The Commentators' View: Trent dropped & BTS at 5 Live Sport

29 Aug 2025 · 53 min · 21 chapters

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In short

Football Daily’s “Commentator’s View” episode covering (1) Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad headlines, (2) a busy Premier League/European weekend preview, (3) “Clash of the Commentators” trivia, and (4) behind-the-scenes look at Saturday 5 Live Sport production with producer Claire O’Donoghue.

Guests (backgrounds)

Alistair Bruce Ball (host), John Murray (correspondent/commentator), Ian Dennis (senior reporter/commentator), plus Claire O’Donoghue (Saturday 5 Live Sport producer; runs studio “talkback”/fader instructions to reporters and presenters).

Key claims

Tuchel apologized after calling Jude Bellingham’s mother said his on-field behaviour was “repulsive”; Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker omitted despite being in the mix; Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson included; Jed Spence first senior call-up; Ruben Amorim at Man United may struggle (“job might be too big”); production is “organised chaos” with constant connectivity/line management.

Notable examples

England omissions (Bellingham, Saka, Parma, Foden, Solanke, Mount, Shaw, Lewis Hall, Curtis Jones, Conor Gallagher, Ivan Toney); England inclusions (Rashford; Wharton/Anderson/Spence); production clips (Arsenal signing “ESA” during technical failures; “tea”/coffee routine; Brentford Rob Green pie-spill anecdote).

Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.

Chapters

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Discussing the England Squad Announcement

0:00 to 1:03

Alistair Bruce Ball and John Murray discuss their coverage and thoughts on the England squad announcement.

“This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.”

Discussing the England Squad Announcement

1:22 to 4:00

Alistair Bruce Ball and John Murray discuss their coverage and thoughts on the England squad announcement.

“I'm Alistair Bruce Ball and this is the Commentator's View, the podcast where us five live commentators talk about our travels, the football and the language we use to describe it.”

Thomas Tuchel's Comments on Jude Bellingham

4:00 to 7:40

The conversation shifts to Thomas Tuchel's handling of Jude Bellingham's situation and his apology.

“he is on the way and I'll talk you through all the weekend's football that's coming your way on Five Live and BBC Sounds in a second.”

Examining the England Squad Omissions

7:40 to 12:50

Ian Dennis and John discuss the notable omissions from the England squad and implications.

“Slightly worryingly, you know, listeners won't be aware of this, but slightly worryingly, he's been buttoning up his shirt while we've been looking at him.”

Previewing Upcoming Matches and Managerial Pressures

12:50 to 14:00

Discussion about the upcoming Premier League matches and pressures on managers.

“That was a message that came through loud and clear today.”

Pressure on Managers: Grimsby and Rangers Defeats

14:00 to 17:40

Discussion on the implications of recent defeats for managers and their teams.

“I just think that it's become too much for him.”

Ruben Amorim: Challenges at Manchester United

17:40 to 21:44

Exploring the struggles of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United and his coaching philosophy.

“Amarim has said today, sometimes I hate my players and sometimes I love my players.”

Upcoming Matches and Commentary Plans

21:44 to 24:00

Preview of upcoming matches including Liverpool vs Arsenal and commentary schedules.

“which has provoked a bit of discussion among Fulham fans since they hadn't at that stage.”

Clash of the Commentators: Niche Football Trivia

24:00 to 28:00

A fun trivia segment where commentators name players from a historic match.

“One of the most memorable Liverpool-Arsenal draws came in 2009 when it finished 4-4.”

Discussion on Arsenal's Historical Performance

28:00 to 28:55

Reflecting on past Arsenal matches and key players from a specific game.

“You should take points off for not getting him.”
Show all 21 chapters

Clash of the Commentators: Niche Football Trivia

29:28 to 30:03

A fun trivia segment where commentators name players from a historic match.

“At Whole Foods Market, they've already done the studying.”

Behind the Scenes with Claire

30:24 to 33:30

Claire shares insights into her role and experiences as a producer.

“So probably sitting in Hare Chapman's seat right now, who she delivers all the information to on a Saturday afternoon.”

Challenges of Live Reporting

33:30 to 36:24

Discussing the complexities and fast pace of live sports reporting.

“So this first clip you're going to hear, this is Claire and Joe talking to some of our reporters at the grounds.”

Tuning into Commentary Dynamics

36:24 to 40:09

Exploring the communication between commentators and producers during broadcasts.

“So you also have to do a bit of negotiating as to when that person's going to come through and whether they're with Five Live at that moment or whether they're with final score.”

The Technicalities of Live Sports Production

40:09 to 42:00

Understanding the technical challenges faced during live sports events.

“Celtic, that poor result in the Champions League.”

Navigating Commentary Dynamics

42:00 to 43:52

Understanding the complexities of penalty kick timing in commentary.

“I suspect if Herr Chapman had anything to do with it I'd be number 30.”

The Chaos of Live Broadcasting

43:52 to 45:57

Exploring the challenges faced by commentators during live games.

“And again, Ian, that is at the end of a three o 'clock on Saturday, and I've done them occasionally over the last few seasons, your head is absolutely ready to explode, isn't it?”

Pie Spills and Broadcast Stress

45:57 to 48:02

Sharing humorous on-air anecdotes and the pressures of live commentary.

“Here's something Claire said to Chappers during the halftime news bulletin and then how it played out on air.”

Team Unity in Commentary

48:02 to 50:28

Discussing the importance of teamwork among broadcast staff.

“It's just, can you catch Ian out at certain points?”

The Glossary of Commentary

50:28 to 52:13

A playful discussion on terminology used in football commentary.

“the show, you know, often sounds fantastic.”

Upcoming Matches and Wrap-Up

52:13 to 54:00

Previewing exciting upcoming football matches and closing thoughts.

“Depends on the size of the man, I presume.”
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Transcript

Automatic transcript. May contain errors.

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1:22Ali Bruce-Ball:Hello, welcome to the Football Daily. I'm Alistair Bruce Ball and this is the Commentator's View, the podcast where us five live commentators talk about our travels, the football and the language we use to describe it. Correspondent John Murray is here. Ian Dennis, senior reporter. Hello, John. Ian Dennis is going to join us shortly. Just mentioning our travels there. Where are you and why are you there?

1:47Ian Dennis:I am joining you from Wembley Stadium, from outside Wembley Stadium, where I have not long ago been interviewing Thomas Tuchel about his first England squad of the season. So, yeah, interesting and plenty to discuss.

2:03Ali Bruce-Ball:Well, we'll get on to the details of that in a bit, John. I was just thinking from your point of view, from the correspondent's point of view, you will have covered many squad announcements. Obviously, it's not as exciting as watching England play football live wherever they're playing. But it is an important part of the job. And in terms of today's sort of squad announcement, where does it rank on a sort of level of interest? Because some must just come and go and you know which names are going to be mentioned or whatever. I guess because Thomas Tuchel is still relatively new in here, these are quite interesting.

