Phil Clarke - leaving Sky

[gingerjon]

Not too sure about the graphic, mind

 

[Dovster]

Being replaced by Sam Tomkins maybe?

[Leyther_Matt]

“Legendary”

[Phil]

I actually don’t mind Clarke but Baz and Tez set my teeth on edge, please can we get rid of them? Pretty please?  I’ll be good, honest 

[Lowdesert]

Good guy, Phil Clarke.  Wish him all the best.

[Gerrumonside ref]

I will always remember the time he turned up to a match dressed like Captain Birdseye minus the beard!

Good luck Phil

[DoubleD]

I've always liked Phil Clarke, he picks up on game particulars that often elude the less educated on the panel/commentary team. He also doesn't over dominate discussion unlike some others, but makes pertinent points where required.

I know he gets heavily criticised in some quarters, unfairly in my view. He has some wacky suggestions/predictions which no doubt Wilkin will take over the mantle for. 

Disappointed to see him go and not the likes of Barry, Terry and Bill Arthur who are the real dinosaurs

[Tre Cool]

Great news, gets right on my nerves. Spouts total drivel.

[M j M]

By no means the biggest of Sky's commentary problems. Bill Arthur, Terry and Barrie in that order are the priorities.

[hunsletgreenandgold]

47 minutes ago, Dovster said:

Being replaced by Sam Tomkins maybe?

That would be my thinking. Although, will be interesting to see just how much Tompkins is used as he still lives in Southern France and doesn't appear to be in a rush to move back to the UK. 

[JohnM]

The rumour (that I have just made up) is that he is going to C4/BBC/etc., joining the board at Leigh/.....

[dkw]

But whos going to tell us which team is number 1 in metres made during the 33rd minute, when its wet, on a Thursday, in June, when the moon is on the wane and the breeze is like a kiss from an angel....

[Dave T]

Clarke is far better than some of the others, they've been named by others. 

I think he has looked unhappy with his role for a while and he seemed to get fewer appearances. 

I actually think Carney, Clarke and Wells were a decent trio.

 

[DoubleD]

3 minutes ago, Dave T said:

Clarke is far better than some of the others, they've been named by others. 

I think he has looked unhappy with his role for a while and he seemed to get fewer appearances. 

I actually think Carney, Clarke and Wells were a decent trio.

 

Yes I've sensed he's been frustrated in recent times, particularly when he's been talked over by those with a bigger voice, who often are less informed/knowledgeable. It's felt like he's been marginalised somewhat in the coverage

[Bradman Better]

If they could rely on Brian the Irish winger, Jon Wells the English winger, and Sam Tomkins the English full back, then Sky will be cruising smoothly.

Bill Arthur does a good job. Then all Sky would need would be replacements for Barrie and Terry.  James Graham would be a great hire, but he is enjoying himself too much in Australia, especially now that Fox League has decided to hire him back as commentator. Tony Rea would be excellent, but I suspect that he has returned to Australia. 

Edited December 20, 2023 by Bradman Better

[Tre Cool]

12 minutes ago, DoubleD said:

Yes I've sensed he's been frustrated in recent times, particularly when he's been talked over by those with a bigger voice, who often are less informed/knowledgeable. It's felt like he's been marginalised somewhat in the coverage

I find it hilarious people actually think Clarke's informed and knowledgeable.  I guess it explains why he's lasted so long but he's like a parody of an informative presenter to me.

[Bradman Better]

2 hours ago, gingerjon said:

Not too sure about the graphic, mind

I didn't notice Phil doing a lot of spearheading over the past three decades. Did anyone else see it happening?

 

[Dunbar]

4 minutes ago, Tre Cool said:

I find it hilarious people actually think Clarke's informed and knowledgeable.  I guess it explains why he's lasted so long but he's like a parody of an informative presenter to me.

He is a former Great Britain Rugby League captain, Great Britain team manager for 5 years and has a sports science degree.

I can understand if people don't like his style of punditry but I can't see how he could be described as lacking knowledge of the sport.

[gingerjon]

13 minutes ago, Dunbar said:

He is a former Great Britain Rugby League captain, Great Britain team manager for 5 years and has a sports science degree.

I can understand if people don't like his style of punditry but I can't see how he could be described as lacking knowledge of the sport.

The issue I have is that he's obviously not daft and there are obviously things he wants to explain - and even gimmicks he uses that would actually be useful.

But he is let down by two things - related issues. He needs someone there who takes it as seriously as he does and someone to sort out the opinions that are helpful and those which are just numbers. Sky's coverage is entirely fixated on blokes bantering and so none of his ideas are ever really developed but then they are never allowed to me.

Even the margin meter was a genuinely useful way of showing how the score was relative to what you might expect - and yet it just became a rapid joke because nobody on the Sky panel is allowed to pretend to have brains, they've all got to be seen to be mocking the brainiac.

[Damien]

I know he has his knockers but he is far from the worst in the Sky commentary/pundit line-up. Its a low bar granted.

[Tre Cool]

50 minutes ago, Dunbar said:

He is a former Great Britain Rugby League captain, Great Britain team manager for 5 years and has a sports science degree.

I can understand if people don't like his style of punditry but I can't see how he could be described as lacking knowledge of the sport.

I can see he should have knowledge but he's terrible at expressing it if he does. He's also not likeable at all. Stevo was annoying af but i couldn't help but like the guy, you could really feel his passion for the game at least.

Edited December 20, 2023 by Tre Cool

[Leyther_Matt]

Cadbury’s will be glad to get the Milk Tray man back full-time, at least.

Bring back Eddie & Stevo I say (which probably speaks volumes about Baz and Tez…)

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

3 hours ago, DoubleD said:

I've always liked Phil Clarke, he picks up on game particulars that often elude the less educated on the panel/commentary team. He also doesn't over dominate discussion unlike some others, but makes pertinent points where required.

I know he gets heavily criticised in some quarters, unfairly in my view. He has some wacky suggestions/predictions which no doubt Wilkin will take over the mantle for. 

Disappointed to see him go and not the likes of Barry, Terry and Bill Arthur who are the real dinosaurs

Wacky suggestions that often prophetic though 

E.g. when everyone else was j*zzing themselves about Wires phenomenal start to the season this year he offered a word of warning for them.....called them fragile or something after they'd been battering the likes it Leeds by plenty 

Genuine shame to see him go for me  

[sam4731]

Good

[StandOffHalf]

My favourite Sky panellist. Sad to see him leave.

Jenna and Jon are good, but I think the other Sky voices are really wearing on nerves. They desperately need a new and passionate lead commentator and to drop the dribble from Baz n Tez.