Danny Murphy has had his say after Noel Gallagher’s surprise appearance on TNT Sports’ Champions League coverage.
The Oasis star and Manchester City superfan was introduced as a co-commentator by the broadcaster for the Citizens’ 4-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon.
Noel Gallagher’s commentary debut was a baptism of fire[/caption]
Gallagher joined regulars Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist in the gantry during the match, as well as appearing pitch-side before kick off to offer his thoughts on his beloved club.
And despite being a regular sight in the crowd at City games, many were shocked to see the music icon trying his hand at commentary.
Some fans took to social media to voice their confusion at TNT’s decision to employ the music icon for one night only.
And it wasn’t just spectators who had an opinion on Gallagher’s media appearance, as former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy also gave his thoughts on the surprising moment.
Appearing on talkSPORT alongside Jim White and Simon Jordan, Murphy was asked if he was worried by the possibility of celebrities taking on similar roles in covering the teams they support.
Having carved out a career in the media after his retirement in 2013, he admitted: “It wouldn’t worry me. It would upset me. I wouldn’t want to hear that.
“Partly from a selfish perspective. Because I know how much work I put in and how difficult it is to try and see things, engage things, spend years watching different techniques and games to try and analyse them.
“So, yeah, that would annoy me. I’ve got no problem with listening to different types of people watching football, pre [or] post [match], maybe even after.”
Murphy added: “As co-commentary, it’s neither here nor there. It doesn’t add much value for me.
“It’s a very difficult job. I know from doing it. As a third one, it’s fine. But there’s not much there you’re going to learn.
Gallagher could be seen chatting to City’s players before taking to the gantry[/caption]
The Oasis megastar was in attendance as the Citizens lost to Bournemouth in their last Premier League game[/caption]
“I’d rather see him before or after the game, giving his little anecdotes about Pep and the players. He gives you something different.
“Some people will likely it because of the novelty. I wouldn’t want to hear it every week, put it that way.”
Meanwhile, Simon Jordan insisted that there is undoubted value in having Gallagher involved in coverage of City games.
The talkSPORT host argued that the Oasis legend’s popularity and emotional investment in the Sky Blues adds to the entertainment when used alongside other experts in the commentary team.
He explained: “Ultimately, he’s culturally significant in peoples’ minds. And Noel’s entertaining, isn’t he?
“And so if he was the second voice on commentary, it wouldn’t work. But his is the third voice. He’s coming in with the expertise that McCoist will bring to it.
“The commentator, the professional presenter or commentator will structure the game, the Sam Matterfaces of the world. The expertise will come in from the Danny Murphys or, in this instance, the Ally McCoist.
“And the third voice, which is the entertainment voice, gives you a different perspective.”
The musician had a close view as his team slumped to a heavy defeat in Europe[/caption]
Jordan was also quick to shut down any accusations of bias levelled at Gallagher’s appearance on TNT’s coverage of Man City.
He pointed to Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher‘s commentary work, with the pair often selected to discuss Manchester United and Liverpool‘s fortunes, where they are club legends.
Jordan said of Gallagher: “I mean, ultimately, he’s partisan, isn’t he?
“So he’s commenting on Manchester City from the point of view of being emotionally invested.
“If you listen to Noel speak, he’s a great student of football. He watches football religiously. He watches his team relentlessly.”
He then argued: “You listen to Carragher, couldn’t get more biased if he tried.
“You’ve got Neville serving out agendas. Everything from the position of the corner flag is the Glazers’ fault if it doesn’t work.
“So you get these voices in the media that are football-centric.”
Gallagher’s commentary debut ultimately proved to be a disappointing affair, as City were well beaten by Sporting despite taking the lead in the fourth minute through Phil Foden.
This prompted the Mancunian to prematurely comment: “I wasn’t expecting this to be so easy,” but this soon came back to haunt him.
Sporting, led by Man United manager in waiting Ruben Amorim, then staged a comeback, as in-demand striker Viktor Gyokeres netted a hat-trick on top of a Maximiliano Araujo strike to record a thumping win.
