The Bigger the lie, the more they believe

6-0-6

6-0-6, the nation's self-proclaimed 'favourite football phone-in' on BBC Radio 5 Live has become a tiresome listening experience over recent years.

Part of the problem is the frequency with which it is on, often four times a week, leaving callers repeating each other's points, or apparently desperately trying to come up with the most ridiculous points to appear unique and different.

This is minimised though when Gabriele Marcotti hosts the show, usually alongside DJ Spoony or Mark Chapman. Marcotti was in particularly fine form last Sunday, aggressively forcing callers to get their point across, and challenging their opinions by counter questioning.

This is the fundamental problem with the phone in; half the callers have no point to make and simply want to hear themselves on the radio, and the other half have often illogical and invalid arguments to make.

Therefore it is essential that these views are challenged, and callers probed to prove that they know what they are talking about. 606 often reminds me of the election scenario I have mentioned before in this blog, the public dress up supposed deeply held 'opinions' when in reality they are often shallow clichés.

Alan Green

Talking of 5 Live sports, Alan Green has gone significantly down in my estimation in recent years. Having used to been a huge fan, I have come to realise that his over opinionated monologues during a game can often hamper the description and enjoyment of the event.

True, they can often add some humour and flavour to the game, but too often he appears to rant and rave about a subject he may know little or nothing about. It takes fellow pundits Graham Taylor, and last weekend, David Pleat, to dare to argue with the way Green viewed certain decisions and prevent the usual polemic.

I will say that Green gives games a 'big game' feel, and that when he does his actual job of commentating he can be very good at it. I just wish the moaning, whining and slating of a talk show host could be left out of it.

Mike Ingham is the best commentator at the station, and gets this balance spot on, giving great insight to the game but also with reasoned and balanced opinion, admitting when he does not know enough to give comment on an issue.