcolm Allison, Paddy Crerand, Jimmy Hill, Derek Dougan and others regularly had a barnstorming row in the studio which made for great TV. Passion in abundance. Opinions divided. What a mix! The current MOTD panel cannot hold a candle to the 1970 crew. It really is all about passion and opinion. Lineker and co. have none. Get rid of all of them.
Thank goodness for TalkSPORT!
Boing! Boing!
Jez from Chesterfield
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| P | F | A | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City | 25 | 64 | 19 | 45 | 60 |
| Manchester United | 25 | 61 | 25 | 36 | 58 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 25 | 49 | 25 | 24 | 53 |
| Arsenal | 25 | 48 | 35 | 13 | 43 |
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| Newcastle United | 25 | 36 | 36 | 0 | 42 |
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| Norwich City | 25 | 37 | 41 | -4 | 35 |
| Sunderland | 25 | 34 | 26 | 8 | 33 |
| Everton | 25 | 26 | 27 | -1 | 33 |
| Swansea City | 25 | 28 | 32 | -4 | 30 |
| Fulham | 25 | 31 | 36 | -5 | 30 |
| Stoke City | 25 | 24 | 38 | -14 | 30 |
| West Bromwich Albion | 25 | 29 | 35 | -6 | 29 |
| Aston Villa | 25 | 29 | 34 | -5 | 28 |
| Queens Park Rangers | 25 | 27 | 44 | -17 | 21 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 25 | 37 | 56 | -19 | 21 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 25 | 28 | 49 | -21 | 21 |
| Bolton Wanderers | 25 | 29 | 51 | -22 | 20 |
| Wigan Athletic | 25 | 23 | 50 | -27 | 19 |
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