Pondsman

Celtic v St. Johnstone? So, Car Crash radio continues? I might say 'Unbelievable' but it's all too believable given what's gone before. It's really time the powers that be at Pacific Quay realised that the current format only works if they have a talented presenter and knowledgeable pundits. Otherwise a once excellent programme is nose-diving to oblivion.

The article above is absolutely spot on! Big test for the Sportsound editor today. Will the game selected for commentary be the 'big, big' one at Rugby Park, or will we be listening to Celtic v St. Johnstone?

Presence of Richard Gordon for the two Cup quarter-finals on Sunday just emphasises how much the regular Saturday programme has gone downhill since he left. Not mentioning any names, but Kenny McIntyre is a very poor replacement!

Richard Gordon at his usual professional best last night. Had to fill for 90 minutes during the rain break at Hampden with only the usual pundits to help out. Hardly wavered for a moment himself, and brought each of the pundits in at just the right times, to keep listeners informed and entertained in equal measure. How would Kenny MacIntyre have coped? Doesn't bear thinking about, I'm afraid!

I'm afraid Sportsound under Kenny MacIntyre's 'direction' has become what many of us predicted. Almost unlistenable. Because of where I live I don't have the option of Radio Clyde, so Sportsound is the only way of getting coverage on a Saturday afternoon, but the change since Richard Gordon left has been swift and truly shocking. MacIntyre goes out of his way to drum up controversy, be it about VAR or starting an argument between pundits. If Michael Stewart and Tom English having a go at each other is what passes for 'debate', then we are in a dire place. When they extended the programme to 7pm, I looked forward to hearing from real fans, but the punters who actually go to the games get short shrift. The extra time between 6 and 7 is full of more pundits, manager interviews (giving us the usual stock phrases) and music, which is ubiquitously available on so many other radio stations these days. WTF! When Richard Gordon announced that he was leaving Saturdays, I pleaded with the BBC to find someone - anyone - other than MacIntyre to take over. It was already clear from his occasional stints in charge that he was going to be a poor replacement. In fact he is not just poor, he's abysmal. There MUST be someone out there who could do better! Richard Gordon? In the words of Joni Mitchell, BBC, 'You don't know what you've got till it's gone'.

Last Saturday was one of the few times recently when both OF teams were playing at 3pm. before I switched on to Sportsound I had already worked out that most of the 2-3pm hour would be spent talking about them, but even I was flabbergasted by just how much time they gave to it. Maybe I'm just imagining it, but it seems to me that this focus on the OF has got even worse since Richard Gordon left. Having Richard on the Sunday and midweek shows is cruel and unusual punishment - just reminding us of what we are missing on a Saturday. When he left, I begged and begged the BBC to find someone - anyone- else other than Kenny Macintyre, but his appointment was so predictable. He doesn't control the pundits, so discussion on Open All Mics descends into a stramash, with each of them desperate to get their oar in on any given topic. Macintyre is also very keen to create controversy by asking questions of guests in a very combative way. RG often got as much - or more - information from guests by treating them with respect and eliciting answers in a gentle way. We're all aware of which team each pundit supports, but that doesn't excuse laziness, such as not knowing the names of the players in the visiting team (e.g. Pat Bonner). I don't mind them having a bit of banter with each other (Miller and Preston), but Michael Stewart needs to get over himself and realise that his opinion on the topic under discussion is just that - an opinion - and not a fact that needs to be hammered into the skulls of the others. I don't think I need to conclude by saying that the programme has gone downhill since an extremely able and genial presenter was replaced by someone much less able who seems to think that combativeness and controversy makes for good radio.

Just been reading through the last few pages to catch up as I've not been on the site for a while. Like many others, sorry to hear that Richard Gordon is leaving Saturday afternoons. Great level of knowledge and professionalism. Has been the (informed) voice of my Saturday afternoons for many years and I will really miss him. What a contrast to what went before - Derek Rae, who had a mid-Atlantic accent even before he went to the US and Tom Ferrie, a mis-promoted pop DJ. Richard was always well-prepared and very good at handling the bunch of talking heads that now pass for pundits. Reading previous posts, it's clear that we all have our favourites and those we dislike. I can find fault with all of them for one thing or another, but I do prefer those who try to put some enthusiasm into their reports. For that reason, Derek Ferguson is one I don't mind and new boy, Rory Loy, seems to have something about him. Who should be the new anchor? Like so many others, I think it will be hard to find someone as able as Richard. But Kenny McIntyre? Just Noooooooooooo!! In the words of Joni Mitchell, 'You don't know what you've got till it's gone'.

Being realistic, we don't have much of a chance to get above Livi. However, we do have a chance of getting above Aberdeen, which would be satisfying for obvious reasons. Assuming Aberdeen get 3 points tomorrow against Dundee, we need to win tomorrow and get at least a draw at Pittodrie on Sunday to finish above the Dons. So....... .......COYS!!

Also lucky in the ballot for the Dunfermline game. Happy to go along with all the rigmarole of getting into the stadium if it means seeing the team 'live' again. Hope I can remember the way to the ground! COYS!!

Also just renewed my ST. Straightforward procedure. Received the holding barcode email instantly. Hope the proper ticket/card arrives promptly too.