Football Daily - The Commentators’ View: Emotional times & top top top…

Episode Date: April 18, 2025

It's a full house as Ali Bruce-Ball returns with John Murray & Ian Dennis. Ali gives a behind the scenes insight to Masters golf commentary at Augusta. What about Arsenal beating Real Madrid and making it through to the Champions League semi-finals? Will John bounce back in Clash of the Commentators? And we need your help when it comes to the Great Glossary of Football Commentary! E-mail: [e-mail] Voicenotes on WhatsApp to: 08000 289 36902:40 Ali is back from seeing McIlroy make history 11:50 Getting emotional on commentary 16:00 Arsenal progress to Champions League semi-finals 21:45 Will Forest get ‘swallowed up’ in race for UCL? 27:05 Liverpool could win title this weekend 30:00 Clash of the Commentators 38:05 Great Glossary of Football Commentary 51:45 More football lookalikesBBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries this weekend: Sat 1230 Arsenal women v Lyon in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Sat 1500 Everton v Man City in the Premier League, Sat 1730 Aston Villa v Newcastle in the Premier League, Sun 1400 Ipswich v Ipswich in the Premier League, Sun 1400 Man Utd v Wolves on Radio 5 Sports Extra, Sun 1400 Fulham v Chelsea on BBC Sport website, Sun 1630 Leicester v Liverpool in the Premier League.

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. This week we'll delve into the truth about Red Bull's so-called crisis talks. Is it a load of bull? And we look ahead to Saudi Arabia. He's really good. He's going to win it. Don't worry about that. Experience F1 like never before by tuning into the Inside Track, wherever you get your podcasts. BBC Sounds music radio podcast. The commentators view with Alistair Bruce Ball, John Murray and Ian Dennis on the football daily. Hello, this is the commentators view. I'm John Murray and this is where we take you on our journey as five live commentators.

And this week we have live from Madrid our senior football reporter Ian Dennis and just back from Augusta but more importantly back from his one-match ban for mishandling the Clash of the Commentators quiz a fortnight ago it's Ali Bruce Ball welcome back! Thanks. So you still not let that go quite then? Yet. Let it go? I mean it's a matter of fact. Yeah. I mean I've messaged you privately about this. I mean the results stand, whatever happens the results stand. I feel we actually should have gone into a sudden death penalty shoot out there

with you two just taking it in turns to rattle off Manchester United number nines. But the result is in the books. And I think once the results in the books, you just have to accept it, John. Because it's like you're surrounding the referee, you're hectoring officials, and you're trying to get the result changed. That's not gonna happen.

Yeah, anyway, for anyone who's listening to this edition of the podcast and didn't listen to Fortnite ago, that is not Cantona Gate. And if you go back a fortnight ago you'll be able to listen to that on BBC sounds and you'll be able to make up your own mind anyway can I just say John so you say on that what I really enjoyed was your promotion of that particular podcast on social media where you said if you're not a fan of grave injustices then don't listen to this. Good, I'm pleased you enjoyed that.

Right, Phil in West Sussex, who last week called Denno, as he called him, the goat, says, so this is from Phil, assuming he's returned from another holiday, another in capitals, then ABB has to be ostracized. A holiday in gorgeous Georgia, sunshine, sand, lush green perfectly manicured lawns,

beautiful flowers and surroundings. This while John was being given near royalty Parisian critical care in hospital and Deno having to enjoy more pies do not let abb suggest he's been working winky emoji best wishes phil and hovalbian shoram by c west sussex but of course ali you've been hard at it yeah i mean we are, I always feel incredibly fortunate to be over there and watching that live. I mean, none more so than this year just gone. I knew we'd talk about this this morning and I'm actually finding it quite difficult even now.

I thought you were going to start crying, are you? Well, I was going to talk about that as well, but because yeah, there were a few lumps in throats as Rory McIlroy went through the celebrations on the 18th green. But lots of people have obviously got in touch since getting back and asking what it was like and I just keep coming up with, you know, the trite, amazing, incredible, dramatic and I can't really find the words to do it justice. I think all I would say was it was utterly gripping. Every great sport on the radio needs a great narrative to start with.

And Rory McIlroy trying to win the Masters and complete the career Grand Slam is exactly that, given his personality as well and how fond everyone is of him. Then you need the sport to be dramatic and goodness me, McIlroy, he'd won it, then he'd lost it, then he'd won it, then he'd lost it and we were toing and froing. So he put absolutely everyone through the wringer. And then our job is just to try and paint the pictures, isn't it? That is the job of the radio commentator, to try and describe it. The one thing I'd really, really like to say, and it'd be great to get Ian Carter on this

podcast at some point, is I think his commentary of the winning moment. I mean, there was so much drama throughout the day but as a piece of radio commentary and I mean radio in particular I thought was absolutely brilliant. This for the career Grand Slam two and a half three feet and here he is the man in the grey blue shirt and the light trousers the white cap McElroy for the Grand slam sends it forward. He's done it! And he sinks to his knees and he shakes and he convulses. At last, at very very long last, Rory McElroy is the master and he is sobbing with delight and relief and he looks to the skies and he roars and then he hugs his caddy Harry Diamond and the emotion comes pouring out.

Ian always does these brilliantly and you guys well know because you've done winning goals in cup finals and trophy lifts and relegations and promotions and big moments and you obviously want to get the detail in, you want to get you know the facts in and the sort of historical context in and I think that is quite important but I actually think what Ian did in that bit of commentary is he just painted the picture, he just described what he could see which was McElroy falling to his knees, as Ian said convulsing, that was such a good word, convulsing with emotion, and it told you everything you needed to know about the pressure that McElroy has been under trying

to win that golf tournament. And it just put the listener in his seat. I just thought it was a brilliant bit of radio commentary. Well, Buenos dias from Spain, and you're absolutely right because I was listening to the coverage but watching the pictures and everything that I was watching with my eyes on the TV, Ian was describing, it was perfect. But where were you, Ali, at that point?

