Make time for MOTD's return

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Great to have MOD back. But a plea to Paul Amstrong can we please have a little less studio chat between Gary and his friends, and a little more action. They are a great eam but there seems to be this idea these days that we want to hear the views of the experts to the exclusion of match action, but I believe that most viewers would prefer the opposite.
Also can the editor have a word to Adrian Chiles and ask him to stop this bad habit he has of pausing halfway through a sentence and then repeating himself, which he does regularly. That is very frustrating for the audience.

Every time I watched MOTD last season, you opened the programme with a game featuring Manchester United. I stopped watching. Your bias towards the Sky 4 is both palpable and tedious.

My question is this - what will you be offering fans of the game, rather than fans of Manchester United, this season?

Please can you show a little more fairness towards the fans of the smaller clubs in the premiership? Surely you could mix the order of the matches each week? No need to show Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal as the first 4 matches each week

It's not surprising MOTD starts with Man Utd nearly every program - they're the best team in Europe and the best team to watch (yes better than Arsenal, they can actually score goals as well as play great football).

Keep up the good work guys, looking forward to seeing Hull City on tonights show!

I want to compete with Lawro's predictions and I guarantee I will beat him over the whole year with the following formula:

1. Man U and Chelsea always to win
2. all home teams to win except when playing Man U/Chelsea

check my formula against Lawrenson every week.

and everybody says the EPL is exciting. But the whole thing is predictable. Anybody give me a different top two than Man U and Chelsea? Or a different 3/4 than Liverpool Arsenal. Or a different drop than 2 out of three promoted sides. Or a different top ten than the above plus Villa, Spurs, Everton and any three others?

I really enjoy motd, especially when Man City win! (not that often i'll admit) But can you please this season show more of the exciting games first? Like for instance a 3-2 between Villa and Spurs instead of watching Chelsea or Utd beating Middlesbrough 1-0.

It seems to be every week one of the top 4 clubs starts off the show, sometimes they are on one after another! If there game is full of goals and excitement then fair enough. But too many times do we have to sit through 15mins of the game and analysis of a boring 1-0 win!

Apart from that the show is good!

Welcome Back! I have been a critic of Match of the Day, and its editorial staff and presenters.

I believe, in spite of its "editorial aim" (see elsewhere) it:

. is biased to the usual 4 teams, with the possible exception of Arsenal (No, I am not, I hope they are relegated).

. the presenters spend too much time talking rather than showing the action, with the few comments at the end from the experts aimed at helping us to understand the game better. Comments, such as, "any team wanting to compete at the top level should buy the two B's, Bentley and Berbatov", is unacceptable, unsettling of players and the BBC should not indulge.

. does not stick to the aim of showing 5mins of every game, preferring to spend 25 mins of the programme on what the programme perceives to be the best talking point, usually the 4 favoured teams. Yes, the edit might be close to the 10 mins allowed but the build up and comments make up the rest.

. spends too much time on promoting the presenters, ie talking about Alan Shearer's intentions of possible management.

. spends too much time talking about irrelevencies, such as David James hairstyle, etc, with the presenters trying to be funny and "entertaining" in the wrong way.

Please, BBC, remember we are all licence payers, we all want to see out own team treated as any other. And even if you do not have a preference for any team then you have a duty to look at all of them rather than be sucked into the Manchester United or Chelsea camp because they happen to be doing well.

Firstly can I say that both Football Focus and Score were woefully tame and boring last year and poor compared to the fun Soccer Saturday brings.

Make more use of Lee Dixon as he is better to watch and listen to than Alan Shearer.

Also last season I got totally fed up with there being a thrilling game with lots of goals and then the whole analysis being devoted to a penalty appeal. It ruins the whole programme. The referee has given/not given it so its too late to change anything. Plus there's no point asking your pundits whether its a penalty or not because most of the time they either disagree with each other or say they don't know. And tell your pundits that just because there is 'contact' it doesn't make it a penalty.

And I'm sure you'll be using Jake Humphrey more often which is good in my opinion. He's better than Manish and Ray Stubbs in my opinion.

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Will the MOTD producers be putting in just a little creative effort this season ? The Eu Cup pundit coverage was, imo, dull to shamefully lazy. ( And Very Expensive )

But I bet they think it's groundbreaking and a thrilling ride for the viewer. ( ahem )

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I love Gary Lineker he is a genius! MOTD is a wonderful, intelligent serious football show, please do not criticize.

why are you treating the reurn of MOTD like its the biggest thing since sliced bread

the 2008-9 BBC football portfolio

one live game from the champions league third qualiyfing round

highlights from the premier league

and er thats it !!!!

i wouldnt be shouting too loud with just that lot in store if i were you mr Armstrong

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"Anyway, thank goodness all of that will be eclipsed by an outbreak of football this weekend. " - the outbreak of football took place last week when the football league kicked off. Why is it that all the BBC columnists seem convinced that the football season is starting today? Football does exist outside the over hyped, overpaid premiership. Lousy coverage.

