Football Focus Struggling!!!

Back in the day, before everyone had access to all the other channels, Football Focus was part of the matchday ritual before leaving the house on a Saturday. Nowadays, there’s usually a match on at that time anyway, so that’ll be on, and all the “features” Focus used to do about a lower division club or a particular player are made available online anyway, plus there’s all the podcasts previewing the weekend fixtures.

Plus, these “stories” are no longer just covered by the BBC. There is just so much to watch now, it’s no surprise to me that a lunchtime magazine show is no longer prioritised by anybody. I’ve no doubt MOTD figures are way down on what they used to be, especially since you can catch all the goals on MOTD2 in edited format. MOTD has had the same presenter for years.
 
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Piccadilly Day Tripper said:
Employing a woman to present a football show is 'woke' now. I didn't realise women were a minority group?
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She’s also mixed race, gay and quite easy on the eye. And an ex-England footballer with hundreds of caps.

That said, I don’t think she is the best presenter, but that’s not at all why I don’t bother with Focus anymore.
 
I know I'm an old ****, but Saturday afternoons filled with the likes of Bargain Hunt and Tipping point makes me sad. And I know it's because Grandstand and World Of Sport would struggle mightily to fill five hours these days with Sky and TNT owning everything. Football Focus used to be part of Grandstand and then they'd whip off to rallying in Norfolk or something. I do wonder slightly if it's continued presence is part of the Beeb's contract to show Premier League Football highlights.
 
I used to like it when Dan Walker presented it as I feel he is a natural presenter. Alex Scott isn't. She can barely pronounce simple words.

Interestingly Dan Walker highlighted the fact that Football Focus was struggling on Twitter yesterday and highlighted the need for its content to stay relevant. Alex Scott reply was expectedly petulant.
 
FabioPorkpie said:
I stopped watching football focus looooong before Alex Scott took over.
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I did myself but I do tend to give anything with Alex Scott on a swerve. This is nothing to do with her sex or the colour of her skin, I just think she’s crap at it but then her male co-commentators aren’t much better.

The rugby World Cup has had some brilliant female commentators and analysts on, football pundits, both male and female could learn from them.
 
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Can’t remember the last time I watched it, and that includes when the previous presenter was the host.

Same with Soccer Saturday, haven’t watched that in a fair few seasons - basically since the ability to watch every game with iFollow came around.

You could even throw MOTD in there. Very inconsistent when it comes to watching that at the time it comes out on Saturday night.

I’d rather just watch the highlights of games on YouTube without all the analysis. And if there is something worth watching on FF, it’s usually put out as a clip on social media.
 
The phrase ticking boxes seems to triggger some people but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t go on.

Do you honestly think all the previous presenters like Dan walker etc moved aside willingly no they were eased out to fill a quota now that might be right it might be wrong but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

There are women footballers on mainstream tv now that I’ve never heard of ( not the big names) that would never have been on tv before so yes ticking boxes definitely does exist.
 
Btw you are right to single out the rugby World Cup as they have struck the perfect balance and their pundits are excellent.

Maggi in particular is excellent but she’s been doing it for years she was great on the lions coverage.
 
Final score going the same way. Bunny Rabitt Teeth at the helm for second week in row.

Two women and Stephen Warnock on the couch didn't generate much excitement.

Bring back Keown, Crooks and Lawro !!!
 
Norman_Conquest said:
The rugby World Cup has had some brilliant female commentators and analysts on
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I trust you're not including Maggie Alfonsi in that - she contributes absolutely nothing in the way of insight or interesting comment, and sits (stands) there nodding inanely when the others are talking, trying to look relevant ..... and failing.

All the others are superb though - male and female
 
Jedi boro said:
The phrase ticking boxes seems to triggger some people but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t go on.

Do you honestly think all the previous presenters like Dan walker etc moved aside willingly no they were eased out to fill a quota now that might be right it might be wrong but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

There are women footballers on mainstream tv now that I’ve never heard of ( not the big names) that would never have been on tv before so yes ticking boxes definitely does exist.
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It's not ticking boxes though is it? It's attempting to give a fair reflection of the audience and society in general that they represent. Male, Female, Gay, Straight, White, Black, Asian etc.
They haven't employed Alex Scott simply to tick boxes , they've employed her because she has over a hundred caps for England and is a professional and competent presenter.
Some people would like us to go back to the old days of only middle aged white men on the telly.
 
I've stopped watching years ago the timing it's on is when I'm traveling to games. Or if I'm at home am watching the early kickoff why would I want to watch them chat nonsense. I do occasionally watch it on iplayer if they do abit about the boro. But also I think the shows been made for a younger audience like 9-15 age range
 
The Card Cheat said:
It's not ticking boxes though is it? It's attempting to give a fair reflection of the audience and society in general that they represent. Male, Female, Gay, Straight, White, Black, Asian etc.
They haven't employed Alex Scott simply to tick boxes , they've employed her because she has over a hundred caps for England and is a professional and competent presenter.
Some people would like us to go back to the old days of only middle aged white men on the telly.
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You have missed the point I’m not naming names but there is a clear policy of appointing people based on what they are over what they bring to the show.

I don’t care if you are white brown yellow straight or gay if you are a crap I’ll say it and it’s obvious there are toke people on these shows now that are clearly filling a demographic.
 
The Card Cheat said:
It's not ticking boxes though is it? It's attempting to give a fair reflection of the audience and society in general that they represent. Male, Female, Gay, Straight, White, Black, Asian etc.
They haven't employed Alex Scott simply to tick boxes , they've employed her because she has over a hundred caps for England and is a professional and competent presenter.
Some people would like us to go back to the old days of only middle aged white men on the telly.
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That's the issue. She's not a competent presenter. There are far more competent people for the role.
 
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