By the time McElroy won, I was in the back of the commentary box. So I was back with the Five Live team, but I wasn't on air. So I was actually doing what you were doing. I was watching pictures but standing right next to Ian and Mark Chapman and Trish Johnson and Kat Downs and just listening to them describing it. And actually thinking in a way, I'm quite glad they're doing this and I can just stand back and enjoy it. But the other thing Ian was, I'd finished my commentary stint on the

15th green, 15th green, 16th tee, and I was walking back up the golf course. One of the great things about Augusta is no phones, no big screens, no radios, there is no way you can stay in touch with the golf unless you can actually see the golf, which at times is slightly frustrating, but as I was walking past the 17th, I heard McElroy hit his second shot, I just heard the clip of club on ball saw this little white thing sort of flying off into the distance, massive roar, so it's obviously landed on the green, but I can't see any of that, but I

just know that McElroy's hit a good shot and then I'm walking up the 18th thinking right, I want a roar, I want a roar, because if I hear a roar then I know McElroy's made the birdie and he's won in front and it wouldn't come and it wouldn't come and I was thinking he's taking an age over this putt and I was almost off the golf course and suddenly there was this massive roar, came thundering up the 18th and I didn't even need to see a leaderboard and I knew that he'd made the birdie and I just think there's something incredibly dramatic about experiencing sport that way and it's a bit like sport on the radio which

I always think has a huge advantage in that sense. Kelly Cates messaged me on the night she was on a train back from whatever football game she'd been covering and was listening on the radio and because you can't see the pictures because you're totally in the hands of the radio commentator. It just adds a level of drama that's not there if you watch it. So actually being on the golf course is like listening to it on the radio. Well I've also got a question because John Cross, who I've spent a lot of time with out here in Spain, the the chief football writer for the Daily Mirror, was listening to your coverage as well. He said why did the

guys whisper? And I said well I, they're close to the action. But who was it that once got told off for talking too loudly? Didn't John Inverdale once get told to zip it by Tiger Woods? That was it, John Inverdale. I've had that a couple of times where I remember commentating at St Andrews, which is a difficult golf course to commentate on because everything is so close together and there are shared greens so you've got two matches effectively on the same green at the same time and I remember commentating on Jose Maria Olathabel who was in contention for an Open One year and

shouting at the top of my voice as he was sort of making a crucial putt and then without realizing there was another group on the green behind me and I didn't get told off by the golfers it was literally everyone in the stands who almost gave it a collective shh like but when you've got the headphones on you don't quite you don't quite you don't quite realize John do you how loud your voice is and actually how far it it carries on a golf course where the wind particularly at the open where the wind is is actually quite important because the wind really carries your voice. So if you've got the wind behind, then you've got to be extra careful and make sure you're even further away because you're just conscious

that people can hear if a strong wind is behind. But is it different then covering the Masters at Augusta to say the opening of St Andrews? Massively, Ali. One of the differences, Ian, at the Masters, you say the Masters, I say the Masters, you're probably right, is that we're in fixed commentary positions. So at the open, as John says, you're walking with the groups and you can adjust where you stand depending on view, conditions, wind, don't get in people's way, whatever. At the Masters you are in one spot.

You cannot move, you're at the back of a grandstand, which for the commentary position I was in on the Sunday, for the 15th green, is lovely because you're right next to it but you're far enough away to be able to talk at this level and actually when the crowd go up you can go up and you're not going to disturb anyone. But when you turn 180 degrees and then commentate on the sixteenth hole you are right above the golfers, I mean you're level with them but you're sort of twenty feet above them and as they're about to hit a tee shot everyone goes quiet

and your voice then has to drop until they've hit that shot and then you can lift the level again and we actually had a John you'll know Brian from our good friend Brian from Sirius Radio, he asked me to move positions on the Sunday because we normally stand next to him and apparently Andrew McGee and I got so over excited about Rory McElroy's Eagle on the Saturday that our commentary came booming all over the United States on Sirius Radio and Brian said I cannot have you standing there tonight if this goes off so I had to move down I had to move down a position so brilliant Ali and and and

everyone and like you Ian I was absolutely gripped by it and as I mentioned on the radio the other night you know do bear in mind now I presume on BBC sounds that people can go back and listen to that again so if you go in to BBC sounds find the stations and schedules and on five live, go back to Sunday, 7.30 wasn't it that the coverage started. You know, people can listen, listen back to it and enjoy it all over again. So I would heartily recommend that.

And indeed the program that was on at seven o'clock on Monday. And we will move on to football very shortly. We will have the great glossary of football commentary and and indeed the next edition of clash of the commentators but you can get in touch we love your voice notes the number for that is 08000 289 369 and all emails from wherever you are in the world to tcv at bbc.co.uk. And that is what Matt did. And Matt says, Ali, off the back of what you mentioned there,

keen to know whether any of you have ever had a lump in your throats commentating on football after Mark Chapman announced the majority of the commentary team in Augusta were choking up when Rory put the final put into the hole. In fact Ian Maul lost it on that program on the Monday night. Yeah he did and then got sent a very amusing text by his wife, Sarah, who just said pull yourself together, which in which he read out in the show. But you know what I think, so Mark Chapman, Hare Chapman as he's known on this

podcast, definitely had a lump in his throat. Ian, I think in the moment of commentary, you can just about hear it, but it was very much the next day when it hit him and he started reflecting on it. And I was, I was emotional standing at the back of the commentary box watching that. I mean, I don't remember, the famous one of course I was think of when we talk about this is Murray Walker when Nigel Mansell won the Formula One World Championship when he actually says, I've got a lump in my throat, I'm going to have to stop now, doesn't he? And Damon Hill exits the chicane and wins the Japanese Grand Prix and I've got to stop because I've got a lump in my throat.

