Football commentator Clive Tyldesley has slammed Rio Ferdinand for his Merseyside derby commentary and likened him to Ali G.
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Everton draw 2-2 with LiverpoolFerdinand's commentary savagedTyldesley likens him to Ali GFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
On Wednesday, Darren Fletcher led TNT's commentary team alongside Ferdinand and Ally McCoist. After the 2-2 draw between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park, Tyldesley criticised Ferdinand's "oh my god" soundbites and compared the ex-Manchester United man to fictional character Ali G – who was famously quite dim on television.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT CLIVE TYLDESLEY SAID
He wrote in his substack: "If the essence of football commentary is to capture the mood of an occasion, TNT’s 3-strong attack on our senses nailed it. It was all of the above. The three amigos each caught the fever in rashes. As Rio Ferdinand profoundly remarked, 'Oh my God, Oh my God'."
He added: "Ally McCoist is one of the most naturally engaging communicators I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. He has that fetching knack of sounding like someone you’d just love to have a pint with. (And he is that someone, I promise you).
"But last night he sounded like he was already at the bar with a couple of mates and didn’t want to be disturbed. When ‘2 becomes 3’ on the commentary gantry, their exchanges are inevitably littered with name-checks and private jokes. Their audience are made to eavesdrop on their intercourse like outsiders. We feel like we are listening to their podcast. And last night Statler and Waldorf were joined by special guest Ali G.
"Oh my God. Oh my God' is not quite enough."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Tyldesley has been a commentator for 50 years so he knows a thing or two about this line of work. Perhaps Ferdinand can heed his advice the next time he takes up the microphone.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?
It remains to be seen if Ferdinand will respond to Tyldesley's criticism of his commentary skills ahead of his next TNT appearance.
