The punditry world cup BBC v ITV

Whilst all manner of incredible action unfolds up and down Germany, in two distinct camps, ITV and the BBC are fighting to bring the best world cup coverage to the potentially massive audience. Unfortunately, as in a game of football, when it comes to the big games, some people just don't perform. Whilst others flourish under the pressure, and regardless of the end result can come out of the game with their head held high.

Both ITV and the BBC have recruited teams of pundits to cover this, the greatest sporting event in the world, so lets do some head to heads, and see who comes out on top.

Ally McCoist v Alan Hansen

The captains of each side, both former Scottish internationals, though in terms of punditry, that is where the comparisons end. Whilst Hansen, a mainstay of BBC football for over a decade, is confident and articulate, Ally relies on jokes and half baked tactical analysis to get him through the day. Hansens role in this competition is a spearhead role, and you can often find him conducting the conversation between the panel, bringing in other members of the team, and stepping in should there be a moment of silence. McCoist on othe hand offers no such role, and whilst I have him down here as ITV captain, he is certainly not a captain in the Bobby Moore sense of the word.

Andy Townsend v Ian Wright

Andy Townsend, after a career which included a stint at Aston Villa (poor chap), is the other dominant figure on the ITV team. In the past he has been seen to give a more tactical view than McCoist, and this has been true in this competition too. Whilst he is an experienced broadcaster, and a respecter former player, I find his analysis to be lacking at times, and this is not helped by the people he has around. He is certainly the strongest member of team ITV. Ian Wright on the other hand is less concerned with the intellectual side of the game, and instead offers a fans view of proceedings. His contribution is only of any real value when England are playing, as his thoughts, I think often echo those of the average football fan, and like the rest of us, Wrighty isn't afraid to get stuck it to the players if things aren't going well.

Sam Allardyce v Martin O'Neill

This is a battle of the wannabe England managers, and one which in truth is something of a mismatch. I have to say that I was glad big Sam was overlooked for the England job, only because I couldn't have listened to his horrid accent at every post-match interview. He really doesn't bring a lot to the table, states the obvious and is not a strong member of the ITV team. Nartin O'Neill on the other-hand, I like. He, alongside Hansen forms a strong partnership, and is a mature footballing man who knows his stuff, and is articulate and confident on screen.

Leonardo v JayJay Okocha

If this were a boxing match ITV would throw the towel in on this one. I applaud their efforts to bring in an African footballer to offer a perspective on the African sides in the competition, but the man is embarrassing to watch. He stutters, mumbles, and were it not for his cheeky smile, I'd be throwing stuff at the screen. Leonardo on the other hand is the find of the tournament. His spoken English is excellent, and whilst he does not offer the same tactical awareness as his older collegues, he is a man who is clearly passionate about the game, and intelligent enough to talk about it with authority. His interview with Scholari was a particularly good one, and I would not be surprised if he has a role in BBC sport after the world cup.

Lee Dixon v Stuart Pearce

The battle of the full-backs. This is a close one. Dixon, a regular guest on Score i and MOTD2, is solid but unspectacular. Pearce, clearly now becoming a fine manager, lacks the passion in his on screen performance that he showed on the pitch. These pair have limited roles in their teams, and that may be because they offer nothing new.

Ruud Hullit V Marcel Desailly

An arrogant man on the football pitch, Hullit continues that form off it, and is, in my opinion a poor choice for ITV. His constant whining about the coverage of the '66 final is irritating, and he is dispassionate and uninteresting. Desailly, when not cramming Ghana into every other sentance is fine, nothing amazing on offer, but his allegiance to both France and Ghana offers an interesting slant, and he is clearly very passionate when it comes to football. It is also nice to have a Frenchman on hand to mock when their team are under-performing.

The Studios

This, like the Leo Vs Okocha draw is an unfair one. Whilst the BBC, benefiting from its 'unique funding' has a splendid studio complex next to the Brandenburg gate, the ITV team is usually crammed into a press box at whatever stadium happens to be hosting that days game.

Post match reaction

So, the BBC wins by a large margin. Perhaps not surprising given its long-standing position as the best sports broadcaster in the UK. Now if only we can get a bit more football on terrestrial TV the battle will be half won. Here's to a fantastic second half of the world cup, and a few more England victories.

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