2:34Ian Dennis:Well, given what you can hear at the moment, that's quite appropriate. because there was a good deal of reversing from Thomas Tuchel following his comments at the end of last season about Jude Bellingham when he used the word repulsive. Do you remember? I do. In a live interview, he said that his mother, Thomas Tuchel's mother, found some of what Jude Bellingham gets up to on the field as repulsive. and obviously today the first sort of scenario where he's been facing the mass media, he was asked about that and gave an absolutely fulsome apology. It was my responsibility. I used it unintentionally.

3:20Ian Dennis:I'm sorry for the upset. I should have done better. I used the wrong word straight away. I got in touch with Jude Bellingham. So, yeah, Thomas Tuchel had to give the full mea culpa today on that. So, you know, next time we get an opportunity to speak to Jude Bellingham, I guess that would be on the agenda.

3:42Ali Bruce-Ball:Yeah, but which then clearly made it quite an uncomfortable day for him.

3:46Ian Dennis:Not really. The section where he had to talk about that was, but he knew it was coming clearly. And he was ready with, as I say, the most fulsome of apologies.

3:58Ali Bruce-Ball:OK, as I say, Ian Dennis is going to join us shortly. he is on the way and I'll talk you through all the weekend's football that's coming your way on Five Live and BBC Sounds in a second.

4:07Ian Dennis:But we do have a very exciting episode of the commentator's view today, don't we? Which is rather different.

4:14Ali Bruce-Ball:Yeah, I was just about to say that, John, before we get on to the details of the England squad, who's in and who's out, we're going to give you a little sort of tease of our special guest today. Brilliant booking, this one, I think. So Saturday's five live sport producer, Claire O'Donoghue, is going to be joining us on the show. So if you can sort of picture us all busy at work on a Saturday, Claire is sort of steering the ship. So today, we're recording this on Friday, she will have been very busy sort of putting the show together, putting all the plans in place for what's going to go out tomorrow on Saturday.

4:49Ali Bruce-Ball:and then on Saturday John Clare will be sitting there and she is the well, it's obviously a massive team effort but the key voice for Mark Chapman and Ian Dennis in particular from midday and then into the 3 o 'clock commentary because all the information that they are going to bring to the listeners comes via her.

5:08Ian Dennis:Yeah, and I think in terms of radio sport production this is one of the most testing jobs that you have, isn't it? On a Saturday afternoon when you are, as you say, you know, you are effectively the team leader there while the people who are on air are on air you know the one who calls the shots is the producer who will have an editor sitting sitting next to them and you know in all of the decades that I've done this job that has been done by some very very good people hasn't it you know and who you know have to have 25 30 things going on in their head at the same time so it's a it's a really demanding role and uh and interesting what what we've done is actually recording some of the talkback so uh and i haven't heard this yet so i'm quite looking forward to

5:52Ali Bruce-Ball:hearing what we play out yeah we've got some clips to play you and so so what that is that is that is from claire's end so you will hear what goes on at the studio end of five live sport and what claire is saying to ian while he's commentating to mark chapman while he's presenting and as you say john not only is you know claire in her role got to be absolutely across everything because the information is coming in from all angles but in terms of giving that information to the commentator to the presenter you've got to be clear you've got to be concise and actually it sounds a slightly silly thing to say but you've got to be quite loud i mean you know just just to cut through

6:30Ian Dennis:we're sitting in big stadiums with a lot of noise but also editorially i think on a saturday afternoon you can get anything thrown at you when there are so many different possibilities from so many outside sources as we call them and I think as well you find that at this time of the year and in in the springtime you know when when many of the biggest events are overlapping these are the busiest of times so you know it can it can be the most eventful time to broadcast in the week and of course very very happy things can happen and very very sad things can happen as well and you've got to be ready for all of that and and make sure that you deal with it in the correct way.

7:10Ali Bruce-Ball:And in terms, I think particularly from Ian's point of view and Hare Chapman, of course, I wonder whether they're a little bit concerned about Claire's appearance on the pod this week, tales she could possibly tell if she feels that way inclined.

7:25Ian Dennis:Maybe so.

7:26Ali Bruce-Ball:Maybe so.

7:27Ian Dennis:We'll find out later, won't we? We will.

7:30Ali Bruce-Ball:Not too far away. Let's do the England squad in terms of players then, John. So the international break is on the way. we've got another weekend of Premier League football on the way but over the international break the commentators view will be here and we'll be very keen to answer some of your questions so emails as always to tcv at bbc.co.uk and the voice notes to come in on WhatsApp to 08000 289 369 but let's have a little look at this England squad John I'll fire you an opening question while Ian Dennis gets himself ready he has arrived but I'm going to give him a chance to catch his breath so we don't have another stadium of light situation on our hands.

8:11Ian Dennis:Slightly worryingly, you know, listeners won't be aware of this, but slightly worryingly, he's been buttoning up his shirt while we've been looking at him.

8:18Ali Bruce-Ball:He's been hard at work this afternoon. Hello, Ian. Good afternoon to you both. Sorry for my late arrival. You're quite all right. I know you've been busy. Go on then, John. Give us the headlines. What's really stood out to you player-wise from this England squad?

8:31Ian Dennis:Well, I think the news that Trent Alexander-Arnold was left out of the squad. You know, this is the first squad after he moved to Real Madrid and he's not in it. And also Kyle Walker's omission as well on 96 caps, but at 35 years old. So he's out. But Jordan Henderson retains his place as a 35 year old. However, into the midfield, Thomas Tuchel has chosen a 21 year old in Adam Wharton and a 22 year old in Elliot Anderson. And also Jed Spence, like Elliot Anderson, getting his very first senior international call-up. And also in terms of the forward positions, because we know that Bellingham, Saka, Parma are all absent, injured from this squad.

9:17Ian Dennis:But it did not mean a recall for Jack Grealish. But it did mean inclusion for Marcus Rashford, who's just getting things going at Barcelona on loan there. So I think they were probably the main points as well. And in terms of other players who are left out, no Curtis Jones, no Conor Gallagher, Phil Foden not in the squad, Ivan Toney not involved, Dominic Solanke, Mason Mount, who I thought might have a call, Lewis Hall, Luke Shaw, the left backs, neither of those two involved.

