Viewers have complained that Euro 2024 pundits are competing with each other to generate clicks with over-the-top commentary and analysis.
Last night Alan Shearer tore England’s lacklustre performance to shreds throughout the majority of his duties as co-commentator, before giving a blistering post-match analysis that the team had ‘no energy, no guile’.
But fans branded his grating criticism of the England squad and manager Gareth Southgate as exaggerated, with the one-time star striker becoming fixated on the poor display with his anger preventing him from commentating on the action.
Online users said that pundits were forgetting their professionalism while covering England matches, with some suggesting that producers needed to rein Shearer in.
A media expert suggested that pundits and channels were keen to use the Euros as a chance to boost their social profiles, mirroring the so-called ‘Roy Keane’ effect in which Sky Sports have used his soundbites to produce viral online content.
Alan Shearer launched into a rant about England’s lacklustre performance in last night’s Euro 2024 group match against Denmark
“I mean where do you start? No energy, no guile. There’s so much more to come from those players out there.”@alanshearer has given a brutally honest assessment of England’s draw with Denmark 🗣#DENENG #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/FYEVpqxSCq
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 20, 2024
‘It’s not good enough.’
Micah Richards is not impressed with England at all in that first half.
Watch live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. #BBCEuros #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/B8zMJrJUXZ
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 20, 2024
The so called ‘Roy Keane’ effect has seen Sky Sports use his often memorable commentary in viral clips
Gareth Southgate reacts after the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Denmark and England last night
Following England’s 1-1 draw last night, Shearer lamented: ‘It wasn’t good enough. Listening to Kyle Walker’s interview, we’ve all been there as players, yes you do try and take the positive, and yes it is tournament football, but it’s our job and the coaches’ job to dissect what’s gone wrong, and there’s plenty to look at there.
‘I mean where do you start? No energy, no guile. There’s so much more to come from those players out there.’
The so-called ‘Roy Keane’ effect has seen Sky Sports package clips of his outspoken analysis and opinions that often go viral.
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England were ‘awful, sloppy, fatigued, lifeless and tepid’ against Denmark say the pundits as they put the boot into Gareth Southgate’s hapless team
The former Manchester United player is known for not mincing his words when criticising players and their performance.
In a recent tirade, Keane slammed Manchester City striker Erling Haaland for acting like a ‘spoilt brat’ following the player’s reaction to being substituted against Wolves last month.
After last night’s England encounter, while anchoring for ITV Sport, Keane blasted that England players were missing ‘bravery and courage’.
In a honest assessment of defender Trent Alexander-Arnold’s capabilities in midfield, he said: ‘He’s come up short in the two games. It was a big ask for him and he’s not up to it.’
Another frank commentary of England’s campaign so far came from Shearer’s BBC colleague and former defender Micah Richards.
Discussing Gareth Southgate’s side, Richards said: ‘It’s not good enough now.’
Calling the team ‘lethargic’, he quipped: ‘I don’t know if they are being told to play like this.’
But some feel the memorable quotes and soundbites from commentators are being deliberately confected to produce viral online content.
Micah Richards also didn’t hold back on his criticism of the England squad following last night’s draw
One user wrote: ‘It is always amusing when England, as always pre game get hyped like yesterday completely OTT, then post game all down and in reverse gear. All professionalism goes out of the window when England are discussed by the media.’
‘The usual insanely OTT reaction to a crap England performance, led by the blood pressure junkies on the BBC’, another said.
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German fans revel in schadenfreude as they taunt Southgate’s ‘very average’ England slot777 side after dire 1-1 draw with Denmark and insist ‘we’re not losing any sleep’
And another angry viewer wrote: ‘Can a producer not tell Shearer to shut the f*** up?’
‘I love BBC pundits in particular, Shearer forgetting to sit on the fence with Southgate. The guy is useless. His commentary indicated this. Questioning his tactics and player choice. But as soon as he’s back in the studio, it’s Gareth this…’
‘BBC should be ashamed of the commentary and punditry. I think they all have very short memories of what it was like to be playing and experiencing constant criticism. It wasn’t great but unhelpful comments such as they don’t play like they do for their club. Not helpful at all.
Speaking to MailOnline, publicity expert Mark Borkowski said that during Euro 2024, two terrestrial broadcasters are under pressure to retain a big share of significantly larger audience than those enjoyed by paid-for channels throughout the year.
He said: ‘It is a very competitive arena where there is always going to be another man or woman who wants your spot.
‘Because both terrestrial channels are competing for a very large audience.’
For pundits, he says, this period of heightened national interest is a moment to make their mark and expand their audience.
Richards, a former Man City defender, branded the team ‘lethargic’ and lacking ‘energy’ or ‘aggression’
‘There are some people who are very much using those personal channels as their way to build their audience.
‘People see this as their moment to create an impact. It is a sort of survival of the fittest.’
But he added that this can ‘outrage people who are not hardy football fans’.
And brutal assessments of players and managers are what most audiences expect, he added.
‘That’s the sort of critique that they expect. To talk about football you’ve got to have a point of view.’
The Euros and World Cup are also patriotic events about which people feel strongly and create a sense of national identity, he said.
‘The definition of patriotism is being seen through England football. This an occasion where people can be seen to be patriotic. It’s a fantastic opportunity for people to exploit that.’
BBCAlan ShearerRoy Keane