ss

ss

a

a

Sports greatest commentators

I think people forget what makes live sport on television so exciting.


Yes people watch for the sporting action, but it's those charismatic, over zealous commentators that add that little something special to every sporting occasion.

There was no one better last night to remind me then the great Sid Waddell as I was watching a darts repeat on Sky Sports.

“Look at the man go, it’s like trying to stop a buffalo with a pea shooter.”

He has become a cult hero for his hilarious one liners and outright complete obsession for every single little detail.

Thanks to him darts is like an institution on Sky Sport’s generating huge viewing figures and sell out crowds for every tournament.

I'll never forget Waddell when commentating on an obviously very hot John Part: "He's sweating like a donkey with a belly full of vindaloo."

I'm sure you'll agree a classic piece of commentary gold.

And there are so many more, cricket might not be the world’s most exciting sport, but there have certainly been some thrilling commentators.

The Telegraph once called the great Brian Johnson, “the greatest natural broadcaster of them all”, he was superb on both television and radio.

And in rugby, I have to admit, I’m a big fan of Will Chignell. He brings so much character to every match, when Leinster won away in Toulouse in the Heineken cup three years ago that was the most excited I have ever heard a commentator on TV.

He gave the match a new purpose, he created intensity and brought the game to life just with the passion in his voice.

Only the other day I turned over to watch cycling on Euro-Sport, i am by no means a cycling fan but the commentator, ‘eccentric’, to say the least was enthralling and I was hooked.

But there are also the opposites who create tension at the most silent of sporting events, whispering Ted Lowe had snooker fans in pure suspense.

Even Dan Maskell had a style so endearing to tennis fans, “What a glorious forehand.......ooh I say."

And Ausie Richie Benaud channel 4’s cricket commentator produces superb elegant displays in front of the mic, articulating and calling the match in a faultless manner.

But for all those great commentator's and broadcasters, I can’t let this blog go without mention for those awful football pundit’s.

John Motson’s double act with Mark Lawrenson had me swiftly reaching for the mute button and for Johnathan Pearce on channel five, I swear he started his career on Robot Wars, not that I ever watched it of course.

But hey, at least we’ve now got the evervescent pair of Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer to look forward to........... yeah right!

The demise of Rafa!

I am a huge Liverpool fan, and I found myself this morning saying where did it all go wrong.

Okay Liverpool won well against Everton on the weekend, but this season has been as bleak as any for a Liverpool fan.

And I have finally now come to the stage where Rafa has to go, Liverpool have stagnated and they need an injection of innovation and someone to implement new ideas.

Liverpool finished last season unbeaten in their last 11 games and were very unlucky not to pip Man Utd to the title in May.

So this season was billed as the platform to press on and win that first title for twenty years.

However that has not been the case, the title race is over and Liverpool are out of the Champions League, a competition that has served them so well.

Torres has been injured, Gerrard has only played a hanful of games and new signing Aquilani has yet to start a premier league game.

On top of that the lack of depth in Liverpools squad has been seriously exposed with flops like Babel and Voronin.

Liverpool now need a change of direction, and I personally would like to see Jose Mourninho come and manage the side, its that type of character which may just transform the club back to greatness.

'Denmania'

NOW the dust has settled on what was simply an incredible Hennesy Gold Cup its time to start billing the Gold Cup decider.

Denmans win on Saturday under a 11st 12 was one of the great weight carrying peformances in recent years.

After the tribulations of his heart surgery I don't think anyone believed we would see the real Denman again.

But when he springheeled the cross fence four out and had the rest of the field in his wake, Denmania was back.

I am myself a Kauto Star man but I couldn't help being taken back buy the scenes at Newbury, it was something very very special.

The bookies now price the Gold Cup with Denman and Kauto at 9/4 a piece and the decider is well and truly on.

Come March I promise you this will be billed as the greatest race of all time, and so it should be, I think it will grab not only racing fans, but reach out to the public as well.

What makes it so fascinating as they are both in their own right top class staying chasers, but both have such contrasting styles.

It's the elegance and speed of Kauto against the brute force and power of Denman, both times when either horse has won, the other horse has not quite been fully fit.

However this year baaring any mishaps both horses will be primed 100 per cent for the race, and I already can not wait.