9:45Ali Bruce-Ball:Yeah, which is why there is so much to talk about with this squad. I mean, Ian, in terms of hearing it this afternoon while you've been dashing about, anything surprised you there? The Jed Spence one surprised me, but I'm pleased that Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton have both been included because I think their form for a long time has warranted a place in the senior setup. And obviously the fact that Trent Alexander-Arnold, I think, as John has already alluded to, the names that he's mentioned, there are probably more questions about those who don't feature rather than those that do. but I'm pleased for Anderson and Wharton because I think they've been knocking on the door for a very very long time, in particular Elliot Anderson

10:27Ian Dennis:Yeah and as Thomas Tuchel said, both of them finished the season well and have started the season well but at the same time you know when Trent Alexander-Arnold was left out, I know he's only just getting things going at Real Madrid, started one match, was on the bench for the other so Carver Howell started instead of Trent Alexander-Arnold in Real Madrid's second league match of the season. But, you know, I thought maybe there would be extenuating circumstances. But in fact, Thomas Tuchel said about Trent Alexander-Arnold, in fact, this is a phrase he used for a number of the players who were left out today.

11:05Ian Dennis:He's a big fan of them. He said he'll always be in the mix. He said, I know how desperate he is. Jack Grealish as well came into that category. But in the main, he said that he put this down to competition. So effectively for this squad, Rhys James and Tino Livramento in the right-back position are ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker. And actually Ben White as well is also on the injured list. And I know we keep talking about when and if he'll be recalled under Thomas Tuchel, but he's currently injured, so therefore not in the picture. Just looking through the last England games, I mean, Alexander Arnold, the last time that he actually started was October of last year against Greece.

11:52So he's actually not started in the last seven England internationals.

11:57Ali Bruce-Ball:Are you looking at the big red book there, Ian? No, I've got a little black one for England. That's the same job, though. I should say, in terms of those games, that is England against Andorra, which is 5 o 'clock Saturday 6th September, and then Tuesday 9th September away to Serbia, which looks like a tricky game. That won't be easy.

12:23Ian Dennis:In theory, on paper, they are the most straightforward and the toughest two matches in the group. But England, top of the table with three wins out of three. And another theme of what Thomas Tuchel said to us today was that his aim over the course of two matches in September, then two in October, and then two in November, obviously the target is to be qualified for the World Cup, but also to establish an identity. That was a message that came through loud and clear today.

12:57Ali Bruce-Ball:Okay. Those games, of course, you'll be able to hear in full. on 5 Live and BBC Sounds. But in terms of your Premier League football this weekend, well, you're not just doing Premier League, are you? I think you've got a really, really interesting weekend ahead. So Manchester United, who you saw, get knocked out of the League Cup by Grimsby on Wednesday night. You're going to be at Old Trafford with Michael Brown to watch them take on Burnley. Again, they'll obviously be expected to win. And then on Sunday, you're off to Ibrox to watch Rangers against Celtic with Russell Martin under all sorts of pressure and neither of those two having made it to the Champions League.

13:36Two managers in Ruben Amorim and Russell Martin who are under severe pressure. I've got to say for Ruben Amorim, I think the job might be too big for him. The way that he looked and the pictures that we saw of him in the dugout, I was just focusing on the penalty shootout the other night. So at the time, I actually didn't see him. But I just don't think that's right. and his ramblings afterwards as well. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he was to walk, Ruben Amrim. I just think that it's become too much for him. He needed to hit the ground running this season, and that was an embarrassing defeat against Grimsby.

14:12And full credit to Grimsby, by the way. And we were looked after royally by Jack and the communications team. David Artel was wonderful. I did get that impression.

14:21Ian Dennis:I did get that impression. That very much came across. Yeah, they rolled out the red carpet for Five Live. So thank you to everybody connected at Grimsby. And as you say, then at Rangers, well, I mean, they had a very humiliating defeat in Belgium, didn't they? I mean, I know they were down to 10 men, but to lose in the manner that they did, the supporters have already turned. And I always think the barometer, I don't know what you two think, the barometer for any away is the away support for any manager under pressure. If your away support is sticking with you, I think you're fine. and the away support in Belgium turned against Russell Martin and I think he will do well to survive that.

14:59Ian Dennis:Although actually, I would say for Manchester United fans, you know, over the course of the, what is it now, since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down, that's 12 years now, isn't it? Over 12 years. The Manchester United fans have been incredibly loyal to all of the managers that have come and gone and when you say about Ruben Amorim, struggling in the job. He's not the only one, is he?

15:25Ali Bruce-Ball:He's not. I was just going to pick up on there. I wonder whether it's even a term for the glossary, the job is too big for him. But just to sort of go into that...

15:34Ian Dennis:Does that also go along with he's lost the dressing room? Well, possibly. Do they go together? Possibly. Do they need to be bracketed together in the glossary?

15:42Ali Bruce-Ball:We know he's a capable football manager. He did a brilliant job at sporting. That is why Manchester United picked him. But like so many other managers before him, You go into Old Trafford and there's so many other things to deal with. I mean, first of all, you're picking up a squad of players that aren't initially yours. But, you know, he has had a chance now to do something about that. But in terms of the job being too big, that means what he was able to do at Sporting on a football front, he's not been able to translate to Old Trafford. And then you think, well, why did it work there and it's not working in Manchester?

16:14Well, I asked this question to René Moulinstein last season. because if you think Oliver Glasner, he went in with more or less the same system, three at the back with Crystal Palace, didn't have any European distractions and got a tune out of Crystal Palace straight away. And Oliver Glasner made an immediate impact. I said to René Moulinstein last season, why hasn't that happened? And he says, well, because of Europe, they haven't got enough time on the training field. And, you know, it's game, recover, game, rest, game, recover, da-da-da-da-da. So I thought this season, and Amarim has said that we're not equipped for Europe.

Read the full transcript

16:47We've got no distractions. That will be a positive. Well, now they haven't got any distractions because they've got just the league to concentrate on because they're out of the League Cup. Amarim afterwards, I just thought when he says something's got to change, I thought he was talking in riddles. But what's got to change? And he never gave you an answer. Now, he's been adamant that it's his system that won't change. He's been very rigid in that respect. And if he's not going to change the formation, is he the one who's got to change? I think, you know, you heard rumours last season that he was prepared to walk last season.

17:21I remember him saying after the Europa League final in Bilbao, you know, if they don't want me, I'll go tomorrow. I just wouldn't be surprised if he was to walk.

17:29Ali Bruce-Ball:As I said, we're recording this on Friday. Ruben Amarim has said at his press conference today ahead of this Burnley game. So full commentary on Manchester United-Burnley. That's Ian Dennis and Michael Brown bringing you that at three o 'clock on Saturday. Amarim has said today, sometimes I hate my players and sometimes I love my players. Sometimes I want to quit. Sometimes I want to be here for 20 years. I need to improve on that. It's going to be hard, but now I'm focused on the next game. Tottenham Bournemouth, you can also listen to on the BBC Sounds app. That'll be on Sports Extra, three o 'clock Saturday afternoon.

