Twitter reacts to Hoddle, Savage and Darke commentary
BT Sport’s commentary team were in ‘inspired’ form during the Crystal Palace v West Brom game – we take a look at some of their best bits.
BT Sports have been making waves with their coverage of both the Premier League and Champions League – but it’s fair to say their various commentary teams have divided opinion.
On Saturday, Crystal Palace hosted West Brom in the early game – and we analyse Ian Darke, Glenn Hoddle and Robbie Savage’s work – as well as some of the best Twitter reaction.
Darke: “Crystal Palace can go third here today with a win – and it’s still only September.” (No, Ian, I think you’ll find it’s October 3.”
Ian darke has just said on national TV that it’s still September @btsportfootball
— Armchaireverton (@Armchaireverton) October 3, 2015
Hoddle: “This is like a throwback game – the pitch is 60 by 40 right now.”
“The pitch is 60 by 40 right now.” You’ve lost me there Glen Hoddle. — Tom Mason (@Mase159) October 3, 2015
Darke: “We’re told it is a hamstring injury – a left leg hamstring injury. That’s the information we’re getting from the touchline. Thank you for that information.” (A grateful Ian Darke reflects on Jonny Evans’ first-half substitution.
Darke: “Several years ago, Gayle was playing for Bishop’s Stortford – he’s come a long way. A former carpenter, you know.” (Darke’s clearly been reading notes on wikipedia ahead of the match.)
Savage: “It’s a foul, it’s a push, it’s a foul – he has to give it.” (Robbie reflects on a clash between Wilfried Zaha and Craig Dawson.)
Robbie Savage is actually making me want to turn this game off, makes me actually want to listen to Michael Owen #CRYWBA #btsport
— Jamie Sears (@thesummersanta) October 3, 2015
Hoddle: “He’s got to fizz that – he’s got to go top corner.” Savage: “Only Hoddle can say it’s got to go top corner (laughs).” (Sorry Robbie – are we missing something here?)
When you think it can’t get worse than an Owen/Hoddle co-comms combo, @btsport launch a Savage/Hoddle assault on your ear drums — Lord Nap (@Lord_Napier) October 3, 2015
Hoddle: “Palace have got to keep feeding the wingers. If they want to win this game, they must keep feeding them and get the ball to Zaha’s left side – his strong side” (Hoddle clearly believes Palace wingers Zaha and Bolasie are slightly on the skinny side – and also doesn’t know Zaha is actually right-footed.)
Also why is Glenn Hoddle convinced that Zaha is left footed? He’s right footed ya nonce
— Charlie Francis (@charlieNfrancis) October 3, 2015
Savage: “I don’t get this tactic. All they’re doing is smashing the ball up long. It doesn’t work. Stop hitting it long to Gayle.” (Long-ball tactics clearly don’t sit well with the pass-master of his day, Savage.) Hoddle: “Zaha is on fire to a certain point.” (?)
Wilfred Zaha is “on fire, up to a point”, according to Glenn Hoddle. Conjure up a few images, that. — Mike Fatkin (@mikefatkin) October 3, 2015
Hoddle: “He’s on fire up to a point…” That would be the point before he actually bursts into flames, I suppose…? #btsport #talkingBalls
— Tony (@TonyW11111) October 3, 2015
Hoddle: “It’s a foul on Zaha. Why hasn’t the referee’s assistant seen it? Even Alan Pardew from the bench has seen it.” Hoddle: “Alan Pardew has really put his stamp on this club over the past year or so.” (Pardew took over at Selhurst Park in January 2015).
“Alan Pardew has really taken to this club [Crystal Palace] over the last year* or so” – Glenn Hoddle. *Since January 2015. — David J Bowman (@davidjb1988) October 3, 2015
Darke: “Palace continue to look for the key to the door.” (Ian Darke has been brushing up on his metaphors ahead of the match)
Darke: (In the 84th minute) “Palace just need another five goals now to overtake Manchester City and go second.”
Darke: Seventeen of the 22 starters today are from the British Isles. Is this some kind of record? Get in touch and tell us…” (No, Ian, that’s your job!)
Savage: “They’ve got two solid banks of four.” (in reference to visiting West Brom, who were playing as 4-5-1)
Hoddle: Palace bought really well this summer and look like a team who could finish in the top eight.” (Someone tell Hoddle that Palace were fifth going into this game.)
Hoddle: “The referee was only nine yards away; 10 metres maybe.”
Glenn Hoddle ” It’s 9 yards, 10 metres maybe” One sixteenth of a furlong maybe Glenn
— Gary Harte (@G_Harte88) October 3, 2015
And even poor old Jake Humphrey wasn’t immune to the odd gaffe, when after the game he declared: “Palace move up to third after the win, and even more importantly, they’re now joint second!”