Best of The Commentators' View 2024/25 - Part Three

Gary Lineker invites Brentford manager Thomas Frank round his house for a chat and spot of lunch The Danish manager talks about the journey he's taken the club on, becoming only the Brentford head coach or manager to achieve promotion to the top-flight of English football.

18 Jan 22min

Darren Fletcher is joined by Football Correspondent John Murray, Manchester United journalist Andy Mitten, and former Scotland international Joe Jordan to remember the life and career of Manchester United & Scotland legend Denis Law – the only Scottish player to also have won the Ballon d'Or.

17 Jan 29min

5 Live commentators John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball answer listener questions. From John’s Cyprus underpants story to Ali’s old pet Betsy the beagle causing mischief. Plus the panel react to Erling Haaland signing a new 10-year deal with Manchester City. And will Ali’s losing streak continue in Clash of the Commentators?02:10 Did John avoid the pigeons at Tamworth? 05:50 Commentary boxes behind glass. 13:10 TCV goes international! 17:25 John’s Cyprus underpants story. 24:30 Will Ali lose again in Clash of the Commentators? 32:45 Ali’s mischievous Betsy the beagle. 34:50 Haaland signs 10-year deal. 38:10 Commentating in stadia not designed for football. 40:20 Great Glossary of Football Commentary.BBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries this weekend: Sat 18 Jan 1500 Brentford v Liverpool on 5 Live, Sat 18 Jan 1730 Arsenal v Aston Villa on 5 Live, Sun 19 Jan 1400 Man Utd v Brighton & Hove Albion on 5 Live, Sun 19 Jan 1630 Ipswich Town v Man City on 5 Live, Sun 19 Jan 1830 Man City v Man Utd (WSL) on 5 Sports Extra.

17 Jan 47min

After Erling Haaland signs a new long-term deal with Manchester City club - listen back to when the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer Alan Shearer met with the striker on the eve of his debut season back in 2022. Haaland talks about the relationship with his father, and wanting to be a better player than him from a really young age. He says he has the ability to improve ‘everything’ in his game, and highlights the importance of meditation to his game.The original version of this podcast was released on 6 August 2022.

17 Jan 16min

John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball present an FA Cup Special. They discuss the magic of the FA Cup, from giant killings to pigeon-infested commentary positions.Has the schedule taken away some its allure? Who has the best non-league knowledge in Clash of the Commentators? And where does everyone most look forward to going?01:00 Magic of the FA Cup 02:55 The schedule 05:55 How Sean Dyche’s sacking affected Ali’s prep 09:30 VAR from a commentator’s perspective 14:40 Tunnel interviews 21:25 FA Cup memories 25:20 Biggest cupsets 29:40 Tamworth vs Spurs 31:50 FA Cup replays: yes or no? 34:15 Question from Euro Leagues 36:40 Non-league themed Clash of the Commentators 42:15 Great Glossary of Football5 LIVE COMMENTARIES THIS WEEKEND Friday 10th January FA CUP: Aston Villa v West Ham United 2000 KOSaturday 11th January FA CUP: Bristol City v Wolverhampton Wanderers 1200 KO FA CUP: Liverpool v Accrington Stanley 1215 KO FA CUP: Brentford v Plymouth Argyle 1500 KO FA CUP: Leeds United v Harrogate Town 1745 KO FA CUP: Manchester City v Salford City 1745 KOSunday 12th January FA CUP: Tamworth v Spurs 1230 KO FA CUP: Newcastle United v Bromley 1500 KO FA CUP: Crystal Palace v Stockport County 1500 KO

10 Jan 53min

From Paris, to Bolton – Premier League legend Jay-Jay Okocha sits down with Dion Dublin in this Football Daily special. The former Nigeria international opens up about that move from Paris Saint-Germain to the Premier League with Bolton Wanderers. He chats to Dion about adapting to life in England, his relationship with Sam Allardyce and his determination to prove himself in the Premier League.

4 Jan 21min

5 Live commentators John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball answer listener questions. From how they got into football to how they relax while on the road, and which are the coldest/warmest grounds in the country? And can Ian finally get a win under his belt in Clash of the Commentators?02:15 Ali talks about presenting on the radio 06:10 John’s Christmas travel troubles 12:40 Why did they get into football? 19:20 How do they relax while traveling? 24:30 Do they listen back to their commentaries? 30:20 How do they look after their voices? 33:10 Can Ian win Clash of the Commentators? 43:05 Is Liverpool-Man Utd a ‘local derby’? 44:40 Which are the coldest/warmest grounds? 47:40 The Great Glossary of Football CommentaryBBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries this weekend: Sat 4 Jan 3pm Crystal Palace v Chelsea, Sat 4 Jan 5:30pm Brighton v Arsenal, Sun 5 Jan 2pm Fulham v Ipswich, Sun 5 Jan 4:30pm Liverpool v Man Utd.

3 Jan 53min

John Bennett is joined by Guillem Balague, Julien Laurens and Rafa Honigstein for the first Euro Leagues of 2025. They discuss the match they are most looking forward to and highlight players you should keep an eye on in 2025. From Omar Marmoush at Eintracht Frankfurt to the young Argentine flourishing at Como, they pick out players who could be set for a big move, those on the cusp of great things and a couple of youngsters making big strides. They also pick out something that they are looking forward to in football this year – and end the show with some predictions.TIMECODES 0 mins: Introduction and New Year’s Resolutions 1 min: Fixtures to look forward to in 2025. 7 mins: Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush. 12 mins: Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi. 15 mins: Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller. 20 mins: Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche. 25 mins: Como’s Nico Paz. 29 mins: Heidenheim’s Paul Wanner (on loan from Bayern Munich). 33 mins: Real Madrid’s Joan Martinez. 35 mins: The team discuss something that they are looking forward to seeing in football in 2025.

2 Jan 40min