18:01Ali Bruce-Ball:John is then going to be at Elland Road for his first game of the weekend, which will be Leeds-Newcastle. And then it's a triple header on Sunday on 5 Live. We've mentioned Ian at Ibrox with Pat Nevin. That's Rangers Celtic. I'm at the Amex, Brighton, Manchester City, alongside Mark Schwarzer. That kicks off at 2 o 'clock. We've got Nottingham Forest, West Ham on Sports Extra at 2 o 'clock. And then we're not really going to have time to discuss it in the podcast today. The small matter, the small matter of Liverpool against Arsenal Sunday 4.30.

18:33Ian Dennis:Let's just say that's a match that speaks for itself. So listen to it on Five Live.

18:39Ali Bruce-Ball:Very good. Now, listen, those two, those two and others, came out of a hat in the Champions League draw. John, you were covering that on Five Live on Thursday. Bodo Glimt are in. They are very much in. Chance to get to the Arctic Circle.

18:54Ian Dennis:I almost couldn't believe my eyes when Bodo Glimt came out and sent both Tottenham and Manchester City there. So, you know, any team could only draw two English clubs. and we ended up with a choice, a potential choice. But, you know, I think currently that would be, of all of the places I've not been to watch football and commentate on football in Europe, you know, that's pretty close to the top of my list. And part of that is I was so jealous of Ali going there last season. Also, Ali, you've been to the fair a while. Oh, yeah. I'm very... You've done that as well, Ian, have you? No, I haven't, no.

19:35I've got to say, I would quite like a trip to the Faroes.

19:39Ian Dennis:What did you eat in the Faroes, Ali? Fish. Best fish supper I've ever had.

19:45Ali Bruce-Ball:What sort of fish was that? Just fresh. Fresh, John.

19:49Ian Dennis:Fresh fish.

19:49Ali Bruce-Ball:Literally whipped out of the sea, slapped down on the plate. Some lovely chips alongside. I don't care what it is. The other day, David Artel was telling me that, I said, how do you sign a player from the Faroes? That's right. You were talking about that, weren't you? They've got the data that Brighton use. And so they went to look at two players from the Pharaohs, and one of them was this midfielder called Giza Thuri. So he travelled with the owner, went on a little bit of a road trip via Copenhagen, ended up in a Michelin restaurant, and tasted a bit of sea urchin. Hang on. Not a Michelin restaurant.

20:23Ali Bruce-Ball:You mean a Michelin star, don't you? Yeah, yeah. I didn't say Michelin. No, I know you didn't.

20:30Ian Dennis:But that was very quick. If he's called Giza, shouldn't he be from Iceland?

20:33Ali Bruce-Ball:Woo-hoo! John very quickly because I know we've got to get on to Clash of the Commentators and our special guest is coming on Claire is on the way did you find out how much a Jimenez handshake margarita costs at Craven Cottage

20:49Ian Dennis:which was absolutely I didn't go there last season to Craven Cottage, love being back there for the first Premier League match of the season, it was a beautiful day and I did my very best to find out, but on our side of the ground, the Stevenage Roadside, the Johnny Haynes stand, there was no sign of it on sale, so it must be only on sale in the new, the sparkling new Riverside stand. So I'm afraid I can't answer the question.

21:18Ali Bruce-Ball:Okay, so that means we are now relying on our listeners, Fulham fans if you're listening, and you've tasted one or you're aware of them in the price or whatever, TCV at BBC.co.uk please.

21:29Ian Dennis:Yeah, and also that, as I mentioned last Sunday afternoon, speaking of Michelin, they've recently taken on five new Michelin-starred chefs at Fulham to work in their posh new restaurants on the Riverside side of the ground, which has provoked a bit of discussion among Fulham fans since they hadn't at that stage. They'd only signed a second-choice goalkeeper this summer.

21:55Ali Bruce-Ball:Right, I think it's time, John. I think it's time for Clash of the Commentators and you, I know you'll say thankfully, are not involved this week.

22:01Ian Dennis:as I always say. So far, Ali, you've beaten John on Sunderland Managers and then I beat John on Newcastle No. 14s and No. 9s with that dramatic win. So the champion, Ali, is one from one. I'm also one from one, so actually I'm joint top. But, John, 12 defeats in a row remains rooted. In competitive matches.

22:22Ali Bruce-Ball:I'm never that keen on stats like that. Like Premier League, when you read them and they say, oh, they've lost 12 games in a row across two seasons, John, I think I'd be kinder to you there and say, disappointing into last season, hasn't started well this season, but I'd have you at two defeats in a row.

22:36Ian Dennis:OK, thanks very much, Ali. And this week, I am rested. So it is Ali against Ian to see who will go to the top of the league after two games each. So I will give you a category, for those who haven't listened to the Commentators' View podcast before, on Clash of the Commentators, I'll give you a category and you will have 30 seconds to give as many correct answers as you can. So who's going to go first? Who is going to go first this week?

23:08Ali Bruce-Ball:Well, Ian, you went second last week. Do you want to go first this week? Do you mind what you do? No, I'll tell you what, I'll go first. Okay, I'll unplug. Yeah. Thank you for the...

23:19Ian Dennis:I just looked at the question. I'm pleased I'm not answering this one. Oh, dear. You ready? Ali's unplugged, is he? Yes, he is. Right, here we go. this one Ian the countdown music has started already no answers yet talk about putting me under pressure

23:40Ian Dennis:so we're ready to go and this one Ian is a bit niche so may need you to field some educated guesses so if you're ready our Sunday 4.30 commentary as discussed is Liverpool versus Arsenal. Their last three meetings at Anfield have all been draws. One of the most memorable Liverpool-Arsenal draws came in 2009 when it finished 4-4. I was commentating on that match. I want you to name any player to feature in that match. Liverpool 4, Arsenal 4 from April 2009. And your time starts now. Oh, Chavin, Walcott, Thomas Riziki, Almunia, Lehman, Gerrard, Carragher, Hoopier, oh, who's the left back? Risa, Torres, Blimey.

24:54Ian Dennis:Yeah, you've done, do you know what? I think you've done quite well there. That was a hard question. The thing is, though, I think Ali's quite good at these sort of questions. Yeah, he is, yeah. Right, I'll give him a thumbs up. You look quite pleased, John. I know it wasn't you.

25:12Ali Bruce-Ball:It wasn't you doing it anyway, was it?

