The World Cup media coverage and press reaction thread

[Pureblood]

Bored of the banal BBC?  Irritated with the irrational ITV?  This is the thread for you.

 

I can heartily recommend ESPN's coverage.  Alexi Lalas, Michael Ballack, Roberto Martinez, Santiago Solari and Gilberto Silva make up an excellent pundits panel.  The commentry is a bit USA at times, but there are familiar co-commentators such as Steve McManaman providing a refreshing alternative to terrestrial coverage.  Ian Darke is a bit of a let down with some of his mindless commentary, but I don't mind his voice so much compared to the usual suspects we have to endure and he doesn't over egg the pudding too much, not one of those who constantly talks just for the sake of it (I'm looking at you, Martin Tyler).

 

Otherwise I'm enjoying the almost constant radio 5 Live coverage. 

 

Any other recommendations?

[Nightcat]

Thank's for the information, I'll check It out. The ESPN panel looks indeed impressive. I'd love to hear Alexi Lalas commenting and analysing the games.

[Pureblood]

Alexi seems to be an an ever present and Martinez (who is superb) is also on a lot.

[Jairzinho]

Not live coverage, but the Guardian are doing a daily version of "Football Weekly" (I know, the ironing!) during the World Cup.

[Russ Atmosphere]

I can't take the Manchester United Guardian website seriously. Even the world cup coverage is tainted by it.

[liverpoolsno9]

Surprised Brendan hasn't been snapped up by a broadcaster.

[Strontium]

Surprised Brendan hasn't been snapped up by a broadcaster.

Between getting his teeth whitened and trying to pin down Ian Ayre, he just doesn't have the time.

[Jairzinho]

I can't take the Manchester United Guardian website seriously. Even the world cup coverage is tainted by it.

 

I don't think its particularly evident in the podcast. I won't read any of the articles, for the reason you give. The comments sections are abysmal as well.

[Russ Atmosphere]

I don't think its particularly evident in the podcast. I won't read any of the articles, for the reason you give. The comments sections are abysmal as well.

 

I made the mistake of reading an article, it finished with the sentence... Rooney at his best. 

 

[moof]

Surprised Brendan hasn't been snapped up by a broadcaster.

He's having a dirty summer with his new sort.

[Tj hooker]

I'm really enjoying the World Cup Report on.5 live, less so I'm hating Jason Roberts Co commentary on the Italian match never have I heard someone talk so fucking much while saying so very little

[Rapey Hugh]

RTE still the daddy. Billo Dunphy brady and Giles all still hanging in there with an average age of around 65!

Still the only coverage where pundits are free to say anything they like to eachother and actually have an opinion on the game regardless of how insane/knee jerk/wrong it is. In the case of Dunphy he can literally say ANYTHING and get away with it;

 

 

 

In fairness alongside the bumbling codgers there are some very good panelists like Hamman, Lennon, Sadlier and Kenny "the Eyebrows" Cunningham and Friedel. Even Ozzie Ardiles is there, though he just kind of sits there wondering how it all came to this

 

The Dunphy vs Cunningham arguments are honestly hilarious viewing

[Babb'sBurstNad]

Is James Richardson doing any coverage for the World Cup?

[Jairzinho]

Is James Richardson doing any coverage for the World Cup?

 

 

Not live coverage, but the Guardian are doing a daily version of "Football Weekly" (I know, the ironing!) during the World Cup.

[KMD7]

 

 

RTE still the daddy. Billo Dunphy brady and Giles all still hanging in there with an average age of around 65!

Still the only coverage where pundits are free to say anything they like to eachother and actually have an opinion on the game regardless of how insane/knee jerk/wrong it is. In the case of Dunphy he can literally say ANYTHING and get away with it;

 

 

 

In fairness alongside the bumbling codgers there are some very good panelists like Hamman, Lennon, Sadlier and Kenny "the Eyebrows" Cunningham and Friedel. Even Ozzie Ardiles is there, though he just kind of sits there wondering how it all came to this

 

The Dunphy vs Cunningham arguments are honestly hilarious viewing

Love it when Giles, Brady and Dunphy go at it. Pure entertainment

[Pureblood]

Sick of the Van Gaal love in.

[Strontium]

Sick of the Van Gaal love in.

Will just make it that much sweeter when he crashes and burns at United.

 

EDIT: not literally, that would be an irony too far

[AngryOfTuebrook]

Will just make it that much sweeter when he crashes and burns at United.

 

EDIT: not literally, that would be an irony too far

[Pureblood]

Will just make it that much sweeter when he crashes and burns at United.

 

EDIT: not literally, that would be an irony too far

 

I do hope you're right, Stronts.  Literally. 

 

I am growing weary of everything he does being hailed as the workings of a grandmaster tactician who has no equal.  

 

On the other hand I like the Dutch team a lot so it is causing an inner conflict the likes have which have seldom been witnessed, I'm truly in bits here.   Arjen Robben, RVP with his flying headers and Wesley S have lit up the World Cup.  Throw a cheeky Dirk "Total Football" Kuyt  cameo into the mix playing three positions in one game (as astutely spotted by Martin Keown in the Daily Mail, I know I know) and you have yourself one shexy team.