the onfield 'action' or Bobby Hassell's monotone misguided analysis of it. I know they do not have the benefit of replays or a monitor but the number of times we won a foul (which was not that often) he said "we were lucky with that I didn't think it was a foul" and on one occasion he thought the foul should have been awarded to Wigan! He surpassed himself with the "50/50 ball " comment when Ludewig was cleaned out! I thought he was summarising for radio Wigan at one point. He may be a good servant of the club but Pleeeeze!! keep him away from the microphones. Positives for what they were, albeit completely overshadowed by the probability, without a miracle that yesterday's result means relegation.... Clean sheet, Mads and Solly, kept a clean sheet and both had excellent games against an expensive experienced opposition (albeit one seriously underperforming. As an aside, Many of our, young inexperienced team have potential and WILL improve whilst Wigan's 'stars' have probably peaked. They created clear cut chances on a few occasions (unfortunately negated by woeful finishing). For once, you can't say final ball also let us down because on at least two occasions some neat interplay and passing resulted in clear cut nailed on chances that should have been converted. The two youngsters showed promise and potential but their experience, or rather lack of, was really exposed by the seasoned professionals they were up against. The bad...….the delivery of freekicks and corners!! 'Putting on the Ritz' (although for the first 30 minutes he put himself about and had a lot of play) was a big mistake especially letting him take control of dead ball situations as his delivery was woeful. Cauley was also woeful. You can make all the excuse you want about being played out of position but he couldn't find a red shirt on simple 5 yard passes and looked way off being a Division One player never mind a Championship one. Mowatt was almost as invisible. So.…. it looks like Division One next year. I, for one, will be following the matches on BBC sport text online and on the BBn but no longer subscribing to iFollow. This is NOT because I am a 'fair weather fan' or because it is an indictment on the squad (whoever stays, comes or goes) but ratherI not wasting good money on the woeful unreliable poor coverage I have received from iFollow (given that the 3 camera replay wont even be available in Div 1) although that is far less important than actually having a clear uninterrupted view!! Onwards and err...…..?
Is there actually that much coverage in League One on iFollow? I thought the Championship games brought a higher level of coverage?
I've noticed that you often have problems with iFollow coverage, I wonder if that is common for overseas subscribers, or if it depends on your broadband speed? I have said often enough that I rarely have a problem with signing in and, once in, with the coverage. It's pretty seamless for me via a Virgin cable connection. I agree with you about Bobby's co-commentary yesterday. It was pretty dire to be honest, constantly giving the dirty Wigan players the benefit of the doubt. His assessment of the assault on Ludewig was appalling! Granted he may not have had access to replays and such but even at first sight, in real time, it was a vicious attack on our player. I winced the first time and replays show that he was lucky he didn't suffer a broken neck. What is most galling though is the usual "Who me ref?", arms stretched out in total innocence. Footballers just make me sick sometimes and this was a prime example of the worst behaviour.
I prefer a commentator trying to be fair, rather than totally biased towards the team that they support. I cringe at commentary during England matches for example.
I thought his comments were largely complementary towards Wigan and rarely so towards Barnsley. I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn't listening to Wigan's commentary by accident.....
I disagree, i think he does a good job and like to hear his analysis. He knows alot of the players strengths and weaknesses so therefore it offers a little bit more of an insight sometimes. Wev been rubbish recently, I wouldn't have had a problem if he'd said that. Unbiased, club legend..... Get Bobby in the dugout!
Opinions... For me ... Bobby does a great job... Knows his stuff... Calls it as he sees it.... You could hear the frustration in his voice yesterday... Reckon should Struber vacate the hot seat Bobby should be next in line to fill it...
He got the first half tackle wrong but suspect that was because they didn’t see replays. What he got right was criticism of - lack of width - lack of determination and will to win - lack of aggression - very poor delivery of set pieces
Not disputing for one minute that BH knows his stuff and a lot of his analysis re width or lack of etc. was spot on. He does, however, need to deliver 'his lines' in a less downbeat manner and he did seem to reserve his most favourable comments for the opposition. After all, football, as a spectator sport, IS supposed to be about entertainment. 10 minutes of Bobby left me feeling more depressed by the minute. I KNOW that you can't and shouldn't 'gloss over' the shortcomings on the pitch but commenting on the good stuff now and again (and there was some) does at least provide a balance. I agree, based on his analysis, he should be more influential in the running of the 1st team BUT if he is as negative sounding when putting his points across I suspect his man motivation skills might need some work.
I got the impression he was rooting for the younger players, he let out a few "goods" when Simoes had the ball for eg Commentating and coaching are two different skills though.
He's a barnsley fan who was thoroughly depressed that we were playing a must win game with no urgency, tactics that were shameful and that our manager had got it completely wrong. It's very hard to motivate yourself to be cheerful when that's happening
I like having Bobby as a co-commentator, particularly for his insights into the younger players. Surely the lack of a replay could easily be resolved with a few extra wires and a feed with the live stream? Or at the very least setting up a laptop besides them with iFollow on (granted it will be a couple of minutes behind).
I think he was as frustrated with the tactics as I was and that's why he sounded downbeat. There was very little to enthuse about and for a must win game we were totally inept and for that I blame the manager. He should have put his favoritism to one side and played Halme up front with Odour and Thomas down the flanks. At least show a bit of intent especially when they went down to 10 men. Sticking Schmidt on is akin to throwing the towel in.
Bobby - got the passion - but the guy can’t talk. No one should be commentating who says things like ........ we need to up our game in the final FERD of the pitch. Watching the match was frustrating enough - made even worse listening to him.