25:14Ian Dennis:I'll tell you why I'm pleased. I'm pleased because I'm not answering this question. Because it is a bit niche. So may need you to field some educated guesses. Okay. Our Sunday 4.30 commentary is Liverpool versus Arsenal. Their last three meetings at Anfield have all been draws. One of the most memorable Liverpool-Arsenal draws came in 2009 when it finished 4-4. I want you to name any player to feature in that match. Liverpool 4, Arsenal 4 in April 2009. And your time starts now.

25:54Ali Bruce-Ball:Gerrard, Fabregas, Carragher, Van Persie. Who was playing 2009? Is that Koscielny? Almunia? Flamini, who's at right back? This is terrible. What about Liverpool? Gerard Carragher, Suarez. No, that's too early, 2009.

26:20That's not good. It's not good. This is going to be tight because I named 10 players and Ali named eight. So it's a question of who got the most.

26:29Ian Dennis:He was going to edge this, but there are one or two who didn't actually play in that match. That's the thing, as you will soon discover. Is that the one where Arshavin scored the hat-trick? The winner is Mr. Ian Dennis. 4-2. 4-2. 4-2. 2, Ali.

26:48Ali Bruce-Ball:2. That's awful.

26:50Ian Dennis:First defeat of the season. You are now, Ali, on a run of one in a row. And the two teams, as I was telling Ian, Ali, I commentated on that match. So I would certainly have got Andrei Arshavin, who scored all four goals. Oh, I would have said that.

27:08Ali Bruce-Ball:I thought that was in the League Cup game.

27:10Ian Dennis:No, it was in this match.

27:12Ali Bruce-Ball:In the Premier League. I would have said that.

27:14Ian Dennis:I'm saying he scored four goals in this match. But the teams were Liverpool, Reiner in goal, Arbeloa, Carragher, Aga and Aurelio, Alonso, Masturano, Benayoun, Kaut, Riera. neither have you got him Albert Riera wasn't it and Torres who you said Ian and the subs who came on were Ryan Barble and also I can't even remember this player's first name Elzar what was his first name Elzar Nabil Mr Gary Flintoff next to me here at Wembley prompted me in fact Gary was probably commentating on Liverpool then for Radio Merseyside. He was indeed. So Nabil El-Zar. You should take points off for not getting him.

28:07Ian Dennis:And Arsenal's team that day, Fabianski in goal, who I saw last weekend, Fabianski at Old Trafford. Sanya, Toure, Silvestre and Gibbs. Then Arshaven, Song, Fabregas, as Ali said. Denilson, Nasri and Bentner and coming on as subs, Walcott, who you said, Ian, and Abu Diaby. So there we are. Wow. That was a tricky one. Yeah. Yeah.

28:37Ali Bruce-Ball:It's funny, isn't it? When you go back to... I'm just trying to think...

28:39Ian Dennis:I'd have probably got one. Oh, sure.

28:42Ali Bruce-Ball:Yeah, that was a bit of a shambles. Well played, Ian.

28:44Ian Dennis:No, thank you, Ollie. Thank you. Top of the table, Ian. Yeah, two out of two. Top of the table with two out of two. Get closer to the action with live commentary from the world's greatest sporting events on BBC Sounds. It is all over! Bulls are sledge, caught behind. Including Cricket, Super League, Women's Euros 2025, Wimbledon, Formula One and much more. It's all eyes to the lights and foot to the floor. Oh, what a stunning! Drop shots! Winner! On 5 Sports Extra, Sports Extra 2 and Sports Extra 3. Listen, only on BBC Sounds. Pop quiz. What's in your kid's lunchbox? At Whole Foods Market, they've already done the studying.

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30:10Ali Bruce-Ball:The Commentator's View on the Football Daily with Alistair Bruce Ball, John Murray and Ian Dennis. Look, Claire O'Donoghue, producer of Saturday's 5 Live Sport, is on the way. Claire is sitting the other side of the glass that she would normally sit on a Saturday afternoon. So probably sitting in Hare Chapman's seat right now, who she delivers all the information to on a Saturday afternoon. So Claire is our producer of Saturday's 5 Live Sport. One of my favourite things, and I genuinely mean this, Claire, when I'm working on a Saturday, one of my favourite things on a Friday afternoon around about this time is a phone call from you.

30:46Ali Bruce-Ball:which Ian Dennis gets every single week, don't you? I love chatting through the show with Claire and what's on the way. How are you, Claire? I'm good. I'm not in the right studio to be sat in Chappas' seat, so I think that would have tipped him over the edge if I'd have rocked up and could just imagine his face, me in his seat. So now I'm in a different studio. I'm not allowed in the other one. I do have to say I'm slightly apprehensive about this. Why? You're apprehensive. I'm on the radio. I'm on a podcast. This is not the norm. I know it's not the norm but I just think there are so many tales you could tell and I think you should tell more about Hair Chapman than my good self No, because the tricky thing is that I don't see you face to face that much whereas I spend seven and a half hours in a studio looking at Jappers through glass so I think that might be an issue so I think I will keep those stories and I'll just put them all on you

31:39Ian Dennis:Plus the fact this is not the presenter's view it's the commentator's view We want to hear stories about the commentator. Where do you want me to start? Let me... Were you aware, Claire, that you were recorded last weekend with this segment in mind? And with that in mind, are you worried that you might have said something that you shouldn't? I think I probably will have said something that I shouldn't. I thought I might be being recorded, but then the way I thought I was being recorded didn't happen, but it turns out I was recorded in an even more sneakier way than I thought. So I think someone then had to troll through like seven hours of my talk back which as you know Ian is um incessant should we also explain before we before we hear the clips you know the setup in the studio on your side who else is there where are they so Chapman is through the glass and then in front of me I've got a panel of 30 they're called OS's but they're just like buttons on and every button is like a different reporter so I've got that in front of me there's NSM who's in who's in control of all the faders there's a studio manager studio manager there yeah there's an SD I think studio director sat behind me and their job is to make sure all the lines come in so anytime a reporter dials in from a ground they're the ones that put them through make sure their lines are working so if anyone ever has any issues they're the ones that do that and then I've got a broadcast assistant who left me so they're the kind of like the right hand person who they sit next to me and they're the ones who like speak to a lot of the reporters if they're having issues and things like that and then there's an editor who is meant to kind of think two steps ahead of me so they they they're across like the overview of the show while i'm keeping

33:21Ali Bruce-Ball:things ticking on minute by minute yeah and particularly sort of looking ahead to five o 'clock and sports report and setting all that up um let's let let's get on to the clips then because you've just mentioned your broadcast assistant there so that was joe when this was recorded. So this first clip you're going to hear, this is Claire and Joe talking to some of our reporters at the grounds. You're also going to hear Claire talking to Hare Chapman, telling him where he's got to go next, who he's got to hand to. And she'll be shouting, you'll be shouting numbers at the SD, the studio director, whose job it is to put the right fader up at the right time, so we hear the right reporter on air.