What is wrong with all you lot that are moaning about MOTD?

Surely you should be excited that the Premier League is back and you get to see all the action and goals for free! And you get a bit of banter from some actual ex-footballers (of the highest quality)

No it isn't as wacky as some other broadcasters shows but who cares - these guys actually know their football!

Stop your whinging and enjoy the action...

ps as for those complaining about the amount of coverage the big 4 get what would you rather watch: Man Utd v Liverpool or Stoke v Wigan?

People should stop moaning about the "big 4" being shown on MOTD. Think about it - if there are 7 games on a Saturday and the "big 4" are all playing, then the "big 4" are playing in over half of the games being played! So the liklihood is that they will feature highly in MOTD!!!

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Hansen and Shearer are two very good pundits, the rest are pretty poor.

Good show on the whole, only gripe is the lead you take from the tabloids. This inevitabley means following a particular 'theme' and focusing far too much attention to this in the analysis.

Just want proper analysis of the actual game without alluding to the often exageratted wider picture, i.e poor player conduct, poor referees etc.

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Good to hear MOTD is back but like most things, the Football DID start 1 week ago.
Does the Prem League the only thing that the BBC actually care about?

Can I ask.... will MOTD show games will loads of goals rather then us watching 1-0 dull wins for Man Utd and the Chelski.

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Not to take anything away from Mr Phelps, but why have we not seen the underwatershot of the finish of his 7th Gold medal? This shot has been used in every finish up til now. I'm sure he won it but it does seem strange; am i alone in this thought?

""ps as for those complaining about the amount of coverage the big 4 get what would you rather watch: Man Utd v Liverpool or Stoke v Wigan?""
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Erm, If Stoke vs Wigan had more goals and more talking points as opposed to a 1-0 win for Man Utd, then yeah i'd rather watch Stoke v Wigan =]

sorry but we are all getting somewhat bored with the gang of 3 on MOTD
Alan Hansen...grit and determination does he know any other words
Shearer never tells me anything i don't know
and mark has just about had his day as resident comedian.

How about tony cascarino in a guest spot or full time even excellent when on talksport
or the master!! Gabrielle marcotti talksport has gone to pot without him
he is without doubt the most well informed journalist and will give his opinion whatever.
Jamie redknapp is another excellent punditwho is wasted on tv should be a manager
i see setanta have stolen chris waddle another who has an opinion and will give it

all in all MOTD is boring and needs a change of presenters

a guest spot for a jounalist would liven things up it certainly needs it

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Anyone know why MotD and Football Focus etc don't make it to BBCi?

Welcome back!

My weekend has been dull as has every weekend since the football ended.

Missed last nights MOTD due to being conked out till 1 am. WIll catch up today.

Make sure Gary heads it as usual :D.

Paul - You mentioned you are showing live football league from next season, can you give us some more information on this? Which league will you be showing matches from and how often will the matches shown?

Well, as a Coventry City fan there's not much point in me watching MOTD! However, when I do choose to watch yours or Skys programming I seemed to be faced with the "choice" of watching Man Utd, Chelsea or Arsenal. Football television in the 21st Century is boring beyond belief.

I've just signed up to Setanta and hope to see some Scottish and Blue Square Premier matches, it will at least make a change.

Of course, I'll still be going to the Ricoh to see my team play.

Less pointless breakfast bar chat with Linekar, Hansen and Shearer would be ideal.

Interesting to see Roger Johnson commentating on the show last night. Will he be a regular in the commentary box this season or just covering during the Olympics?

I hope that Dan O'Hagan will still be part of the commentary line-up.

I understand your desire to please all the viewers who are complaining that you focus on the BIG FOUR too much, but to totally ignore both Man Utd and Chelsea on last night's programme was just plain ridiculous. I waited until nearly midnight to see the goals.

Just a shame that this is the only football coverage on the BBC this season.

It is incredible that the BBC now shows NO live football or cricket - the main 2 sports in this country.

If I was a sports editor I certainly wouldn't be boasting about the return of a football highlights show. It just underlines the lack of sports rights the BBC holds.

Mr Armstrong re comment 30

what does it matter what i do for a living and i can accentuate the positive thanks

as for LIVE football on the BBC this season there is NOTHING to be positive about-i merely point out the fact the BBC football portfolio this season is probably the worst its been since the entry of satelite television in 1988.

and lets be honest here the portfolio next season is very much "crumbs at the feet of the table" 10 live championship games, 2 league cup semis and the final !!!!!

