Eddie and Stevo : Tue Apr 28, 2020 10:16 am  

Whilst enduring lockdown I have passed a lot of time watching Wigan games on Wigan TV and on my collection of DVDs (funnily enough I have yet to see them lose!). While not wishing to continue the debate about the merits or otherwise of their tenure at Sky I have at times wincedat the unprofessional and abysmal quality of their presentation. Lockdown has given me time and the inclination to set out my assessment. Some of the points I have identified are :
* All penalties are "silly"
* A poor kick "straight down the throat" of the fullback. No recognition that the fullback has often run 20/30 yards to get under the ball whilst it is in the air
* Criticism of the refs for a wrong call after they have viewed it many times frame by frame on their monitor
*Assessments of tactics and play having absolutely no relationship to what has happened, or is happening. Terry and barrie are no better in this respect
*Regular and often mistaken identification of players especially by Eddie "I beg your pardonitsnot...." Hemmings
*At the kick off every game should be a "cracker"
*Mind reading about what players are thinking
* Insane and puerile banter between them. In other sports eg RU and soccer the commentators do not engage in such bufoonery and witless exchanges. They do treat the game with some gravitas
The whole jokey or comedy approach ( a throw back to the Eddy Waring approach) did, in my opinion trivialise the game and did it a great disservice.

There! I feel a lot better now!!

Re: Eddie and Stevo : Tue Apr 28, 2020 10:25 am  

Agree with most of above but whilst they are the front men don't you think that SKY are the perpetrators of this Rugby"comedy"League?

Whilst Eddie and Mike S have gone, the same is happening with Barry and Terry. The comedy duo with two straight men. They are not funny, they cannot identify tactics being used either by the coaches or the play maker players. They should have been sacked along with Boots N All.

Carney and Wells come over far better on some of the older videos and if Shenton and Wilkin can replace Baz and Tez the game could be headed in the right direction.

When the new deal is done surely SL will demand an upgrade in commentary and especially the summerisers.

Re: Eddie and Stevo : Tue Apr 28, 2020 10:43 am  

None of them sound as professional as a Martin Tyler or give feedback from a player perspective as good as a Gary Neville say. It always feels like amateur hour.

Re: Eddie and Stevo : Tue Apr 28, 2020 10:55 am  

Bill Arthur is worse, but at least they've gotten rid of Cummings and Powers.

Re: Eddie and Stevo : Tue Apr 28, 2020 11:18 am  

I'm not a massive fan of American Football but the commentators draw me in with their love of the game with no bias whatsoever. When I say commentators in NFL - what are there 100-200? We can't seem to employ one decent one. I don't doubt the fellas love the sport but they don't offer me anything that I don't already know. NRL - Fox have solid to brilliant commentators and the co-commentary is always insightful. The blue prints to copy are out there

Re: Eddie and Stevo : Tue Apr 28, 2020 11:53 am  

Dont disagree with much of the initial post but would still far prefer them to be doing it than the current lot.

The best combo this year was Mark Wilson and Tony Rea.

Re: Eddie and Stevo : Tue Apr 28, 2020 12:13 pm  

Bill Arthur is far worse than Hemmings was,they really need to get Dave woods and Jon wilkin in and clear out the deadwood

Re: Eddie and Stevo : Tue Apr 28, 2020 6:35 pm  

Think most would agree that Wells would stay. I am probably on my own but i don't mind Barrie Mac. I think he brings some useful information to it, his knowledge of the amateur and junior ranks is second to none. Baz can stay for me as i feel he could be very useful if the comedy persona is gotten rid of. Terry O'Connor doesn't do it for me. Absolutely loved him as a player but not as a pundit. Carney is a good presenter and could also stay. Cummins was a joke who never EVER admitted that a ref made the wrong decision and was pointless him being there. Clarke is a joke. A Wiganer trying to sound like he is from Oxbridge just doesn't cut it and he makes stupid statements and predictions that never come to fruition. Stuart Pyke did a few matches last season and was very knowledgable and interesting to listen to also.

If it was my decision it would be

Lead Commentator - Dave Woods
Commentator 1. Barrie Mac
Commentator 2. Jonathan Davies
Presenter - Brian Carney
Studio - John Wilkin & a guest every week
Analyst - Jon Wells
Pitch side - Jenna Brooks - think she's great

Re: Eddie and Stevo : Tue Apr 28, 2020 6:48 pm  

Jonathan Davies is a rubbish RL commentator IMO.

Re: Eddie and Stevo : Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:18 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

Dont disagree with much of the initial post but would still far prefer them to be doing it than the current lot.

The best combo this year was Mark Wilson and Tony Rea.

I can’t bloody stand Mark Wilson, I’m afraid. S’all about opinions I suppose.
The BBC fella would be my choice. Is it Dave Woods?