34:00Just ten seconds, Sahail. Southampton, Sahil.

34:05Ian Dennis:Middlesbrough have that 100 % record. Same with Stoke. 14. Southampton, Sahil, Sahil. Finish Southampton, one, Stoke, two. Stoke stayed top of the table after a few in second half. Stand by, Naz. Sheffield United, Naz. Premji.

34:20Ali Bruce-Ball:And Boyhood, Kunor, only number 10. But it ended Southampton, one. Stoke, two. Preston had beaten Ipswich by a goal. Thanks for that on my edge penalty in the first half. First half, Sheffield United have lost the game now. Sheffield United 0-0, 1-1, Luke Cumberland, first half goal. Wrexham, Steve Wyatt. They can't have it yet. 20.

34:46Stand by, Nathan. Just ten, please. But I know you've got a few goals, so you might need more. Coventry, Nathan Albon.

34:53Ali Bruce-Ball:Wednesday home, Bailey Kadamartri Thumptoma deserved equaliser, full-time Wrexham 2, Jeffield Wednesday 2 Julia, I'll come for 10, just a little update Update Burnley, Julia 12 next

35:14Ali Bruce-Ball:That's chaos That's absolute chaos Hey, that's my production technique No, I mean, just what I mean by that, not your production technique. I mean, just dealing with all that information. And you can't, because, you know, occasionally when we're doing a commentary, I will, it happened to me actually on Tuesday night at Hillsborough, I will forget. Even though I've got it written down, I suddenly look down and I forget which reporter is where. You can't afford to do that because as you're giving the next one to Mark, you've got to get that number right. You've got to get that name right. You've just got to keep that rolling all the time.

35:45Yeah, it is quite, there's not much of a break because Saturdays is kind of like three different shows. So you have like the first three hours, which is more chatty, and then you've got the commentary and then sports report. So by the time that was like leading up to sports report, by the time I get to the music of sports report, I like kind of don't know where I am. Because you are constantly like, I'm going to do this next, I'm going to do this next. And all the while, the editor is then writing the sports report heads and you're waiting for results to come in. so you kind of have to keep going and just make sure.

36:16And then there was one bit where in that I shouted, tell them they can't have them yet. They can't have it yet. It's a Wednesday. They'll go there. 20. And that's because there's also reporters that are shared between us and final score. So you also have to do a bit of negotiating as to when that person's going to come through and whether they're with Five Live at that moment or whether they're with final score. So you have to do quite a few things at once. So it is a bit tricky. It is tricky, but it also, it is the best fun. Like, that is the best show. I mean, I'm biased, obviously, but it is the most fun.

36:49Ali Bruce-Ball:I imagine post-show drink is that. I mean, doing the show must be a lovely buzz, but when it's over, that is a wild ride, that. Yeah, but also getting to half five is the moment where I kind of, because that's not as busy a match. Once you guys have taken it for the commentary, that's quite nice at 5.30 to just, like, have a moment and just, like, have a minute and just, like, be like, oh I don't need to think about anything for a few minutes before you start again thinking about the rest of the show and yeah post-show pine always always goes down well now we heard I think Graham McMillan was editing we heard Graham in the background there talking to you I think

37:24Ian Dennis:John yeah talking to me at Arsenal and that's a little bit of an insight as well because what was happening at Arsenal at that time we were having a technical nightmare so this can happen as well and even though it's our commentary match at 5 30 our lines were down we couldn't get the lines back up. We had half a line up. World Service are wanting to speak to us. And in the middle of all that, and we kind of knew it was coming, but we weren't sure. In the middle of all that, Arsenal announced that they've completed the signing of ESA. And the other thing we didn't have at Arsenal was any connectivity.

38:00Ian Dennis:So we didn't have any signal. So they've announced it on social media. We can't get connected to anything. And we're desperately trying to get up on this other line. And Graham there as the editor is telling me down the line what Arsenal have said on their social media post so that I can reflect that in the headlines at five o 'clock. So that's why that sounds particularly fraught, Claire. But also that was quite fraught because Ian says a lot that I bellow down the line to him when I'm giving him instructions in his ear. and I think last week John you got the bellow because you were having connectivity issues your line had moved and so where I thought you were the button I thought you were on you weren't on and it was in sports report you were meant to be doing 10 seconds into the heads and I couldn't find you so I was shouting down button number one which I thought you were on and I was like going John John where are you and there was no answer so then I shouted to producer Gary who I thought was on too and I was like Gary where is John and you just which I said I'm here this is me And then I was like, oh, hello, John, you're on.

39:06John, you there? John?

39:12Gary, where's John? Oh, there you are. Right, stand by. Sports Report. But it's just like quite stressful. The Sports Report music is that time of, oh, don't mess up the heads, don't mess up the heads. And I just couldn't find you. And I was like, where is he? Like, ah!

39:27Ali Bruce-Ball:But that's why I think, and we're going to get a few more clips in here, but I just think that is so revealing. So all people here is kind of, you know, on a Saturday afternoon, the ship sailing smoothly along, all the reporters doing their bit into the commentary. Away we go. And it sounds like but if you could actually see and hear what's going on, let's do the next one. So in this one, this is Claire and Ian together now. So see if you can listen out for how Claire's got to be really tuned in here to what Ian is saying in his commentary so she can shout the next instruction into his ear. In the first part, Ian's talking about a goal at Celtic, just as our reporter Ailey Barber becomes available to throw to.

40:06Ali Bruce-Ball:And then after that, Ian actually says on air, and this is a technique we do sometimes use actually as commentators, where will we go next on Five Live? And then Claire's got to react to that. You've got Celtic for the goal. Have fallen behind at London Road. Peterbury United, Bilbrad. Hey, Ailey, stand by for that goal. Celtic, that poor result in the Champions League. So 23 next. Our leading Livingston by... Ailey is there. And we'll get news of the goal from Ailey Barber.

40:42Thank you. Scotland-Wales, Maz. Scotland-Wales and the Women's Rugby Union World Cup, Maz Faruqi. You've got a reaction. Thank you. Arsenal leads Team News, John Murray. So it'll be one next. 31, Wales 8, 69 minutes played now. T-news now from Arsenal for our 5.30 commentary from John Murray.

