World Cup coverage stumbles—English channels can’t hide gaps

Duncan Ferguson has mellowed over the years and it’s maybe just as well for Wyclef Jean. It would have been maximum pain never mind Killing Me Softly for the Fugees rapper after trying to wind up big Dunc on the ITV pundit couch on the Manhattan skyline. For a split second, Ferguson’s brow furrowed and there were fears we would see a repeat of Zinedine Zidane’s epic head-butt exit 20 years ago in Germany. That would have been something worth watching from our national broadcasters.

Big Dunc has done his best but there’s not been much else. The World Cup has been quality so far – but it’s in spite of the coverage rather than because of it. The Beeb have copped it for hosting their broadcasts back in Salford but that hasn’t really been the issue, apart from Wayne Rooney looking like he’s suffering from serious FOMO while the ITV troops get to enjoy being out on the tiles Stateside. The real problem with the BBC stuff is that

it has been so dull. It’s just as well Olivier Giroud is a handsome Harry because the Frenchman certainly couldn’t rely on his patter to get a winch. He’s been a human sleeping tablet – which is not great when most of the games have been on at stupid o’clock. Over at ITV, they’ve stuck with the usual suspects but we’re way past the overkill stage with Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Ian Wright now. Ange Postecoglou has been solid but too often he has

been rolled out for the matches screened when the milk man is doing his run. Emma Hayes clearly knows her stuff but they didn’t half do her dirty with the hydration break feature when they had the US women’s coach doing tactics on a blackboard in what looked like a kitchen. It was an open goal for the online mob to take the mickey. Being handcuffed to the English channels has been pretty painful. They have been forensic on a daily basis when it has

come to Thomas Tuchel’s camp. But Scotland have been given nothing but lip service and pats on the head, with more chat about Boston coppers doing keepy-ups and punters drinking than tactical deep dives. There’s also been something glaringly missing from both main broadcasters – we’ve been crying out for some kind of morning highlights show, given the timings of games. A wee half-hour show at 8am to watch before work or something, going over the previous night games with a bit of informed chat

would have been nice. The only real mainstream morning show has been Gary Lineker’s effort over on Netflix. Not that any Scotland fan will stick with it. The coverage on there following the Scotland game was embarrassing, with Lineker and Shearer clearly clueless about how Steve Clarke’s men play or who is involved beyond Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay and John McGinn. There was a glimmer of hope when Joe Cole was asked about Clarkey, having worked under him at Chelsea. “I’m pleased for him, he’s

a top geezer…”, was the sum and substance of it. Cheers Joe, tune in tomorrow for some more amazing insights. The World Cup has been a smash hit – but armchair viewers have been tempted to head-butt their screens. Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in an exclusive offer to celebrate the World Cup. Click HERE .

World Cup coverage, BBC Salford, ITV pundits, Duncan Ferguson, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Ian Wright, Ange Postecoglou, Emma Hayes, Thomas Tuchel, Steve Clarke, Scotland, Gary Lineker Netflix, Joe Cole