[D4N1EL11]

Murray Walker topped the poll for being the greatest commentator of all time, 9000 people voted.
Top 10:
1. Murray Walker (F1)
2. John Motson (Football)
3. John McEnroe ( Tennis)
4. Peter O Sullevan ( Horse Racing)
5. Brian Moore (Football)
6. Martin Brundle (F1)
7. Sid Waddel (Darts)
8. David Coleman (mixture)
9. Bill Mclaren (Rugby)
10. Richie Benaud ( cricket

Source :The Sun

a few that missed out that suprised me:
Sir Martin Tyler - should have been no.1
Clive Everton (Snooker)
David Lloyd (Cricket)
Barry Davies (Mixture)

and Jonathan Pearce (Robot Wars)

[chrisfinch]

Originally Posted by Mark.

Man Utd v Leeds Utd can't surely be considered a 1st pick?

Yes it has the history etc. but look what happened the last time a League 1 team was shown away at a Premier League team...

EDIT: and Man Utd v Kettering Town a 3rd pick? Blimey...

It definitely is, and I despise manchester united. Just because it doesn't conform to "little team at home to big club" it is still the biggest tie of the round, no doubt. The history between the clubs is obviously what makes it so, plus leeds are doing well in League 1.

I think people get far too hung up on the first choice having to be a smaller club at home to the big club, and as such ignore the big games. Now I don't like the way Manchester United and Liverpool tend to be the champions league first picks on ITV, but there is no way you can ignore this match, it is the blatant tie of the round.

And for glista, obviously kick off times might alter things slightly, but Manchester United (even if it is the kids) v Leeds has a hell of a lot more audience potential than a poor Reading team at home to a mediocre Liverpool side.

[hallrose 999]

One for Casinoman - when do competition entrys close for next week's champions league games? Just to confirm ssn studio guests for world cup draw on Friday afternoon - Roy Hodgson, David Seaman and Terry Venables

[D4N1EL11]

any comms for weekend yet hallrose??
feel free to PM me when you get them

thanks

[LOSG]

Originally Posted by D4N1EL11

Murray Walker topped the poll for being the greatest commentator of all time, 9000 people voted.
Top 10:
1. Murray Walker (F1)
2. John Motson (Football)
3. John McEnroe ( Tennis)
4. Peter O Sullevan ( Horse Racing)
5. Brian Moore (Football)
6. Martin Brundle (F1)
7. Sid Waddel (Darts)
8. David Coleman (mixture)
9. Bill Mclaren (Rugby)
10. Richie Benaud ( cricket

Source :The Sun

a few that missed out that suprised me:
Sir Martin Tyler - should have been no.1
Clive Everton (Snooker)
David Lloyd (Cricket)
Barry Davies (Mixture)

and Jonathan Pearce (Robot Wars)

I think the fact that Martin has spent the last 20 years "hidden" away on Sky wouldnt of helped his cause.

[seagull_Mark]

Originally Posted by Homesdale

AEK Athens v Everton ESPN
Jon Champion & Joe Royale

Bizarrely, adding an 'A' to Joe's surname makes him sound much grander and more intriguing than he actually is!

[Steve1977]

I support neither but I'd prefer to watch the (no doubt) fiery atmosphere of Man Utd v Leeds...a chance for Leeds to experience the glory days within 90 minutes again to... boring boring Liverpool with their staid and predictable game against a struggling team in Division 2.

[sephzoni]

Originally Posted by mlt11

The only question is IF the FA don't sell the rights will they let ITV have the 2nd (and 3rd?) pick, leaving the 4th and 5th on the FA website?

I strongly imagine they will - but would they try to get a few extra pennies out of ITV? Probably yes but they may well not be successful!

I think a point a few of us are missing here is that the FA will not be willing to loose any more money on the FA Cup.

We know, thanks to Arius, that ITV is not paying any more money for the additional games they have shown. We also know that ITV are making drastic cutbacks and have no spare cash in their budget. So I doubt ITV will pay any more to the FA even if it does guarantee both Man U and Liverpool games in the 3rd round.

