BBC is getting some World Cup flak but Wayne Rooney could be the punditry ace up its sleeve

View 3 Images

The bottom line is that if you fancy watching a particular World Cup match, you are going to tune in, regardless of whether the TV hosts and pundits are in the States or in Salford.

Whatever part of the world he frowns in, you know what you are going to get from Roy Keane.

It does not matter whether it’s New York’s East River behind the Irishman or the River Mersey. In fact, for all the praise of ITV’s al fresco studio and all the claims it has given the channel an edge over the BBC in World Cup coverage, does anyone else find it a bit of a distraction?

As Keane and Gary Neville engage in a predictable difference of opinion, there is a chance the backdrop of Lower Manhattan is more interesting. See how many yellow cabs you can spot.

See if you can recognise any landmarks. How many cars are going across Brooklyn Bridge?

For those who have done the tourist thing in Manhattan, is that the Pier 17 shopping and entertainment complex in the bottom left of the picture? Let’s face it, when the pundits are papering over the significant cracks in their knowledge of teams who are light on Premier League players, the scenery offers more fascination.

And in the end, the likes of Keane and Neville then watch the match in the same way the likes of Rooney and Olivier Giroud watch the match. On the telly.

View 3 Images

Watching a match in the pub with a mate or two, has anyone moaned about Gabby Logan not being in one of the host countries? Has anyone in your household got the hump that Rooney can be home in half an hour after passing judgement on Canada versus Bosnia-Herzegovina?

Talking of Rooney, his analysis of a couple of incidents in that particular game was very insightful. It is fair to say he was not a natural when he began his punditry journey but he is growing into the job.

While he might not get out to the tournament, Rooney could well be a punditry ace for this World Cup. And the BBC’s roster of presenters and reporters features consummate professionals.

View 3 Images

The same is true of ITV, with Mark Pougatch, in particular, excellent in his role as the main anchor of the coverage. Across the board, a familiar failing is a lack of insight into the specific qualities and weaknesses of national teams that do not have many players overly familiar to British football followers.

But that has always been the case. Television producers would be better off insisting their pundits do more research rather than making sure they have a nice backdrop.

Is it a deviation from the BBC's norm not to have a studio in the country - or, in this case, one of the countries - hosting the World Cup? Yes, it is.

Does it make any significant difference to the quality of its coverage? Absolutely not. And let’s face it - it’s the football we want to see, not the view of Manhattan.