One I've just thought of, and I definitely don't want to set anyone off this morning actually, but was being at Watford on the day they paid tribute to Graham Taylor. And I was covering that for Five Live that day. And obviously we all knew Graham extremely well and worked with him and loved him. He was a great friend. And actually I was really worried about that that day. And I sort of just really tried to concentrate on just describe, describe and don't think about, you know, try not to picture Graham too much, which is almost impossible to do, but just sort of do the job.

And then what actually got me there was a hand back to Mark Chapman who simply said, because he heard the ovation the Watford fans were giving him and he said, they loved him and he loved them. And luckily I'd stopped talking that got me and that got Ian because Ian then had to pick up and try and commentate and yeah and Ian had a lump in his throat and I've only just thought of that Ian I should have warned you I was going to say that but but that that's that's an example the other one I would think of summarizer wise was some had just gone at the Olympics Victoria Pendleton when Great Britain's women won the team sprint gold in the velodrome and Victoria was very emotional about that which nearly got me going as well.

But I do think the listeners, if it's genuine emotion, I think the listeners love that and that was genuine for Victoria. That was something she'd never been able to do. The team was, you know, it didn't quite work for her in the team events and she was overcome being in an arena that she competed in before and it was you know it was genuine and it just made you feel like you were there. Whenever you have those anniversaries and actually last Sunday described Anfield on the, which the, the, the Hillsborough

disaster and whenever you have something like that, I think that's always quite emotional. Um, but I also remember in terms of summarizers at the UEFA Cup final, when Celtic lost the UEFA Cup final in Seville, we had Billy McNeil working alongside us. So, uh, I was doing the commentary with Roddy Forsythe and Billy McNeil. And if you remember how that game went Celtic to this day, feel that Jose Mourinho Porto side used all the tricks in

the book and that they felt they'd been done there really I think. And I remember just commentating away in the latter part of that match and turning to Billy McNeil and he was in tears. He had tears running down his cheeks. And I remember thinking, wow, gosh, you know, that really brought it home to me that a figure like that, you know, a legendary figure for Celtic football club felt it so much that it brought that emotion out in him. Anyway, Ian, you are probably a little tired and emotional yourself, aren't you, this morning, because you are Because you are fresh from the small matter of Real Madrid Arsenal.

Poco cansada. Wow. She's a little tired. Poco cansada, senor. That's good. That's good. Yes, the small matter of Arsenal knocking out the European champions. I've got to say, over the two legs thoroughly deserved and sets

up a mouth, water and tie against Paris Saint-Germain. We know the first leg will be in North London, the return obviously a week later in Paris. More pastries for you to, and hopefully avoid the hospital on this occasion when you're back in France. That's a very good point, that's what I'll be trying to do. Don't worry about that. And actually Aston Villa provided us with French fancies the other night, believe it or not. They did at half time. And I, I think that was a big part in the change of everything at Villa Park.

It lifted the mood. The French fancies. Hang on, hang on, hang on. French fans had the French fans. But do you mean a fondant fancy? Do you mean those little? They actually brought, yeah, they brought, they brought, it was a mixture of fondant fancies and chocolate eclairs. They wheeled them out at half time. So I had a little, it was like a half size chocolate eclair.

It's lovely. It's absolutely delicious. Some second half though, John, you're right. Yes, it was. And actually for all of the talk in Madrid about Remontada, it was more relevant, wasn't it, to PSG and Aston Villa because the original Remontada in 2017 was Unai Emery and Luis Enrique.

Yes. And I've done my research. And Real Madrid, six times in their history, had produced such a comeback from when they've been either three goals down or more and on all six occasions they've won the second leg and I was expecting a lot more jeopardy in that second leg than we actually witnessed but I think that is down to credit Arsenal the way of their game management and also the performance of Declan Rice and the maturity that they showed because

they controlled and they actually set their agenda, they set their own narrative and Declan Rice I thought was absolutely superb. He was majestic. I was actually accused on social media of being posh because I use the word ubiquitous. Posh? Yes, posh. I use the word ubiquitous and I know that John in particular will have called me many things but the one thing that you'll have never called me is posh. Well that word gets everywhere though doesn't it? Strangely all does not look well with them does it Real Madrid? No it doesn't. You know that front three that were sensational

were powder puff weren't they? Yeah, yeah. Can I ask you both a really quick question? So Saka took the penalty in that game, Ian went for the Penenka and Courtois managed to grab it and I also saw Eberrich Eze's penalty. Have you seen that one, John? Yes, I have, yeah. I mean, that was dreadful.

It was. And so my question is, they're professional players, they're trying to win games of football, and surely you take the penalty that you think gives you the best chance of scoring. And a well taken Pinenka, we've seen them done brilliantly, haven't we? You think of Pirlo against England at the Euros, you think of Cole Palmer, you know, last season, etc. But I mean, Eze's penalty, he rolls it because Pope doesn't bite, he just stands there and he waits and he waits and he waits and at that point Eze just basically passes it back to him. But I just think is that really giving you the best chance

of scoring? I'm not saying every penalty needs to be smashed, Shearer styling to the top corner, but I don't know, I think sometimes they're just trying to be too clever and maybe even thinking, oh, this is going to look amazing if this goes in. People are going to love this. I think they're great when they come off, but then you can look a fool when it doesn't come off. Just go for power, you know, work the keeper.