The corporation didnt bid for champions league (sure you did a deal with ITV re F1-but thats another story).

and then you didnt even bid for the uefa cup matches

The Corporation has NOTHING to be positive about re its football portfolio this season and then very little for the next three years

Honesty and realism Mr Armstrong- no more no less !!!!

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sideshow_bob (#40) I have to ask you ... what goals.

Your post was written on 17 August at 4:29pm *i.e. Sunday afternoon, referring to leaving Manchester Utd and Chelsea until the end of LAST NIGHT's programme.

Since neither United nor Chelsea played until Sunday, is it any wonder that there was little mention of them?

I agree with everything archiecrooks has to say in comment 42.

I also agree we are bored with Gary, Alan, Alan and Lawro.

I was going to ask who your main commentator (for the big live games) was going to be after Motty's retirement. Then I realised that you don't actually have a live game for over a year.

It's no wonder John Motson retired, it would have to be another 2 years before he actually got to commentate on a live game.

Is it the intention of the MOTD editor to never change the format?

Is looking a very tired programme now. Lineker is good but it is high time Hansen made way for someone else. He is must be the most boring pundit on TV.

Please, please do not force Shearer on us either. He is not too good at the job either.

If you have to keep Hansen ‘cause he is a family friend or whatever can you spare
us to see him on both programmes. If he is on MOTD then MOTD 2 should be Hansen free.

When are you going to give the viewers a better insight into the game and business.
Maybe more short films about the people behind the scenes: the boot boys, programme sellers, coach drivers etc etc.

You have been running with the same format now for years and years. People are sick of it.

The BBC did not do a deal with ITV over Formula One-I don't know where these misconceptions come from-ITV withdrew from the sport for commercial reasons and Ecclestone wanted to stay free to air-the BBC found the money to do the deal. The BBC made a big bid with Sky for the FA rights but were outbid. That's life. The football rights market is hugely competitive and very expensive, and the UEFA situation is complicated by their obsession with sponsors. The MOTD rights-airily dismissed by archicrooks-are watched by more people than any other EPL outlet- and are only obtained at a substantial cost. The inflationary battle between Sky and Setanta is a reality and the free to air broadcasters deserve some credit for the extent they have managed to live with it.

Mr Armstrong, you know you would be biased towards the Big 4, you have been doing it for years and then throw the blame on us the viewers, we know when the big 4 are on.

I am aware that for one whole season in the FA Cup, every game was Man Utd, remember that?

Every team was snubbed including Nuneaton Borough for a crucial cup tie against Middlesbrough in 2006 in the 3rd Round replay.

I am sure when Man Utd and Chelsea play on a Saturday, their games will be 1st and a thrilling 7-8 win in Tottenham and West Ham will be relegated to 3rd in the show.

We want to see Goals galore games first then the Big 4 in their goaless draws or dull 1-0 wins.

re jcb336

i am not "airily" dismissing anything-i am responding to the editor of MOTD posting a blog on here about the return of his beloved programmeand pointing out just how thin the BBC football portfolio is until at least july 2012 and it doesnt matter if MOTD isd the most watched "highlights" show at around 2.5-3 million viewers. LIVE GAMES PULL THE AUDIENCES IN jcb336-or did you convienently forget to mention that


now lets deal in facts

FACT

F1 returned the BBC on the very day the final champions league package was announced with ITV winning the "prize"

FACT

for the last 18 months we have been told the BBC will be bidding for Champions league football to make up for losing facup-England games-they didnt

FACT

The BBC then didnt even did for the second prize of UEFA cup games-i think this is astounding given the calibre of teams competing



i have already "got the beers in ready and chilled" for the 2 carling cup semis and final in approximately 20 months time-when arsenal reserves will take on the Liverpool academy LIVE ON THE BBC

cant wait !!!!

My own view is that the programme looks very tired indeed

I hope the BBC were watching Setanta's coverage of the England match last night - passion and professionalism rather than cosy complacency, which is I'm sure a major factor in the corporation losing England matches and the FA Cup

I agree with comment 51.

Setanta's coverage was excellent. They have the brightest presenter in Angus Scott, and McManaman, Venables and Redknapp were far more entertaining, insightful and passionate than Hansen and Shearer ever could be. And also Chris Waddle is a better summariser than Lawro. The BBC need to wake up.

Setanta was on from 7:00 until 10:30 and was not just 5 minutes build up and analysis. Also the BBC don't make any effort to bring new things into their coverage. Its always the same three in a studio. I was watching the Setanta game the other night and they interviewed Trevor Brooking in the directors area. At least they are trying new things. People also complain about them costing too much but they cost just a tenner a month compared to £30 Sky.

The BBC only have Jake Humphrey who can rival the new talented presenters.