Since George Best first came on the scene in the 60's, media has taken a keen interest in soccer players on and off the field. Dave Clarke gives his opinion on media coverage in America and in England, but unlike the tabloids, he keeps it strictly in relation to the game itself.
Former Liverpool star, Graeme Souness was a co-commentator on Fox’s coverage of the Schalke-Man United Champions League tie. He ridiculed the German team’s coach, Ralf Rangnick for his tactics in allowing United in general and Michael Carrick in particular to overrun his midfield. What was special about his European record as a manager with Rovers, Rangers and Galatasaray for him to be so critical of a team playing in the Champions League semi-final? The Scot has a very short memory of his own tactical deficiencies as a manager. While in charge of Blackburn Rovers his side was outplayed and outclassed by Henrik Larsson and Celtic in a 2003 UEFA Cup tie. Souness had no answer as Chris Sutton bullied Rovers at Ewood Park and Celtic strolled to a 2-0 win in the second leg.
Former Liverpool star, Graeme Souness was a co-commentator on Fox’s coverage of the Schalke-Man United Champions League tie. He ridiculed the German team’s coach, Ralf Rangnick for his tactics in allowing United in general and Michael Carrick in particular to overrun his midfield. What was special about his European record as a manager with Rovers, Rangers and Galatasaray for him to be so critical of a team playing in the Champions League semi-final? The Scot has a very short memory of his own tactical deficiencies as a manager. While in charge of Blackburn Rovers his side was outplayed and outclassed by Henrik Larsson and Celtic in a 2003 UEFA Cup tie. Souness had no answer as Chris Sutton bullied Rovers at Ewood Park and Celtic strolled to a 2-0 win in the second leg.
Heurelho Gomes was made the scapegoat by the English media for his team’s losses to Chelsea and Real Madrid. Surely Harry Redknapp deserves as much criticism for his tactical deficiencies, or Jermaine Defoe for his poor strike rate. His selfish play in the game with West Brom had as much to do with Spurs dropping points that ultimately cost Spurs a Champions League spot. Defoe’s performances and statistics have been overlooked and forgotten, possibly because he is English. Gomes is an easy target for a media that likes a scapegoat especially a foreign one. It is about time they went after darling Harry and asked some serious questions about his role in Spurs failure to qualify for the Champions League.
What was ESPN2 thinking when it allowed the Arsenal Supporters Trust president an open airway to vent his biased views about bitter rivals Spurs? The interview aired at the end of the station’s coverage of the North London derby on April 20. There was no context, no perspective and no counter argument to provide balance to his extremely biased views. If ESPN wants to be taken seriously for its soccer coverage it cannot just pluck people from the stands, give them a microphone and stick them in front of a camera.
Gol TV does a very good job with its soccer coverage especially for Spanish language viewers. Ray Hudson provides tremendous comic relief for English speaking fans although he does overdo it at times. For example, he cannot go through 90 minutes without using the word orgasmic. Try explaining that to your 9-year-old daughter. His comment about Real Madrid in the Copa del Ray final versus Barcelona as “hanging on like Wile E Coyote on the edge of a cliff” did bring a smile to my face. But, how did he and his co-presenter not know that extra time is two fifteen minute periods?
I am not sure how many fans are watching WPS’s game of the week on Fox Soccer. I understand the significance of having a national television presence, but WPS needs to rethink its strategy on television coverage. Would it not be better to do a one hour weekly show of all the goals and highlights from the week’s games rather than 90 minutes of live action? WPS is not men’s soccer, but the sport deserves better than to be run after an Italian or English top division game on FSC and against a La Liga game on Gol TV. A one hour show would also allow for the highlights to be posted on You Tube and sent to every female player in the US. The audience on Fox is negligible. The potential audience for a packaged WPS show is in the millions. If I was a sponsor I know where I would prefer to invest my money.
In an edition of ESPN’s Press Pass that ran prior to Celtic’s away game at Kilmarnock on April 20, Derek Rae discussed the scourge of sectarianism as it pertained to the Old Firm of Celtic and Rangers. Rae feels that the fans of both clubs should “no longer place any emphasis on their roots as a club.” Sorry Derek, but that is not going to happen. Your idea is well intentioned, but does not get to the heart of the problem and that is the systematic sectarianism that exists in Scottish society especially in the West of Scotland. The first thing that needs to be done is for those in the media to stop using the Old Firm tag and start referring to the clubs by name. The Old Firm does not have a sectarian problem. Rangers do. The Old Firm does not have a violent fan base. Rangers do. The Old Firm does not have a bigotry problem. Rangers do. Until the media comes to terms with these facts then nothing in Scotland will change.
Stan Collymore told listeners of Talk Sport after Blackpool’s 1-1 draw with Spurs that White Hart Lane was “a difficult place to come and get a result.” Collymore’s comment is typical of those in the English media who make statements without knowing the facts. Spurs drew nine league games and lost to Wigan at White Hart Lane. Both Arsenal and Real Madrid have gone to the Lane and eliminated Spurs from the Carling Cup and Champions League respectively. So Stan, Spurs dropped 21 points out of 30 at home and suffered two cup losses. Those statistics make your comment complete and utter nonsense.
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