But anyway, Villa Park on a night like that, the noise honestly in there is absolutely amazing. And I heard, I actually heard back the commentary on the consical, the third goal the other night. And I think for our engineers, our outside broadcast engineers, I think going there is probably the sort of challenge that they absolutely love to try and get the balance of the sound right. And Tanya, who was there the other night, I thought, goodness me, that's brilliantly mixed because either in my ears, it's so, so loud. And yet what came out over the radio was

just exactly how you would want it to sound. That's the only downside about the Bernabéu. I mean, it's a fantastic stadium. I agree with you. You're in a cabin. You're behind glass. I wish we were outside there. And there are the benches just in front of us

Where the where the press sit and yet the radio broadcasters are in that level behind and I'm like you Ian I always think I wish we were sitting just there Yeah, although I've got to say Martha Maddie and Patricia at Real Madrid Did they look at they look at They looked after us superbly. Did you- Spanish pies? Did you take any treats for them? I took them a box of chocolates each year. Did you? Yeah, because- What sort?

Milk tray? No, it was- What sort were they? A Spanish brand. A Spanish brand? I didn't take the chocolates from England. I traveled light, but I went to a supermarket and bought three boxes of chocolates. You might have taken some Black Magic or milk tray. Shoker and such. England I traveled light but I went I went to a supermarket and bought three boxes of chocolates.

Black magic or milk tray? I wasn't dressed I didn't deliver them through a window I wasn't dressed like the man from milk tray and come swinging through the curtains. Thank goodness from their point of view that you didn't do that that would have given them a bit of a shock if you'd burst in through the curtains anyway that was the champion's through the curtains you'd have been hospital again but we had some late winners didn't we in the Premier League last weekend in your match the the gripping thriller that was Nottingham Forest against Everton? Yeah, Forest I think are going to get swallowed up.

I don't think they're going to qualify for the Champions League. I know now that it's the top five but Newcastle are on a real run of form. Forest were really, really flat. Everton did a job on them. That was a deserved win for Everton. Dakore popping up in the 94th minute. But now all of a sudden, Forest have been there for so long and they've had a remarkable season. I think are looking over their shoulders and I think you're gonna have Aston Villa you've got Chelsea Manchester City that they run that they run the risk of just dropping out of the top five just at the

wrong moment I just think that teams have possibly worked them out now because they like to play on the counter-attack and I think if you if you sit off them and let Forrest come on to you you can try and pick them off. Don't get me wrong if they finish top six if they if they finish top seven and still get into Europe they've had a remarkable season but I just wonder because they've been in the top four for so long whether it would still be tinge with a little bit of disappointment that they haven't got Champions League football if that of course materializes. Yes you've covered yourself very nicely there with Nottingham Forest supporters, well done.

Also, last weekend, listener Jack was tuned in to the Chelsea Ipswich commentary, which was on 5 Sports Extra, and he heard this from Chris Wise. Sancho curls it! Oh, what a screamer from Jayden Sancho! That is unbelievably good. Sancho's collected the ball on the edge of the box and he has put that right in the top corner where the owl sleeps as they say in some countries. Sensational from Jayden Sancho.

He's gone for a worthy house leap. Very good. Well done to Chris for that. So we'll have more items for the glossary a little later on. But this weekend we have on Five Live a whole range of commentaries for you. Saturday 12.30 we have the Women's Champions League semi-final first leg between Arsenal and Lyon so Ailey Barber and Tash Dawi are going to be there. Ian, Saturday 3 o'clock? Everton Manchester City from Goodison which may prove to be the final ever commentary from Goodison Park on 5 Live. Well

that's an event then. And Chris Sutton is going to be alongside you for that. And then immediately after that, 5.30, I will be back at Aston Villa. Probably no chocolate eclairs for the visit of Newcastle. And Pat Nevin is going to be with me for that commentary. Sunday, Ali, shock of shocks. Can we get a fanfare going? ["The Star-Spangled Banner"]

Alistair Bruce Ball will be doing a football commentary. It's been a while John, it's been a while. Yeah Portman Road, so from the fairways of Augusta to another spectacular sporting venue for me. Do you think you'll be able to remember what to do? Yeah I think I might be a little bit rusty, you know, first 10 minutes I might be a little bit off the pace. That's Ipswich Arsenal, so that's our five live commentary at two o'clock on Sunday. It links very quickly. Is Matthew Upson with you as well? Yeah, Mr Upson. Not seen him for a while, so I'm looking

forward to seeing him. I don't think it's any secret to a lot of our listeners that I grew up as an Ipswich town fan. You're actually wearing Ipswich town colours this morning. I'm wearing the royal blue. But I have absolutely, and I hope the listeners would agree with this, I have absolutely no problem in commentating on Ipswich fairly and impartially. You know, I sort of follow them from afar nowadays. They'll be the judge of that. Well, they will be. They will be. And if people have an issue, have a listen. But I mean, if Ipswich score a goal, I'll give it, you know, the same as's which score a goal. I'll give it. You know the same as if Arsenal score a goal

I do like going back to Portman Road because I went there as a kid I've not had to commentate on it such for 20 years because they've not been in the Premier League You know for 20 years, so so it's a while since I've done it, but but yes I you know there there is not a problem in me doing it switch town games It's also Matt's birthday on Good Friday, so feliz cumpleaños to Mr Ubson. Have you got another box of those Spanish chocolates I could take? I was annoyed at myself, I wanted to say happy birthday to him during the commentary and I forgot and I only realized that I'd forgotten in the taxi on the way back to the hotel.

