Let's Talk Squash - SUSPENDED

mark · Prolific Contributor Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 66

Might just my own personal opinion, but i`m watching the PSALIVE BO final and almost want to turn off the sound after the first game.
"Lincou plays a shot down the wall, greg counters, lincou with another good length, greg goes short....."

I can see the shots being played. Usually the commentating is great on PSALIVE, but gawain brairs seems to think he is speaking to a radio audience.

I like it when the commentators talk about tactics, or anything other than a stupid shot by shot dictation.

Even when Andy and John talk about sharing sandwitches, it`s much more entertaining.

Who do you think the best squash commentator is?

Malcom and Peter have to be up there.

squish · Prolific Contributor Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 95

I can't stand talking over the match, it's distracting. Like any good sports commentating, "color" should go in during the breaks, and one announcer should describe the action, or both should be quiet. My favorite commentator is Phil Liggett, who covers the Tour De France. One rider can be ahead for the last 5 minutes, which everyone can see, and he can talk nonstop but still make it more dramatic and exciting. The problem with Adrian is that he talks about everything but the action that's going on, although I think he's getting better as he understands the game more. Robert Edwards is still by far the best, even though many don't like his style.

Calsquasher · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 3:47 am Post subject:

I totally agree with you and I had the same problem with Robert Edwards for a long time. If a guy hits a crosscourt, I do not need to be told he just hit a crosscourt. That's why I'm watching it, so I can see it for myself. My other problem is them talking over the entire point. Take a tip from the tennis guys and don't talk over the points. Its distracting. We're there primarily to watch squash, not listen to you talk. Oh, and Chris Robertson, Ramy is well past 18 and Gaultier in his mid twenties. Stop referring to them as "boys."
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bendi36 · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:51 am Post subject:

I like wael el hindi
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zz-top · Newbie Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Vienna

Bendi: i don't know if wael el hindi is the best commentator, but i have to admit it was very entertaining when he commentated: "xy forces the other player to an unforced error"
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etern!ty · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:06 am Post subject:

No psalive coverage on the US open?
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marko · Prolific Contributor Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 144

Its terrible that there is no psalive coverage from the us open - Will someone say why ? then having no squashsite coverage to back up with - We missed Matthew beating Ashour and no one will ever see it.

As for commentary. The worst commentator in the history of Squash - WISPA TV Ian Robinson - someone please give that man his P45 now. I could do better than him. His research is Nil, he misses the most important rallies - its as if he's not commentating on the action and is just rambling in a darkened room.

Robert Edwards makes me turn off the TV also but he's at least setting a standard.

Adrian is very good but he can ramble sometimes about something away from the match in progress, he did say something at the British Open about there is no time between points so commentary has to on top of the points, Malcolm Willstrop is a god and number 1 for me, James Willstrop and Nick Matthew are both excellent.

I must admit I didn't like Gawain's style at time but then at other times he was great - I need to see him a few more times before I decide.

El Hindi is great and Peter Nicol (but we haven't seen Peter for a while).

and then psalive usually have a range of different pros come in and most of them are really good.

Lucas · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 3:50 pm Post subject:

After downloading some of the Classic Matches from PSALIVE my vote for best commentator goes to Jonah Barrington.

s matthew · Newbie Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

Marko, I think I've seen that the US Open is on Sky later this month...so we should see Nick beat Ramy then! Laughing

marko · Prolific Contributor Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 144

Yes Jonah is a top man his comm was brilliant - why they replaced him with the self proclaimed Voice is beyond me

Can I stand watching the match on Sky with him commentating ? As it was only a semi, won;t they concentrate on the final anyway ?

Pedro · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 8:47 pm Post subject:

I like Allan Thatcher and Martin Heath, although I wish they would be quiet when the players are "communicating" with the ref's. So often we hear laughter or booing from the crowd but not what the players said to stir it up.

