Obviously they both played for teams who were (and still are) incredibly bitter rivals. Neville, as Manchester United captain was despised by Liverpool fans and he only made matters worse by infamously goading them back in 2006. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o2DwSZdB5VE But he generally had a good reputation within the game by then of his career. While Jamie Carragher recovered from an embarrassing incident at a players' Christmas party (involving a female stripper and a dollop of whipped cream; I'll let you use your imagination with the rest of it) to become a highly respected and admired defender.
But they have a surprisingly good on-screen chemistry as a Manc/Scouse odd-couple partnership. Neville is obviously the outspoken extrovert while Carragher is more of a quiet introvert. Neville came across as spiky as a player but has obviously mellowed considerably and both ex-footballers have a self-deprecating sense of humor.
But what impresses me most is the in-depth analysis of technical issues.They are particularly good at analyzing good and bad positional play and explaining it in terms which laymen can understand. See, for example the excellent Carragher on Dejan Lovren here https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cZiYeQcaQXY. Although both men played as defenders, they still have the knowledge to talk about other areas of the game (see Neville's illuminating analysis of goalkeeper David de Gea here https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_t2t1M-5FqY
They regularly take seven to eight minutes to deliver these detailed mini-lectures on technical issues. Both pundits are surprisingly articulate and use concrete examples to back up their points. Neville in particular is obviously a smart guy and uses contrast and comparison to make sophisticated arguments which are a cut above anything produced by any other pundit (particularly at the BBC).
Neville and Carragher have contributed to my understanding and enjoyment of the Premier League immensely. This is particularly so in terms of aspects of the game which are less obvious to lay people such as positional play, body shape, reading the game and making runs into space.
One little gripe, they sometimes put the absolutely awful Jamie Redknapp on as well. His cockney accent, his boring voice, his over-use of cliches, his superficial comments; he just makes me want to go to sleep.
But overall I strongly recommend Monday Night Football with Carragher and Neville. Long may it continue.
No comments:
Post a Comment