A few weeks ago I posted some analysis on here that showed it cost the FA roughly £1 per viewer to stream the tie between Oldham and Leeds. Obviously any game featuring a Premier League team would attract many more streamers. However, by streaming games for free the FA are not making any money, it will still cost them both in broadcast costs and in broadcast fees. The broadcast fee paid per team this year is £67,500 for a live 1st or 2nd match (down from £75,000 last season). I suspect up until now this has been covered by the down payments paid by Setanta before they went bust and obviously by the money ITV pays. The FA cannot afford for this to continue as they are in financial difficulties themselves. Any advertising the FA could sell to recoup this money will be minimal.

So if ITV won't pay any more money and a secondary broadcast partner can't be found at the right price that leaves one option for the FA, that would be an online PPV system. If the FA do decide to go down this road then pick not contractually held by ITV become of commercial value to them. For that reason I don't think ITV will broadcast anything other than the 1st pick and 4th pick they hold the rights for. That means that until the FA decide what happens, regarding the games previously held by Setanta, no announcement will be made on the televised games picks 2nd to 5th.

As Arius has eluded to, ITV are clearly considering Man U v Leeds as a 1st pick then no announcement can be made until after the replay.

This also has a knock on affect to any negotiations taking place between the FA and other broadcasters as the games any perspective buyer of picks 2 or 3 can have in round 3 will have an effect on the price that bidder is willing to pay.

Also it's worth taking into account that if the FA fail to find a partner to replace Setanta before round 3 they are unlikely to do so as these secondary rights have huge breadth to them (picks 2,3 and 5). At the 3rd round stage all of the 'big teams' are in, as the competition goes on these teams are more and more likely to get drawn against each other (which will be picked up by ITV) or they are likely to go out. This means these rights are most valuable at this stage of the competiton. Although Setanta did get lucky with Chelsea v Arsenal as a semi last year. In recent years the 2nd choice semi has been very weak more time than not. Obviously if a 2nd choice big game occurs again the FA may be able to sell it as a one off.

[The Wanderer]

Al Jazeera Europa League

Rhodri Williams presenting with Ray Houghton and Alan Curbishley

John Bradley is intl feed commentator for AEK v Everton

[The Wanderer]

Man City v Arsenal, Sky Sports 1

Jeff Stelling presenting with Jamie Redknapp and Alan Smith, if not already mentioned

[gilsta]

Originally Posted by chrisfinch

It definitely is, and I despise manchester united. Just because it doesn't conform to "little team at home to big club" it is still the biggest tie of the round, no doubt. The history between the clubs is obviously what makes it so, plus leeds are doing well in League 1.

I'm pretty sure the Merseyside Derby has a tad bit more history than Man Utd v Spurs. Yet which did ITV go for...

I don't wish to sound petty but if the 2nd and 3rd picks are going to be broadcast online and Man Utd are default first choice for ITV then that is just going to delude the casual football fan and make a nonsense of the FA Cup.

[Zac Quinn]

Originally Posted by D4N1EL11

Murray Walker topped the poll for being the greatest commentator of all time, 9000 people voted.
...
3. John McEnroe ( Tennis)
...

Who?

The scorecard has dissapeared on ESPN HD.

EDIT: Back now.

[D4N1EL11]

Originally Posted by Zac Quinn

Who?

Used to play for everton, villa and wolves among others. Does co commentary fro Sky Sports and has a show on sundays - the last word!!!

[chrisfinch]

Originally Posted by gilsta

I'm pretty sure the Merseyside Derby has a tad bit more history than Man Utd v Spurs. Yet which did ITV go for...

I don't wish to sound petty but if the 2nd and 3rd picks are going to be broadcast online and Man Utd are default first choice for ITV then that is just going to delude the casual football fan and make a nonsense of the FA Cup.

Well I did also mention in that post of mine about how I didn't like the bias shown towards United and Liverpool when picking games.