The worst commentator by far is Charles DeSainte-Marie.
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eme2512 · Contributor Joined: 05 Oct 2007 Posts: 11

yeah that BO final was a bit funny x]

as you mentioned, that style really makes a lot more sense on the radio when you aren't actually watching exactly whats going on.

I find Malcom quite amusing sometimes when he predicts something correctly; the "not to brag, but you can see how it played out exactly as I said it would" type line! And yeah any of the pro's themselves do a fine job on commentary as well.

seshadri · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:17 am Post subject:

Gawain Brairs : Lincou forcing an unforced error from Gaultier !?
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mark · Prolific Contributor Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 66

The thing that bugs me a bit about the Alan Thatcher/ Martin Heath combo is I would rather hear Martin than Alan. And Alan usually talks all over him.

I love the line in the 2003 SS final where Alan says something to the effect of
"power is doing more talking than the both of us"
to which martin replys
"well, not you alan"
......(a brief silence follows..)

I also think its funny when El Hindi talks about girls. Or Willstrop makes comments about El hindi and his girls.

Pedro · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 2:17 pm Post subject:

I remember that comment from Heath and I thought it was funny too. No comentator will be perfect I guess but I still think Thatcher/Heath is the best combo in the biz at this time.
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marko · Prolific Contributor Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 144

Yes at the Liverpool Open Alan talked all over James Willstrop as well which is a shame as James usually is excellent.

I think my list is:

1. Malcolm W
2. Jonah B
3. Adrian
4. James/Nick Matthew
5. many other PSA players are all good
6. Mathew Syed BBC doesn't know the game enough
7. Alan T
8. Anyone else
-998 Robert Edward
-999 Ian "WISPA" Robertson

Marro · Prolific Contributor Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 77

During the BO final - with Lincou at 3:0

swiftfoot · Prolific Contributor Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 81

Alan Thatcher is Mr Cheese. Quotes like "David Palmer's chisled features set in grim determination" and "David Palmer bouncing around court like a Kangeroo on Viagra" All highly amusing but for the anti cheese brigade avoid Alan at all cost!!

Funnily the combination of Thatch and Jonah at Super Series 2001 worked somehow. Jonah (who is brilliant in everything) with his measured comments after something interesting has happened seemed to work well with Thatch who tended to over elaborate with his superlatives. "Classic squash Jonah, Can I borrow one of your spare hips Jonah??"

The man Thatcher is a born entertainer!!

Not heard too many others but I understand Martin Heath and some of the players are good.

GOB · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 2:05 am Post subject: Oh no he's back

I caught the Super Series finals on cable recently and was dismayed to hear the return of the "vice of squash" Rolling Eyes

I thought he had retired.

I also watched BO Final with Gwain Briars and thought he was good. The "forces an unforced error" comment was fanatastic. All the best commentators balls up.

nyc squash · Prolific Contributor Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 100

Awhile ago I downloaded the 2005 Bermuda Open match between Shabana and Willstrop, with commentary by Alex Gough and Peter Nicol. The two of them gave the best commentary I've heard anywhere: good observations about what was happening on the court, good background about the players, a few interesting anecdotes, and all done unobtrusively -- no sense they were ever straining for something to say, and none of the pointless "play-by-play" description heard on the BO final. PSA live would do well to put them to work on a regular basis.

marko · Prolific Contributor Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 144

Can we start an online petition against Robert Edwards working on TV Squash - he totally spoils it !

Not as bad as Ian "makes a glass eye fall to sleep" Robinson for WISPA though !

GOB · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:39 am Post subject:

marko · Prolific Contributor Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 144

Joey was excellent I agree - I loved being able to cut the comms out when Robert was on

B.V.D · Newbie Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 7

I was thinking of starting a topic about the BO final when I came accross this.

I don't like to make negative comments about people too often but Gawain Briars! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? No wonder that match was a free download.

What does Gawain Briars actually do anyway?

Adam Hildred · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 10:49 pm Post subject:

I didn't like Gawain's style particularly.

I've found Wael El Hindi surprisingly good!
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