41:06Ian Dennis:And there'll be a full Premier League debut for Arsenal for Nonny Madiweke. Can I just say as well, when Claire earlier referred to me saying when I use the words incessant and bellow, I actually want her to bellow. I need her to shout. I need strong instruction stroke direction and she is the best in the business as you can already tell and I've got that recorded now so I'm just going to play it all along even even if it doesn't make

41:37Ali Bruce-Ball:the final edit I'm just gonna clip it out and you can rewind John on BBC sounds listen to it again and again and again and John was number one on the faders there does he demand that John always number one I thought he was on number two when he got switched to two so no John's not always number one sorry sorry it depends basically you can only have 30 like outside sources and we had too many so we had more than 30 so basically number one had been the 12-30 Premier League game but then because we then needed to lose the 12-30 that's where the 5-30 went so you kind of have to juggle to make sure you can get everyone on air because if they're not on one of those 30 outside sources then you can't get on air.

42:22Ian Dennis:I suspect if Herr Chapman had anything to do with it I'd be number 30. Well he doesn't you're fine I'm in charge. I mean let's edit that bit out I'm not in charge I've said that before and that comes back to haunt me but technically in the technical who goes where then I'll say I am. Let's have another one because the timing of when to go for a penalty kick is also a big consideration for the producer. The reporter and the producer will be in constant communication, as you may have heard briefly on Tuesday night during Ali's commentary at Sheffield Wednesday.

42:54Ali Bruce-Ball:Corner about to come in here, penalty at Molyneux, Mike Meiner. Where Wolves have a penalty Bell guard tripped by Rodriguez on his first...

43:02Ian Dennis:So just explain what happened there, it was Mike Meiner who was at Wolves. So basically if anyone gets a penalty, then I'll say tell me when it's on the spot, because otherwise you can go to a reporter and if they're faffing about we've taken the penalty it takes ages so you kind of want to go at the very last minute so that you don't miss it but so you get there just in time so they're not hanging around so mike is clearly telling whoever was producing yeah it's on the spot come to me but didn't realize that he was on air i have to say mike handled that absolutely

43:32Ali Bruce-Ball:brilliantly because he's obviously talking to met in the producer that night then hears me and then immediately picks up and goes into the penalty but i always feel as the commentator as well like Claire is saying is when I hear penalty I'm going to go pretty quickly because you want to get that moment that the ball hits the back of the net but that that is never a perfect science and it can

43:51Ian Dennis:also be quite uncomfortable actually if you're the reporter and the commentator comes to you too early when whoever it is who's taken the penalty then starts faffing around re-spotting it you're conscious as the reporter that you might miss a goal in you know what is very often a more important match which is the commentary match sometimes you'll get a moment where you've got like a few penalties lining up or you've got a few goals in different places and then you get a penalty but there's also something in happening in your match so it's just like trying to work out what's the best order when to go do you know what that's the other thing i was going to say very

44:24Ali Bruce-Ball:quickly because ian does that job you know and has done for many seasons regularly on a saturday afternoon that the bits of claire you're hearing there when she's talking to ian ian is commentating at the same time so if you can think about that ian is trying to concentrate on what he's doing on his match and what's going on, but all the time receiving those instructions, getting around the grounds and whatever. And again, Ian, that is at the end of a three o 'clock on Saturday, and I've done them occasionally over the last few seasons, your head is absolutely ready to explode, isn't it? It is, because either to my right or to my left, depending on the configuration of the press box, I've got the computer screen with, well, it's effectively a viddy printer.

45:01So as well as listening to Claire bellowing in my ears, that was just for you, Claire. Thank you. with her incessant talkback. I've then got to look at, read out the scores as well as do the commentary. So I think we said, didn't we, John, when we did the live show in Sheffield that if anybody ever wants to ask me for a tenner at around five o 'clock on a Saturday is probably the perfect time to ask me because my brain is a little bit fried at that point. And another thing about the bellow is that I'll try and aim to match whatever level Ian's at. So if like it's really noisy, I'll try and match that so that he can hear me.

45:35But then the issue comes that if I'm trying to tell Chappers something at the same time, I'll still use my Ian voice where I'm bellowing to Chappers who's just at the other side of the glass and in the studio and you're sometimes like, what are you doing? Like, that is far too loud and I'm like, I can't control it. Like, I'm just bellowing for the sake of it now.

45:51Ali Bruce-Ball:It's also the producer's job to pass on any interesting tidbits to the presenter, which may be useful. Here's something Claire said to Chappers during the halftime news bulletin and then how it played out on air. Sensational bit of news from Brentford Message from Rob Green Denner has spilt his pie all over his notes Obviously early in the season Still getting used to new players at clubs And stats and just finding our way And always important to be able to read your notes I find at this stage of the season Hopefully yours are nice and clear in front of you Ian Yes they are, thank you Mark And I appreciate the concern Sure?

46:31Yes, they are very clean. You definitely haven't spilled the filling of your pie all over them at half-time. Not on my notes, but I did have a certain spillage. And it's also important to make sure that Team Unity is as strong as ever. At the start of the season. And... Always behind you, Denno. Yeah, quietly judging, just always behind you. There's only one place where any photo would have been sent, and that came from a certain Rob Green. Anyway, we are back underway and the aforementioned pie has been dispatched. He didn't get a photo, though. That's the disappointing thing. What sort of pie was that, Ian?

47:09Well, it was a beef pie. And I knew, if you pardon the pun, that a certain Claire had her fingers in it when Chapters made that reference because that could have only come, well, two places, Rob Green and Claire to Hair Chapman, who really did delight in that bit of information. but I've got to say I made the mistake of taking the roof off the pie and it just collapsed and then all of a sudden the beef then just seeped out of it it was nuclear hot as well it almost took the roof of my mouth off and I actually then had to write it wasn't thankfully on my notes but it was on where I'd scribbled the chances so I then had to write that bit out again so it wasn't on the commentary notes it was on where I'd made the the goal scorer and such like So it did add to my half-time stress.

47:59It got very, very messy. It got very Lionel. So this is part of the Saturday fun. It's just, can you catch Ian out at certain points?

48:06Ali Bruce-Ball:He has so many sources. Again, if you'll pardon the pun, doesn't he, chappers? He's just got spies. Yeah, exactly. Got them everywhere. Right, before we say goodbye to Claire, we're going to hear a final clip of the most important thing when working with the aforementioned Herr Chapman on a busy Saturday afternoon because he might give the producer the odd signal through the glass. News with Carl Hartley. News next. Alex Norrin, who carded a 65... Frank's 96. OK. Can Chapters get a tea, please?

48:41Ali Bruce-Ball:How many times does that signal get done during a Saturday afternoon? The man drinks a lot. There's a routine. It's coffees to about four, and then he turns to tea. I would say one an hour, at least. Easily. last question Claire before we let you go you know I hope we've given the listeners a real idea of what you're dealing with on a Saturday afternoon do you lose yourself in it do you ever feel the pressure of it you've done it a lot now but I mean if you take yourself back to when you first did that on a Saturday afternoon were you incredibly nervous about doing that? Yeah like really nervous but I knew I wanted to do it so it was kind of like a good nervous because it was kind of like I'd got to where I wanted to be if that makes sense so I was for quite a while I was the broadcast assistant of Saturdays.