So yeah, he turns 46. Does he? Does he? Was he in good behavior? He didn't have any salami incidents, did he, like in the Parc des Princes? No, he didn't. No. Good.

I'm pleased to hear that. So Matt will be with Ali at two o'clock on Sunday. At the same time on SportsXtra, you'll be able to hear commentary on Manchester United Wolves. And at the same time on the BBC sport website, we will have commentary on Fulham against Chelsea and then at half past four, it will be Leicester against Liverpool when Clinton Morrison will be alongside me. And of course, Ali, we have the scenario on Sunday where the title could be decided. Yeah so Liverpool will win the league this Sunday if Arsenal lose at Ipswich so Arsenal off the back of you know a fantastic

Champions League performance at Ipswich who ostensibly still have something to play for although that is a real long shot them getting out of trouble but if Arsenal lost to Ipswich then if Liverpool beat Leicester John that's it. Yep that would be it and I think we you know the fact is we know it's coming but I still you know the point where Liverpool become unassailable and I've confirmed that they will be champions then you know that is going to be a highly significant moment isn't it? There is a scenario and I know I think it was about three weeks ago we said that the Premier League probably the dullest that we've had for a long time but there is a scenario

that Liverpool could win the title this weekend and both the two remaining relegation places could be done and dusted too. And there we are in April and the title's wrapped up and the relegation positions are all settled. And when, I think we're now saying when aren't we, I mean if Liverpool don't win the title then blimey, but when they win it historically it's a really important one as well isn't it in terms of going level with Manchester United in terms of top flight titles won. Yep record equaling 20th title but obviously have great significance because they've only won it once since 1990. So, um, so yeah, when it happens, there will be great rejoicing.

And even now, I know from being at Anfield last Sunday afternoon, there was considerable relief when, when Virgil van Dyck scored the winning goal, uh, late on in the match against West Ham. So that is all to come up on Five Live over the course of this weekend and remember of course get out and watch live football and live sport if you can but there is nothing quite like listening to live football on the radio in our opinion. Are you aware very quickly, I know we're about to get on something else, are you aware that the next goal you commentate on will be your 100th goal in 2025? Are you across your stats? Is it? Did it? Fancy that. Good, let's hope that

fanfare is in place for that as well. In focus on the Football Daily every Saturday. Catch the biggest names from the Premier League and beyond, as they share all with nothing off limits. We are here to speak to Arsenal's Ricardo Calafiore. Ruben Amorim, welcome to the Football Daily. When I had this invitation, I felt that I had to do this. Rodri, that was incredible. Thank you for having me here. In Focus, only on the Football Daily.

Listen on BBC Sounds. Hello and welcome to the Inside Track, the Formula One podcast with exclusive access to Red Bull Racing. I'm broadcaster and Formula One fan Rick Edwards. And I'm sports journalist Matt Magendie. Each week we break down the latest F1 news, the backstage gossip and who's under pressure. This week we'll delve into the truth about Red Bull's so-called crisis talks. Is it a load of bull? And we look ahead to Saudi Arabia. He's really good. He's going to win it.

Don't worry about that. Experience F1 like never before by tuning into the inside track wherever you get your podcasts. The Commentators' View with Alistair Bruce Ball, John Murray and Ian Dennis on the Football Daily. Right, it is time, he says with a heavy heart, for Clash of the Commentators and following on from last week's exhibition match between Ian and Conor McNamara, which also had its element of controversy, when the subject was players with items of food in their names, we had an email in from Adam who says, I feel oddly compelled to say that Charlton have had a possibly surprising number of food related players over the years. Mark Fish, well done Ian for getting close, Mike Salmon, Scott Minto, Luke Berry and perhaps best of all the unconventional but effective striker Martin Pringle.

Cheers from Adam. And he says, I'm P.S. I'm glad John is okay following his Parisian hospital visit. Yes, I'm glad as well. That's brilliant from Adam. Would Jeff Pike have been allowed? I would have said yes.

I actually thought that during the week. And I thought James Perch as well was another one I thought might. I really enjoyed listening to last week's episode. That sort of category is right up my street. I love that. The one you missed though, which is the absolute classic, is Kevin Lasagna. You aware of Kevin Lasagna?

He was actually on the list. I was really hoping someone was going to say Kevin Lasagna. Yeah, it would have been disappointing in an Ian Dennis style if you'd been able to come up with Lasagna but not able to remember his first name. That would have been another Lasagna gate. It would. So the current leaderboard in Clash of the Commentators is Ali top of the table six points from eight that's very good Ali that's winning six out of eight that is very good less good Ian four from nine and me three from nine yes so this week it's Ali against John John an opportunity for

you not to be rooted to the bottom of the table all alone. So who's going to disconnect first? Shall I? You'll have the choice because you're still suffering from jet lag, which could affect your performance, I feel. OK, right, he's disconnected. So we're ready to go. Arsenal are through to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009.

John, I want you to name either any of the goal scorers from this year's campaign or any of the 2009 semi-final team that played a part over Two Legs vs Manchester United. So any of the Arsenal goal scorers from this season's Champions League or any of the 2009 Arsenal Semi-Final team to have played in either of the two legs versus Manchester United? Your time starts now. I feel like I'm missing someone from the currency. I've got to say you rattled through those goal scorers from this season's Champions League campaign. Just looking through though, that 2009 first leg against Manchester United, I can't see the name of Thierry Henry, but I think you've still posted a score that should be winnable. Anyway, Ali's back. Sure, I think he'll win this. Hello.

