Re: Sky Coverage : Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:45 am  

Offside Monkey wrote:

Clarkey's been driven down the sats route, which is a little forced at times, but the "key performance indicators" are a lot more sensible than the result o' metre they had last year.

I've grown to like this side of the analysis tbh. The stats show on the red button during boots n all is great and, although it doesn't show the whole picture of a game, it gives a different view on how it was played and that does interest me.

The problem for me is the analysis on game day and Jon wells does an ok job, but it's very descriptive. I'd like him to be a heap more tactical and give a high quality analysis - similar to what Tony Rea did all them years ago when he was on boots n all.

Take a look at how the lions HT analysis is presented now and that is how it SHOULD be done. They have a former coach looking at the game from a coaches POV and really analysing the game plans.

Re: Sky Coverage : Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:50 am  

Albion wrote:

I've grown to like this side of the analysis tbh. The stats show on the red button during boots n all is great and, although it doesn't show the whole picture of a game, it gives a different view on how it was played and that does interest me.

The problem for me is the analysis on game day and Jon wells does an ok job, but it's very descriptive. I'd like him to be a heap more tactical and give a high quality analysis - similar to what Tony Rea did all them years ago when he was on boots n all.

Take a look at how the lions HT analysis is presented now and that is how it SHOULD be done. They have a former coach looking at the game from a coaches POV and really analysing the game plans.

In the build up to Origin 1 Phil Gould did a piece on Jonathan Thurston. He did a close analysis of a 3-set sequence at the end of game 3 from 2012 which clearly demonstrated the importance of Thurston's communication and quickness of thought, as well as the importance of the actions of players off the ball. It was great, and we don't get anything remotely close to it in UK coverage.

Re: Sky Coverage : Fri Jun 14, 2013 11:20 am  

Albion wrote:

I've grown to like this side of the analysis tbh. The stats show on the red button during boots n all is great and, although it doesn't show the whole picture of a game, it gives a different view on how it was played and that does interest me.

The problem for me is the analysis on game day and Jon wells does an ok job, but it's very descriptive. I'd like him to be a heap more tactical and give a high quality analysis - similar to what Tony Rea did all them years ago when he was on boots n all.

Take a look at how the lions HT analysis is presented now and that is how it SHOULD be done. They have a former coach looking at the game from a coaches POV and really analysing the game plans.

I haven't got to watch much of the lions stuff so far, but I watched the build up to the European final. it was great (to be fair, its better than the actual game).

One part that was great was to compare the standoffs, they used a graphic representation to show (from the semi final) where the standoff kicked from and in which direction.

Imagine looking at the analysis of a game, compare the two main field kickers, show where they're kicking from, which direction and whether the ball is hitting the ground, finding touch or rolling dead.

They did the same with passing, which may be a bit complicated for us because of the vastly increased number of plays, but imagine if they broke it down into 20 minute sections. Dux will tell you one of the most remarkable things he's seen in rugby league was when he went to see SOO and Joey Johns started the game playing a short passing game, drew the defence in tight and then in the last quarter, exploded into a mode of long and wide passes - NSW ran away with the game. Imagine if we could have something like that - rather than Stevo regurgitation the same old cliches everyweek.

Re: Sky Coverage : Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:03 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

I think Stevo would suprise you if you met him. He obviously had a lot of playing experience. I bet if you went for a pint with him you could have a good chat about footy, but stick him on telly when he HAS to say something, and he goes bananas. Reel him in, let him do the odd interveiw I reckon.

True, his real life persona is nothing like his on screen character, none of the ranting, gibberish and stupidity. Mike Stephenson has built the "Stevo" cartoon character up over 20odd years, when in reality he would be much better on TV if he just behaved like he does off camera.

Re: Sky Coverage : Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:16 pm  

Personally i like Barrie and Terry. At least they give it a bit of passion, plus the fact they are still involved in the game and have a good knowledge of whats going on. Much the same with Carney. Jon Wells bores me senseless, he seems to have no confidence on camera. I have nothing against them all as people i just think it's time for a change.

Re: Sky Coverage : Fri Jun 14, 2013 2:39 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

I haven't got to watch much of the lions stuff so far, but I watched the build up to the European final. it was great (to be fair, its better than the actual game).

I have only really watched one of the games - the one with Quade Cooper playing - but yes, the build up and HT analysis was great. At HT a former defence coach (I think it was) was looking at how the Lions were defending out wide and showing how Cooper's passing game was exploiting it. Small details, but the way this coach presented it was interesting and that level of detail showed that he actually knows what he is talking about, so you sit back as a viewer and listen. I don't think anyone off the street could have picked that out as an obvious structure/tactic - something that I think can be levelled at the Sky 'analytical' team. Most people can do what Wells does at HT and FT.

Here's my suggestion: I think that Jon Wells (he seems like the analytical member of the team) should not discuss the tries (or is it trys? Anyway..) at all as this just leads to an obvious and descriptive analysis, Alan Shearer-esque - 'look at the pass...player x missed this tackle here so y exploited it...' etc; very descriptive and that gets quite boring. Instead Eddie should lead a studio guest (or whoever) to discuss the 'try highlights', then Jon Wells should look at tactics and back this up with some sort of presentation with Phil Clarke then looking at the stats.

By pointing out the intricacies of the game, it becomes more engaging and it leads to a better show. If Jon Wells is unable to get the level of analysis that is required, then they should look at getting an unemployed/retired coach to do this segment - Tony Rea did this really well as I have mentioned earlier. Instead of Jon Kear or Shaun McRae sat on their booty contributing very little, maybe they should look at this. Use their 'expertise'.

Re: Sky Coverage : Fri Jun 14, 2013 6:22 pm  

according to Rugby League Express,Stevo says he has got two more years on his contract then he is off.He also says when he goes Eddie might follow him out, what are your thoughts on this.Brian Carney as anchor man yes? if not Bill Arthur who would be your favourite for the commentary spot & partner.They might even go solo.

Re: Sky Coverage : Fri Jun 14, 2013 6:40 pm  

Anyone else find the rugby league a lot more dull to watch when Studd or Arthur are commentating? Eddie and Stevo have inexplicably come to define Friday night rugby league and the big RL occasions. I'll miss them when they're gone.

Re: Sky Coverage : Fri Jun 14, 2013 6:46 pm  

They could start by interviewing a few young local radio commentators.
Some are really good and get them away from their "local" bias I'm sure could make the grade.
The best addition this year is the introduction of Stuart Cummings with his details on refs decisions. It has stopped Stevenson's opinionated ranting on refs decisions and gives the viewers an excellent insight on how the ref is seeing the game and his interpretion of the rules.

Re: Sky Coverage : Sat Jun 15, 2013 8:45 am  

Father Ted wrote:

The best addition this year is the introduction of Stuart Cummings with his details on refs decisions. It has stopped Stevenson's opinionated ranting on refs decisions and gives the viewers an excellent insight on how the ref is seeing the game and his interpretion of the rules.

I don't understand why Sky don't do what Premier Sports initiated and the BBC copied and actually listen in to the video referee when he is deliberating. Having Cummings on there with his monotone voice trying to interpret what the video ref is doing, plus every other bloody referee decision in the whole of the match, irritates me. The Eddie and Stevo show now comprises analysis of referee decisions to the nth degree plus talk about everything else bar the game (last night it was Sinfield and whether he would play against Widnes on Monday night).