49:25So I've sat next to them for years, just watching how they did it. So I kind of felt like I had a good understanding of the show and everything. But it is quite daunting. You forget in the studio how many people are listening and how much it means to people. So then you're just like, oh. I think that's when you feel it and you're just a bit like, oh, don't mess it up. Like never want to be the one that messes it up. But it is so much fun. Like I know it might not sound, people might listen to that and think, oh that just sounds like like you said chaos but it is it is good fun it's organised chaos organised chaos yeah and I should say can I just add that you can add add away Ian paid me a compliment and he is also very good at what he does so it does it does make my life so much easier that Ian is very good at three and you know Ali and John that's the same as well that you are very good at what you do so you do all make my job a lot easier

50:17Ali Bruce-Ball:I think Claire knows exactly what we all all think of her but it is really nice to say it publicly because people just don't see that job. You know, we are on air and people get to hear us and because of Claire and the whole team, the show, you know, often sounds fantastic. But we do all think that, Claire. You are absolutely brilliant at the job and have a good show tomorrow. Don't mess it up. I mean, I might come on. And all the various sessions as well. Can I come on the pod more often just for a little boost when I'm feeling a bit down?

50:44Ian Dennis:I think if you looked, you're right, Claire. I think Ian's arranged some flowers to be brought in. The beauty of a Saturday is that it's a team effort from the producers at the stadium alongside myself to the engineers who are actually at the OB to the studio managers and everybody who works back at base and obviously Claire and a certain Hare Chapman too. I have got to go now as well because there is one phone call I haven't made yet for the day and that is to a certain Mark Chapman so I'll see if he answers.

51:15Ali Bruce-Ball:Okay, speak to you soon Claire. Thank you. Right. We're not really doing the glossary this week, but we love all your suggestions for the glossary. So keep them coming. The WhatsApp voice notes to 08000 289 369 and emails to tcv at bbc.co.uk. One to throw at you here, Denno. So this is me and Paul Robinson commentating at Hillsborough on Tuesday night. Have a listen to this one. There's a goal at Molineux, by the way. My name. Where West Ham are level. Four minutes into the second half. Thomas Socek's header, towering header, six-yard box. Cross comes in from the right. He's unmarked. He heads it home.

51:52Ali Bruce-Ball:And it's Wolves one, West Ham one. I wonder if towering header goes in the great glossary of football commentary if it isn't already in there. But that is definitely what you associate with a Thomas Socek goal. Well, I was going to ask you again, but the play moved on very quickly. Yeah. A discussion. Oh, yeah. A one-man wall. Is it a wall? Is it? Throw that to the floor. It's got to be. Another topic of discussion. Is one man classed as a wall? Depends on the size of the man, I presume. Yeah, we were starting to go down that road in commentary. And so one man, you know, when they just put one man, because the free kick was coming wide from one.

52:23Ali Bruce-Ball:Can one man be a wall or do you have to have two for a wall? Well, first of all, the towering header, that is already in the glossary, isn't it? That's one of the seven T's that we've got in there. Team that likes to play football, throw their cap on it, throw up any bit head, towering header, two good feet, turning into a basketball match, turning into a cricket score. But Robbo's point, I nearly mentioned that the other day because I said, oh, there's only one in the wall. And then I thought, do you go down the sort of like the cul-de-sac of going, well, is it a wall or is it just a brick in the wall?

52:54And then all of a sudden I just thought, no, because I'm going to be talking about that. I'm going to miss the goal or could result in a goal from the resulting free kick. But that's a very good point. Can a wall be a one-man wall?

53:07Ali Bruce-Ball:Yeah, I did start to head down that cul-de-sac. And just like you, I stopped very quickly because I thought this is going to get us nowhere. So answers to that, please, listeners, tcv at bbc.co.uk, and keep the suggestions for the glossary coming in. Just a reminder then, very quickly, Ian, Manchester United Burnley, 3 o 'clock, 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Saturday afternoon, and then don't miss 12 o 'clock Sunday because the atmosphere and the story there in the game, Rangers Celtic, is going to be huge. Ian's doing that with Pat Nevin. And John, John is at Leeds Newcastle, which will be a cracker, which is a commentary on 5 Live Saturday afternoon at 5.30.

53:42Ali Bruce-Ball:and of course Liverpool Arsenal on Sunday at 4.30. So many good games coming your way this weekend. That is it for this episode of the Football Daily. The next one will be Jared Bowen, the football interview. And as for the commentator's view, you can find each and every episode right from the start of the first series on your Football Daily feed.

54:05Come on, somebody have a goal. Emily, could you do me a favour? If you go to my desk in that book and snacks bag, like that tote bag, there should be like a time out or any sort of chocolatey thing you can see. Please. Cheers, dude. Look at you didn't want your apple. All right, judgment much.

54:31Ali Bruce-Ball:He scored goals, lifted trophies and broken records along the way. There it is. It's a day to remember the Wayne Rooney. And now he's got a podcast. Welcome to the Wayne Rooney Show. Twice a week, Wayne Rooney, Kay Curd and me, Kelly Summers, break down the biggest stories in the Premier League and beyond. As much as you'd like to say it, loyalty in football nowadays is non-existent, whether that's from players or managers. Plus, we'll hear the funniest, wildest and most outrageous stories from Wayne's career. The Wayne Rooney Show. Everybody's talking about it. Listen on BBC Sounds.

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From the publisher

John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball talk football, travel & language. They react to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad announcement and discuss Ruben Amorim’s position at Manchester United. Could another trip to Bodø be on the cards in the Champions League? Plus a tricky Clash of the Commentators AND Producer Clare joins the pod to take us behind the scenes on Saturday’s 5 Live Sport! As always, WhatsApp voicenotes to 08000 289 369 & emails to TCV@bbc.co.uk

01:00 Tuchel sorry for Bellingham 'repulsive' remark 06:50 Reacting to the England squad announcement 12:35 Ruben Amorim under pressure at Man Utd 16:45 Other 5 Live commentaries this weekend 17:30 Is another trip to Bodø on the cards in the Champions League? 20:45 John has a rest in Clash of the Commentators 28:25 Producer Clare joins the pod 48:45 A flavour of the Great Glossary

BBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries: Sat 1500 Man Utd v Burnley, Sat 1500 Tottenham v Bournemouth on Sports Extra, Sat 1730 Leeds v Newcastle, Sun 1200 Rangers v Celtic, Sun 1400 Brighton v Man City, Sun 1400 Nottingham Forest v West Ham on Sports Extra, Sun 1630 Liverpool v Arsenal.

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