Hello. The big man is worried he's already saying he thinks you're gonna win this. Alright. Remember he's in a rough... I'm in a bad place. Yeah I might take an ESA style penalty here though. I'm in a bit of a South Hampton place in Clash of the Commentators. Just can't buy a win. Right well so Ali, Arsenal are through to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009. I want you to name either any of the goal scorers

from this year's campaign or any of the 2009 semi-final team that played a part over Two Legs versus Manchester United. So to repeat, any of the Arsenal goal scorers from this season's Champions League or any of the 2009 Arsenal semi-final side that played in those two legs against Manchester United? Your time starts now. Saka, Rice, Wennery, Havertz, Marino, Gabriel, Saliba, Trossard. Go back to 2009. Fabregas, Van Persie, Koshelny, Almunia, who else would have been in that team? Kleb, Rzitski, Wolcott, I don't know. What about other goalscorers this season who have I not mentioned in the awesome? Urda Gard. No now was Urda Gard just in before the 30 seconds finished?

Yes it was. Definitely in. Well I just got to check. You know what the big man's like but I think he knows he's got that resigned look on his face. I mean we'll wait for the, we'll wait for the, I think that that was, that was, there was no sign of jet lag there Ali. That was Declan Rice-esque. The scores are in. John 7, Ali Bruce Ball 12. Wow.

I think, do you know what? I don't know whether, I'm not suggesting a rule change here but if you were punished for wrong answers you wouldn't be able to chuck them out willy-nilly because my approach to this game is always scatter gun. Just keep chucking out names and hoping some hit. Whereas I bet John's more precise. You know a bit like John eats his dinner. Just very precise and measured. Yeah. I'll take it though. I'll take it. That's a resounding win 12-7. You could hear the groans in the background couldn't you from John who remains rooted to the bottom of the table. I don't think there's any coming back from that. Yeah of course there is. Of course there is John. Come on. Never give up. Scored in the Champions League for... I see I didn't even get Trulsard. Annoying. Calafiori scored in the Champions League. I see I didn't even get Trulsard.

annoying. Calafiori scored in the Champions League. Zinchenko scored in the Champions League. Those that you didn't mention as you say Timber, Calafiori, Zinchenko also from the first leg there was Sanya, Kola Tore, Silvestre, Gibbs, Wolcott, Fabregas, Song, Diaby, Nasri, Adebayor, not not Bednar and Eduardo were off the bench. Not Kevin or Sanya. And then in the second leg others Van Persie, Carlos Vela, uh Juru. Carlos Vela. Come on Carlos Vela. No one's saying Carlos Vela. No disrespect to Carlos. Yeah absolutely. Wherever you are now if you're listening to the TTV Carlos. Yeah. Very happy. Congratulations Ali anyway that was a good performance. Yeah, absolutely. Wherever you are now, if you're listening to the TCV, Carlos. Yeah. Very happy to have you. Congratulations, Ali, anyway. That was a good performance. Thank you. Yeah, well done. Just trying to build a lead because there will be a collapse

at some point. That was excellent, wasn't it? I hope you enjoyed the clash of the commentators. Can you say it with feeling? Lump in the throat moment there. Yeah, that was a lump in the throat moment. Sticking in the crawl moment. Yeah. So let's move on to the great glossary. So let's move on to the great... Shut up. So let's move on to the great glossary of football commentary with Ian and Chris Sutton on the Saturday three o'clock commentary, which of course involves and incorporates our world-beaten goal service from Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon. Ben

from Portugal says, do you spend time prior to games comparing notes with your summarizers or do you just develop a natural rapport with them over time? I specifically reference the best summarizer one-liner I've ever heard. I think it may have been this game. Monday the 8th of February 2021 Leeds versus Crystal Palace, 8 o'clock kickoff. In the 88th minute, Ian Dennis announces the substitution of injured Calvin Phillips. It'll be Shackleton who'll come on to replace him. Shackleton in from the cold.

But he's such an effective player for them. Reaching Islewall hope is nothing. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. I didn't hear that. That is very funny. I can picture the look on Chris's face. And Ben says, it's very funny. Ben says, I hope T.C.V. keeps going as due to rights restrictions, it is the only opportunity I have to listen to Ian and John's soothing voices from abroad and must be yours as well, Ali. That night Chris was in one of his,

you know, when he's most mischievous because he was just sort of like, he was trying to trip me up at every possibility. You know, Ali, you know him, what he's like. There was a number of times he was just trying to throw me a curve ball. Although I've got to say, one of the best responses for a summarizer was when I said to Steve Claridge, I came out with a line I said, I said, you're on the thinnest of thin ice,

to which Steve Claridge just replied, good job you're not. Having a reference about my weight. I also remember one of my favorites was with also with Steve Claridge and we were covered, I think it was Boa Vista who had a, who had a player called Alan. And, uh, and I was calling him Alan and, uh, and Steve said, why are you saying Alan? He said, my dad, my dad is called Alan. I don't call him Alan. But as I said to Steve, yes, but you're not Brazilian. As anyone who saw you play would know.

The other one I remember with Chris. Laughing at my own jokes. The other one I remember with Chris Sutton in was listening to a Liverpool-Saltsburg game with you and him together and Chris is obsessed with the sound of music so obviously Saltsburg being involved just meant he opened the playlist and was just rattling through song titles from the sound of music, some of which were hitting the target with you, some of which were just absolutely flying over your head but I could just hear he was having an absolute wail of a time just trying to get all the songs in he could.

