All change on Soccer Saturday

Tombstone · 26 Aug 2020 at 19:34

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...e-Tissier-Charlie-Nicholas-Phil-Thompson.html

Real shame that, always felt that they and Merson and Stelling had a great camaraderie

robfosters · 26 Aug 2020 at 19:37

Tombstone said:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...e-Tissier-Charlie-Nicholas-Phil-Thompson.html

Real shame that, always felt that they and Merson and Stelling had a great camaraderie

Shame, I suppose an all white male panel isn’t diverse enough anymore.

McBain · 26 Aug 2020 at 20:15

Thats a shame they had a good chemistry. At least Merson is still there for comedy value.

BaZ87 · 26 Aug 2020 at 20:40

I think it's quite telling that you all talk about the chemistry between the panel rather than the quality of the punditry because that was something always lacking. Hopefully Sky have decided to turn soccer saturday into a proper football show rather than just a few of the old boys having a bit of banter between themselves. You've still got the village idiot in Merson and the genuinely funny Kamara around, I'm not sure I'll miss any of the others.

McBain · 26 Aug 2020 at 21:20

I think it'll get real boring, real quick. They've tried a different panel on weekdays when Stelling isn't even there and it's noway near as entertaining imo.

If I wanted seriousness I could just listen to the actual game commentary.

Moothead2 · 26 Aug 2020 at 21:29

BaZ87 said:
I think it's quite telling that you all talk about the chemistry between the panel rather than the quality of the punditry because that was something always lacking. Hopefully Sky have decided to turn soccer saturday into a proper football show rather than just a few of the old boys having a bit of banter between themselves. You've still got the village idiot in Merson and the genuinely funny Kamara around, I'm not sure I'll miss any of the others.

Top Gear wouldn't have been anywhere near as popular as it was if it was just 3 guys with expert knowledge on cars. I doubt anyone is watching Soccer Saturday for it's expert punditry. It's for up to date scores and the occasional laugh.

Stumble Bum · 26 Aug 2020 at 21:45

You watch Soccer Saturday for the banter. Not for professional punditry. It will be very interesting to see who they bring in... I suppose I'll have to wait for the new line up before I slate them, but I can only imagine the sort of people they have lined up.

Tombstone · 26 Aug 2020 at 21:48

BaZ87 said:
I think it's quite telling that you all talk about the chemistry between the panel rather than the quality of the punditry because that was something always lacking. Hopefully Sky have decided to turn soccer saturday into a proper football show rather than just a few of the old boys having a bit of banter between themselves. You've still got the village idiot in Merson and the genuinely funny Kamara around, I'm not sure I'll miss any of the others.

I agree with what you are saying, the quality of the punditry wasnt great but that really isnt the primary reason that I watch soccer saturday, for SS I watch for the pub-like banter, the over the top reactions, the friendly ribbing of each other. For me its an entertainment program which simply has football matches as its backdrop. Its that banter and friendly ribbing etc that I will miss, unless the new panel produce the same of course.

Jimbeam3678 · 26 Aug 2020 at 21:53

From what I saw in the hotel they stayed at there was no chemistry off camera

several times I stayed and they all sat at separate tables at breakfast time hardly even acknowledging each other.

Granted this was servers years ago still funny though when I saw them on tv a few hours later being all pally

Andybtsn · 26 Aug 2020 at 21:54

Is it going to be women on the panel

robfosters · 26 Aug 2020 at 21:58

Andybtsn said:
Is it going to be women on the panel

Alex Scott or Sue Smith are nailed on

Andybtsn · 26 Aug 2020 at 22:02

robfosters said:
Alex Scott or Sue Smith are nailed on

Banter bus. All aboard

Stumble Bum · 26 Aug 2020 at 22:06

This is top gear all over again

BaZ87 · 26 Aug 2020 at 22:18

Genuinely shocked at how many people are going to miss Charlie 'sittin there thinking' Nicholas's terrible banter.

Mr Blonde · 26 Aug 2020 at 23:00

BaZ87 said:
Genuinely shocked at how many people are going to miss Charlie 'sittin there thinking' Nicholas's terrible banter.

Nicholas was a waste of space but I had a lot of time for Le Tissier's calm demeanour. It'll be interesting to see who they pad the show out with and whether there's any chemistry at all.

Jimbeam3678 · 27 Aug 2020 at 06:40

Andybtsn said:
Is it going to be women on the panel

Not sure if serious but whats wrong with that?

Phil Thomo and Charlie have been stealing a living for far too long on Sky Sports. Is it too much to hope Jamie Redknapp is next on the chopping block? He adds nothing to the show, least Souness has an opinion.

omnomnom · 27 Aug 2020 at 08:57

I'm hoping these sexist comments are sarcasm...

MissChief · 27 Aug 2020 at 09:06

omnomnom said:
I'm hoping these sexist comments are sarcasm...

Some of them won’t be.

I actually like Alex Scott, she’s smart and knowledgable. It remains to be seen who they will get to replace them but I noticed that every match shown after the whole BLM thing had at least one black person as a pundit. I suspect it will be much the same on soccer Saturday with one black pundit and likely one woman too.

omnomnom · 27 Aug 2020 at 09:15

MissChief said:
Some of them won’t be.

I actually like Alex Scott, she’s smart and knowledgable. It remains to be seen who they will get to replace them but I noticed that every match shown after the whole BLM thing had at least one black person as a pundit. I suspect it will be much the same on soccer Saturday with one black pundit and likely one woman too.

If you have an issue with a pundit then say why. To simply say:

Is it going to be women on the panel

That's just sexist nonsense. The outrage on the usual channels has been embarrassing. Imagine being angry because Nicholas and Thomson are no longer on a show. They talk utter driver with no substance to anything they say. Merson still being on there is the only thing wrong here.

MissChief · 27 Aug 2020 at 09:22

omnomnom said:
If you have an issue with a pundit then say why. To simply say:

That's just sexist nonsense. The outrage on the usual channels has been embarrassing. Imagine being angry because Nicholas and Thomson are no longer on a show. They talk utter driver with no substance to anything they say. Merson still being on there is the only thing wrong here.

Either the comic relief or they’re using him to hit the mental health angle. Or fear he’d go back to drinking and gambling if they cut him. He was actually one of the worst. Can’t even pronounce some players names, forgetful a lot, often doesn’t make sense or rambles on. Phil Thompson was actually quite good, Charlie Nicholas not so much. Le Tiss was also quite good, but really it was all held together by Jeff.