Ex-players should coach, although there is too much of an emphasis on that too.

A coach needs to be able to understand and communicate a higher technical understanding to his smaller but more focussed.

I disagree. Being a good player doesn't automatically mean they'll also be a good coach. There's…

I've always thought Andrew Mehrtens wouldn't make a bad commentator

Hmmmm... I remember Mehrts (with Justin Marshall) doing a segment for "The Golf Show" a few years back. He always seemed to be trying too hard to be that "funny guy" that we all heard he was. They appeared to…

A coach needs to be able to understand and communicate a higher technical understanding to his smaller but more focussed.

Which in turn permits the assumption that being a player allows one to develop;

i) In depth understanding of the game
ii) The ability to communicaate effictively

The former only…

A coach needs to be able to understand and communicate a higher technical understanding to his smaller but more focussed.

A commentator needs to be able to articulate his thoughts to a wider audience, and does…

None taken

but seriously... they'll let anyone post at public address these days

None taken.

Would you rather ex-players commentate or coach ?

I've always thought Andrew Mehrtens wouldn't make a bad commentator, and some ex-cricket players are good. It's not a qualification in and of itself though, it's more that they…

Ah yes I remember you! Tall fellow. Glasses. Uses long words. Where have you been my good man?

PS congratulations on the column.

but seriously... they'll let anyone post at public address these days

I play…

This is so true. I actually found it…

I can’t speak for HG, but there is no need to be playing, or having recently played, sport to a top level to be able to write about it. In fact in this country there is far too much reliance put on ex-players in the MSM.

Ian Jones, for…

I really appreciate your sports blogs

Thanks!

do you play / participate in any sport yourself?

Interesting question. No I don't.

I find it fascinating that media agencies hire ex-sportsmen and women to be commentators, because very few of them are good. they may be able to notice subtleties of…

(I used to write a lot of music articles / reviews despite never being a musician and if you don't play sport I don't see that preventing you from writing about sport).

I'm a…