Another personal Shackleton favourite, I remember covering Leeds United and this was when they were in the Premier League and they were being well beaten and Shackleton was brought on and I remember saying that Shackleton's coming on leads on the way to defeat here. Shackleton comes on. It's not the biggest challenge of Shackleton has ever had though, which I was quite pleased with. Anyway, Paul in Seven Oaks has put it forward as a suggestion for our great glossary of football commentary off the back of that email from Ben and this is where we build a collection of terms used mostly when calling and commentating on football matches with the help from listeners and Paul says I have a random piece of glossary I kind of like perhaps you can

discuss it's when a footballer is described as coming in from the cold or being back from the cold which I imagine a player being wheeled out from one of those huge walk-in fridges. Have you ever used the term? I'm assuming obviously it's associated for when a player has been frozen out of the team or squad for whatever reason then gets brought back into the fold squad team when it looked unlikely he would play for the club again like when David Beckham was banished by Fabio Capello but was subsequently brought back in from the cold due to poor results fan backlash and showing a professional attitude.

I like it but I don't think it's football specific because you know it could happen in other sports players getting brought in from the cold which is what you know we it's probably my fault this for sort of suggesting things have to be football specific to go in in our glossary because there's so many that miss out which which shouldn't miss out I do really like it as a a phrase in sporting commentary but I don't think that's just football. No I agree but don't forget when BBC publications decide to bring out a book about this you can have that idea that we suggested about one half of the terms that do make it and then in the second half you can have those that are more sort of like sports specific rather than just football.

Can I read Neil's suggestion out? One inclusion should be the term used when describing a very good footballer as a top top player, so the double top. I can't recall the term being used in any other sport to describe the better players as top top. For example, I haven't heard anyone called Dupont a top top rugby player or Djokovic being called a top top tennis player. Outside of sport no one gets called a top top at their profession. That would be odd, says Neil. So no one gets called a top top at their profession. That would be odd, says Neil. So what do we think about top top? Do we think that's football specific? Can that go in the glossary?

That has probably spread hasn't it to other sports. But I, who was I was hearing the other week who actually was given four tops as in the four tops. Whoever it was, he's a top top, top top player. And I think that's a record. I don't think I've heard more. And it was in a press conference and I was sitting there chuckling to myself that the manager had used the word top four times. Was it cold that particular day or night when you heard it?

I can't remember. Just thinking, was it sort of like three degrees? That's terrible. Would you use top top yourself? No, of course not. No, I know. No, I don't think so. But are we allowing it in the glossary?

But I could hear that say in the sport of darts, he's a top top player. Yeah, that's a very good point. And that's not because of the double top either. Double top. And actually Brendan Rogers at Liverpool once described Steven Gerrard as a top top top top top player.

Let's have a listen. And Steven's a top top top top top player. I think we should include it in the glossary Let's have a listen. And Steven's a top, top, top, top, top player. I think we should include it in the glossary with three tops. We are seeing all the work that all the staff is doing with Leni. He feels more at home in Carrington, in our club, so you can see that he's a top top top player. I think top top top player should be in the glossary. Why three tops? That wasn't the point that Neil had made.

No it's not. It's not. This is for us to judge on. But why does Neil's point get rejected and that you then say three tops is allowed? Because it's the kind of thing that people would say in football. But I don't think people do say top top top player. They say he's a top top player. Yes they do. Have you never listened to any football coverage? Why would they say top top top in football and not in darts? Why does suddenly top top top become footballs? Because football is ubiquitous. Stop being posh.

And also I think because there's so much talk about football, I think people who talk about football feel that they do have to use an extra top just to underline how top that player is. I'm with Ali here, I think if we're going to go, I personally think it gets rejected. I wouldn't allow it in as a top top player and I don't think we can say oh he's a top top top player because I don't think we can say he's a top top top player because I think that's just ridiculous. Good well we'll let the listeners decide on that. Ali what do you think?

Can we put that on hold? Can we put that on hold and see what the public think? Yeah that's a good idea John. So tcv at bbc.co.uk for a response to that. By the way just while you do the next one, would you excuse me for about 30 seconds? I just want to go and check my 16 year olds out of bed because as soon as this pod is finished, I have to go and catch a train at Salisbury train station. If he's not moving yet, we're not making it. So is he in the top top bunk? Also, we've had this voice note from Cameron in Newport in South Wales. Hi, gents.

Each week I listen to your podcast and I relate back the editions and the non editions of the glossary to my 88 year old granddad in the Lake District, who doesn't have access to listen to the podcast. And last week he put forward a suggestion of Daisy Cutter. Apparently it's a shot that is low and hard across the floor, And last week he put forward a suggestion of daisy cutter. Apparently it's a shot that is low and hard across the floor, almost powerful and low enough to skim the tops of the daisies. Something I haven't heard of before, but he's absolutely adamant it would take place and

pride in the great glossary of football and it is football only. So if you can suggest that for the glossary and it can receive approval from all three of you that would be to his delight. Loving the show gent, keep it up. Excellent, thank you Cameron and you must get back in touch and tell us what your granddad's name is because we'd love to give him a mention and that actually reminds me, I don't know whether any of you were listening this week, it was just before I was due to go on Radio 4 the other morning on the Today program and they've been doing a feature where they've been asking children to send in suggestions for I think their boot club or something and they ran a voice note and this little girl who must have been six or seven years old said hello

everyone on the Today program, you're my granddad's favourite. Which as long as a great line from. But what about that Daisy Cutter? I think yes. I think yes. You see when I do cricket commentary I think I might have used Daisy Cutter in cricket. Yeah, I think you might be right. Really? I think you might be right there. So, I would say Top Top, and I don't wish to be tough today, but Top Top is a no and Daisy Cutter is a no.

