GARY
Neville was the special guest on Sky Sports Sunday Supplement over
weekend and provided a fascinating insight into football writing,
journalism and the way ahead for our industry.
The
former Manchester United full back and well established Sky pundit
almost invited himself on some weeks ago when he took issue with some
of the more modern aspects of the sports journalism industry.
But to
say he is no fan of journalists would be a mistake, with every
criticism there was praise and the desire for players to be MORE
involved with journalists not less.
For me as
a journalist it was a fascinating snapshot of where we are in 2016,
where something needs to be
published seconds after it happens not in
a few hours.
He was
particularly good on the row with Loic Karius which saw the Liverpool
keeper and indeed Reds boss Jurgen Klopp bite back at some of
Neville's criticisms of the man between the sticks.
No
personal offence seems to have been taken, instead there was a
frustration that actually a relatively mild form of criticism (what
Neville is paid to do as a pundit) became such a story.
Neville
criticised the goalkeeper after Liverpool lost to Bournemouth but
later that afternoon saved his stronger criticism for Maarten
Steklenberg the Everton keeper and memorably labelled Marouane
Fellani 'pathetic' for conceding a last minute penalty.
Yet the
Karius story stuck and became red hot when Karius decided to have a
go back and Klopp chimed in by pointing to Neville's not great record
as Valencia head coach.
But
Neville provoked scorn by saying 'shut your gob' to Karius – his
appearance on Sunday Supplement allowed him to elaborate on it.
Neville simply said it was advice from an old pro to shut up, play
well, win the title then ram his criticism down his throat.
Because
that's how players should take criticism, think 'Right, I will prove
you wrong!'
I don't
get this 'rise of the super pundit' stuff, Neville (and for that
Carragher, Souness, Keane et al) are simply being honest.
The best
analysis of football is when the former pro doesn't make excuses and
simply calls something for what it was.
Neville
is searingly honest, which for me as a fan is what I want to hear not
the cosy Match of the Day dressing room banter with Gary and his
mates or BT Sport's 'look at us we are all new' approach.
Is he
always right? No of course not. Is he biased against Liverpool
because of his Manchester United career? No, if you have listened to
Neville in the last three years he has eviscerated Van Gaal and
certain Manchester United players.
Can
subjects of his criticism and scorn prove him wrong? Of course they
can. That's the beauty of a nine month football season.
We need
journalists to bring us the insight and match reports and pundits to
analyise the matches as former pros.
Long may
both parts of the Beautiful Game continue.