I don't think Manchester United will be a default first choice in every round at all, even for itv that would be a bit crazy. But surely United v Leeds is the best match in this round, whether the game is at Old Trafford or Elland Road.

[casinoman]

Originally Posted by hallrose 999

One for Casinoman - when do competition entrys close for next week's champions league games? Just to confirm ssn studio guests for world cup draw on Friday afternoon - Roy Hodgson, David Seaman and Terry Venables

Hi Mate....Next Tuesday is the closing date for next weeks competition and will include some games from Weds nights champs league games so i would be very grateful if you did post any games and commentators until next Tues afternoon.
Thanks alot matey...feel free however to post (spoiler) this weekends games.

[Mark.]

Man City v Arsenal
Martin Tyler and David Platt

[loyalsince]

Is Tyler deputising for Darke or Parry or does it look like he was down for this game already?

Maybe Tyler might sit the weekend out now as Sky have a very poor Sat lunch game (no offence to the teams supporters) and an average game on the Sun (although I think it may turn out to be a cracker- certainly watchable)

[david04121980]

Originally Posted by loyalsince

Is Tyler deputising for Darke or Parry or does it look like he was down for this game already?

Maybe Tyler might sit the weekend out now as Sky have a very poor Sat lunch game (no offence to the teams supporters) and an average game on the Sun (although I think it may turn out to be a cracker- certainly watchable)

yeah who knows.....Bill Lesile for a 4pm game anyone???

[motherwellkid]

Originally Posted by Mark.

Man City v Arsenal
Martin Tyler and David Platt

Tyler sounds bored and as if he doesnt want to be at Eastlands. In fact he makes David Platt sound animated - and that takes some doing.

[Mark.]

Celtic v Hapoel Tel Aviv
Clive Tyldesley and Jim Beglin

[casinoman]

Originally Posted by david04121980

yeah who knows.....Bill Lesile for a 4pm game anyone???

I may be totally wrong here but Bill Leslie seems to be doing fewer Prem games this season compared to last season when if im not mistaken he coverd the merseyside derby, so i would say very little chance of a 4.00 game at all this season.
Martin Tyler has vertually made that spot his own this season apart from one week when Ian Darke had one on off course Alan Parry this weekend.
Would not mind betting that if it wasnt for the boxing this weekend Ian Darke would of had tonight's game.

[casinoman]

Originally Posted by motherwellkid

Tyler sounds bored and as if he doesnt want to be at Eastlands. In fact he makes David Platt sound animated - and that takes some doing.

After Sunday's game he coverd he probably cant belive how much speaking time he has

[casinoman]

Man City v Arsenal......7.45..SkySports 1

Actual commentators...Martin Tyler and David Platt.

Pakokelso....Martin Tyler and David Platt..3points

The Wanderer, Zac Quinn, Mogzboy, Seagull_Mark, Toki and Liverpool_9009 were the only others to score a point as they had either Tyler or Platt.

Noone else scored in the opener im afraid.

[david04121980]

Originally Posted by casinoman

I may be totally wrong here but Bill Leslie seems to be doing fewer Prem games this season compared to last season when if im not mistaken he coverd the merseyside derby, so i would say very little chance of a 4.00 game at all this season.
Martin Tyler has vertually made that spot his own this season apart from one week when Ian Darke had one on off course Alan Parry this weekend.
Would not mind betting that if it wasnt for the boxing this weekend Ian Darke would of had tonight's game.

well you have to admit this is a weird season so anything is possible?

[Readingfan]

Originally Posted by loyalsince

Is Tyler deputising for Darke or Parry or does it look like he was down for this game already?

Maybe Tyler might sit the weekend out now as Sky have a very poor Sat lunch game (no offence to the teams supporters) and an average game on the Sun (although I think it may turn out to be a cracker- certainly watchable)

Everton V Tottenham looks like being a pretty decent games. It's probably better than a few 4pm games that Tyler's covered this season. I'd expect him to do a live PL game this weekend, probably at Goodison considering he didn't do the 4pm game last weekend.