Andy Gray's Raging Ignorance Continues Netherlands vs. France, and the Bad Coverage in the Studio

[Alberto]

Over on the TV, Music and Movie Forum someone posted a thread about ABC Wide World of Sports. They bemoaned the fact that the program had such a high standard especially the announcers such as Jim McKay, who recently passed away. ESPN's coverage both in the studio and of the matches has been attrocious. The level of ignorance regarding the laws of the game has reached the level of buffoonery. If I did not know better I swear they did it to incite controversy. It has clearly impacted our forum with several ridiculously long threads on all manner of subjects. Today the moron Andy Gray whom sounds he should be announcing WWF wrestling matches made another monumental blunder when he stated France should be entitled to a penalty when Thierry Henry struck a shot from about three to five yards out that hit the dutch player in the arm? Possibly yes or not, the video evidence is inconclusive. Henry trying to win a penalty with gamesmanship. The idiot Andy Gray states that at that close range even if the ball strikes the hand it should be a penalty. I would seriously like the strangle this idiot! Post away.

[Tarheel Ref]

The level of ignorance regarding the laws of the game has reached the level of buffoonery. If I did not know better I swear they did it to incite controversy.

I've said similar things about the last WC announcing crew

[Ref Flunkie]

I've said similar things about the last WC announcing crew

Actually, I am starting to like John Harks over on the ESPN MLS broadcasts. I have not noticed any major law blunders on his part as of yet and he seems to give just the right amount of referee analysis for my taste.

[campbed]

For top level matches (WC, UEFA, EPL, ...) Put a retired referee in the booth.

Done.

p.s. I'm sure they will work for less pay than the talking heads.

p.s.s. FIRST PAGE! ;p

[Tarheel Ref]

Actually, I am starting to like John Harks over on the ESPN MLS broadcasts. I have not noticed any major law blunders on his part as of yet and he seems to give just the right amount of referee analysis for my taste.

I've taken to ignoring them but if you say Harkes is getting better I'll give him another shot.

And I heard a couple of just really ridiculous things from the announcer with the Irish accent (??? my opinion don't beat me up if I'm wrong) but just didn't think more of the obvious needed to be stated.

[Caesar]

Andy Gray's knowledge of the laws is atrocious, always has been. It's compounded by the fact he thinks he knows what he's talking about.

As most English referees will attest, he's one of the worst commentators out there.

[Alberto]

Andy Gray's knowledge of the laws is atrocious, always has been. It's compounded by the fact he thinks he knows what he's talking about.

As most English referees will attest, he's one of the worst commentators out there.


He was also extremely insulting of Henry. He made a comment that Thierry would have to do better than the failed attempt to chip the keeper. This is from a Scottish player. Last I looked Scottish players are notoriously bad finishers and Gray scored only 7 goals in 20 matches for the Scottish National Team.

I truly believe he sounds like one of those bad former wrestling announcers on the wrestling programs on US TV. Total rubbish you are Mr. Gray. He makes Tommie Smyth sound like Martin Tyler.

[Emmet Kipengwe]

This is the ESPN way, isn't it?
Loud, bombastic, sometimes wrong but never in doubt?

I had never heard him before in his native land, but he fits right in with what ESPN looks for.

[todler]

He was starting to get on my ...... nerves.

"I think ... the rule may be, but I think ..."

No Andy, the rule IS the rule.

It doesn't matter WHAT you believe, they are called the LAWS of the game.

[campton]

Everyone Email ESPN, get me in the booth with the LOTG book. I'll do it for free if they send me to the events.

[Alberto]

I really have to go back and emphasize his comments on Henry. He's criticizing Henry, in such a pompous manner, you need to do better than that attitude. What an idiot.

Let's compare the two

Andy Gray
National Team Caps 20, goals (7)
Senior club matches 464, goals (162)

Thierry Henry
National Team Caps 101, goals (45)
Senior club matches 410, goals (209)

Andy a review of your record shows 46 of your goals were scored while playing for Dundee United. The Scottish league ain't the Premiership or even the French Championade.

[colins1993]

This is the ESPN way, isn't it?
Loud, bombastic, sometimes wrong but never in doubt?

I had never heard him before in his native land, but he fits right in with what ESPN looks for.

I have heard him before numerous times on Sky and he sounds totally different now in the ESPN studios.

I wonder if the ESPN suits told him to "ham it up" a bit???

[PVancouver]

The LOTG leave a lot to the imagination.

[Caesar]

The LOTG leave a lot to the imagination.
Give me a break. Andy Gray is an uneducated numbnut whose specialty is seeming like he knows what he's talking about.

Watching him commentate is painful - he does more to propagate myths about the LOTG than any other public figure.

[Alberto]

Give me a break. Andy Gray is an uneducated numbnut whose specialty is seeming like he knows what he's talking about.

Watching him commentate is painful - he does more to propagate myths about the LOTG than any other public figure.


Agreed, but Julie Foudy is giving him a run for the money from the distaff side.

[wyly]

you don't have to be a ref to understand the difference between ball-hand and hand-ball pretty basic stuff, Foudy and Grey really are an embarassment.

here's a sample of commentary from German commentator Steffan Simon on the disputed RVN goal

"But the very instant when the broadcasting station cut from the insecurely celebrating Dutchmen to the first replay, Simon immediately and without any form of hesitation said (I paraphrase): 'Panucci is lying out of bounds but he is not out of the game. He's playing Van Nistelrooy onside. The goal must stand, correct decision."

the entire article http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=545413&root=euro2008&&cc=5901

[Tarheel Ref]

He was starting to get on my ...... nerves.

"I think ... the rule may be, but I think ..."

No Andy, the rule IS the rule.

It doesn't matter WHAT you believe, they are called the LAWS of the game.

I think my favorite moment was when he (I believe) was asked about the Dutch team's chances going forward. He's facing a situation for which a decision has to be made (anybody here know that feeling?) His response is somewhere along the lines of a verbal "deer in the headlights." I mean, really, can't the guy just make a decision about something on his own? Apparently not.....it wouldn't have even had to be correct, he was just asked to issue a decisive opinion one way or the other and failed miserably :rolleyes:.

[Tarheel Ref]

you don't have to be a ref to understand the difference between ball-hand and hand-ball pretty basic stuff, Foudy and Grey really are an embarassment.

here's a sample of commentary from German commentator Steffan Simon on the disputed RVN goal

"But the very instant when the broadcasting station cut from the insecurely celebrating Dutchmen to the first replay, Simon immediately and without any form of hesitation said (I paraphrase): 'Panucci is lying out of bounds but he is not out of the game. He's playing Van Nistelrooy onside. The goal must stand, correct decision."

the entire article http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=545413&root=euro2008&&cc=5901


Wyly if you could've found this at about page 2 or 3 or that other thread I think you'd have been a hero to many.....

[PVancouver]

Great. One classless, arrogant commentator, out of how many commentators, got the call right. Terrific.

[gosellit]

Great. One classless, arrogant commentator, out of how many commentators, go the call right. Terrific.

So, know you are an expert on German commentators.

If you are, and know for a fact that this commentator is classless and arrogant, disregard the previous comment.