Wow, it's difficult. It's really difficult to get them in, isn't it? I do feel Top Top Top should be in. Anyway as I say suggestions to TCV at bbc.co.uk and voice notes to 08289369. Was he out of bed Ali? No he wasn't so that was a good move so he's moving now and he's gonna have to hurry up. And a couple of things before we finish we were talking earlier about Lester Liverpool in our Sunday 4.30 commentary on Five Live Terry in Bromley says while I'm enjoying the weekly delights of the glossary I found Phil McNulty's recent observations on the

creation of new words particularly interesting it prompted me to think of another variant in football vocabulary that of existing terms evolving into something else before our very eyes and ears. A current example of a phrase under thread is the traditional relegation zone, which is increasingly being referred to as the drop zone. Like Pat Nevin in his angst at transition, this gets me gnashing my teeth and I'm baffled at this sudden desire for change. There's no logic to it. After all, teams that do fail to avoid going down are still classed as being relegated, not dropped.

It's a modernization that should be avoided at all costs and I hope you all buck the trend and play your part in relegating the drop zone into obscurity. I think you've read that, John, as it was written. You sensed an annoyance there. Haven't you? You've delivered that. I think I've probably said it, but I think I actually agree with Terry there. I think it is relegation zone.

I mean, drop zone could even get in the glossary, even though Terry's furious about it, because do we use it anywhere else? But no, I agree with you, Terry. you're right, I will not do that again. Yeah I think I might have used it as well in the past. Feeling the draft of the drop zone. It's just a variety isn't it? It's a variety.

It is, yeah. But I wouldn't say they're going to get dropped out of the division. I agree with Terry, I do agree with him. It's a relegation. What about the relegation trapdoor? It's got a touch of Americanisation about it. And actually, relegation trapdoor is a very good one for the glossary, isn't it? No, I have used the trapdoor.

That is a good one. But it's a good one for the glossary. Yeah, it is a trapdoor. And that is football specific, isn't it? I can't think of relegation trapdoor in... The dreaded, actually the dreaded relegation trapdoor. Yeah, yeah. Let's finish with this

because it has been National Lookalike Day this week, which I know Ian, you got quite excited about. And Adam from Hull says, love the podcast. Thank you, Adam. I would like to put forward some football lookalikes for this week's commentators view. On a pop front, Paul Scholes and Jimmy Somerville of Bronski Beat have always looked alike. Not sure about that. And more recent to David Moyes, more

and more resembles the thin white Duke era David Bowie. I think David Moyes would be very pleased with that. That's not true at all. No, I mean, I'd need to look at my thin white Duke era David Bowie before I made a pronouncement on that. He also says Federico Chiesa looks exactly like Joe Thomas, who was Simon in the in between us another in between us look alike and Also, also Brad Friedle looks like Bruce Willis and he says there is a trifecta as well of Arna slot Michael Van Gerwen and Matt Lucas got in a lift in

Leipzig earlier this season with Paul Robinson and there was another chap in the lift and obviously I couldn't say out loud but I got such a good lookalike that I immediately got my phone out and I sent a little whatsapp to Paul Robinson which he answered in the lift and then got my lookalike and we were both able to sort of agree and have a little chuckle without the fellow being aware but it needed to be delivered at that time, it couldn't wait because I needed Paul to be able to see the guy as I sent the message. That reminds me, we used to play this game when we were on a train going into Leeds and there was one occasion where one of the lads turned around and said, I've got a great lookalike. Don't look over your shoulder immediately but it's Gonch Gardner from Grange Hill. So

eventually we all looked around, all burst out laughing. Turns out that it actually was Gonch Gardner, his grandma lived in Menston. Last one before we go then on National Lookalikes Day Adam in Gillingham, hi chaps I think this is a good one it came to me while listening to the Champions League game at Villa Park this week John McGinn and Kevin Bridges, says Adam. I can see that. Gotta say Kevin Bridges, very very funny comedian. But yeah, I can see that Adam, that will get my seal of approval. So that is it as we say, that's probably just about enough on Luca Likes but I know that

won't put you off. However we will accept your voice notes to 08000 289 369 and emails to tcv at bbc.co.uk. Ian, Ali have a very good week. Look forward to next week. Is anyone off? Are you on holiday next week Ali? Are you with us? I think I'm working next week actually. Yeah I know. Shock horror. So I'm looking forward to hearing from both of you then. Look forward to another Clash of the Commentators as well. And the next episode of The Football Daily will be in focus with Claude McAlely and Nadam Anoua. And remember you can catch every single episode

of The Commentator's View on the Football Daily Feed on BBC Sounds. Hasta luego. Hasta la vista, baby. It's the scandal that rocked rugby union to its core. The so-called Bloodgate scandal. Tom Williams now receiving attention. It seems so clear that this wasn't real blood.

It's out and out cheating. This is a story of lies and deception, conspiracies and cover-ups. There was terror that it could tear the house down. Courtroom drama and secret deals. So obviously a lie. And a human cost that changed lives and careers forever. Dee Richards is found guilty and banned for three years. I'm Ross Kemp and this is Sports Strangers Crimes, Bloodgate.

Listen on BBC Sounds. Hello and welcome to the Inside Track, the Formula One podcast with exclusive access to Red Bull Racing. I'm broadcaster and Formula One fan Rick Edwards. And I'm sports journalist Matt Magindy. Each week we break down the latest F1 news, the backstage gossip and who's under pressure. This week we'll delve into the truth about Red Bull's so-called crisis talks. Is it a

load of bull? And we look ahead to Saudi Arabia. He's really good. He's going to win it. Don't worry about that. Experience F1 like never before by tuning into the Inside Track, wherever you get your podcasts.