I don’t often rant, but I’ve been stewing since last night and I feel I MUST blog something.
In the summer, I watched the World Cup, (remember that? It was the one we didn’t turn up at!) Anyway twitter and facebook was awash with comments and one of the trending tags was #itvfootballisrubbish
So what happens? Well they somehow manage to get the coverage of the FA Cup. So, maybe they have learned from the mistakes in the summer? Or NOT actually!
The coverage of the 3rd round was absolutely disgraceful on all levels.
Firstly the actual coverage of the football.
In a programme that lasted 90 minutes, about a quarter of it was adverts, and another big chunk was the inane yapping, (more of that in a minute).
So which matches did they cover? Well they covered the Newcastle game. I guess that is understandable considering it was an upset. The other main coverage they did was the Arsenal v Leeds game which again I guess was a reasonable game. However, they were BOTH on live on TV.
Why not focus on the games that hadn’t been on? Because that would mean extra work. Many of the games, the graphic at the beginning of the coverage was on longer than the “highlights.” The actual coverage often started mid move, and on several games they actually missed things.
Our game was on at lunchtime so they had the time to edit it and have a few highlights. But this ISN’T about them not showing us, they clearly don’t know how to edit football. (Anyone remember their shambolic coverage of the Premier League? No? Well probably like me, you stopped watching it!)
Secondly Inane Drivel
With the exception of Hartson, the discussions were pathetic. They glossed over certain issues, see my third point, like they didn’t matter. Rather than discussion about the brief highlights that were shown, they seemed to think it was better making smart alec remarks. DON’T PATRONISE US!
Thirdly Ducking the Issue(s)
Following on from the previous point, there were 3 main issues from the games.
Firstly the two footed challenge in the Newcastle game. No one watching that, would truly think it was anything other than a red card. Well actually #itvfootballisrubbish managed to completely sidestep it. Townsend even suggested it wasn’t a foul!
Secondly the Walcott dive. Even the player admitted it, but #itvfootballisrubbish seemed to suggest that there was a touch. Not a word condemning a player for cheating. (No axe to grind with Arsenal or Walcott, just making the point.)
Thirdly the Diouf incident. Well firstly they didn’t show it, but secondly and worse – not only did they not condemn him – they made a joke about it and then condemned Warnock because of his passionate comment having seen his key goalscorer seriously injured and taunted. #itvfootballisnot justrubbishbutadisgrace
They should NOT be allowed to cover football again after this season.
They should never have been allowed to cover football since the fiasco of ITV Digital.
It’s all been downhill since they ditched Saint & Greavsie.
You didn’t like the coverage then Kevin? 🙂
Be fair, they did take Adrian Chiles out of the BBC coverage so we have that to be grateful for. Now if ITV can take away Colin Murray and that nice Mr Savage in addition then that would be really good news for licence payers.
PS Mr Warnock: you are completely correct and even understated on Saturday. Never thought it was possible to write that……….
Total agreement with this, however the ITV coverage is the best thing I have found to send me to sleep since I tried reading “War and Peace”, was so bored with it,fell asleep on sat night, sunday morning and afternoon,missed the draw and thank God, Childs as well, nothing has been the same since Newbon went to Sky [mind you Blues never got much of a look in when he was there either]
What I’d give for ITV… try watching the smugness of Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater week in and week out and you’d be begging for ITV back.
I totally agree, ITV have not got a clue about presenting football. Adrian Chiles would not be able to present a Christmas Turkey to the oven.
I think we fail to recognise that Andy Townsend leart his skills at Villa Park, maybe that explains a great deal.
I have to admit whilst the MOTD crew give BCFC little coverage they are professional on Saturdays, I think the Sunday edition is a good reason for an early night.