The Commentators' View: Pink slices & number zones

Aug 22, 2025

Join the lively banter as commentators dive into thrilling Premier League match experiences and the art of storytelling in football. They discuss player's antics, like Alexander Isak's cheeky behavior, and humorous commentary slip-ups. The conversation heats up with a competitive trivia game about iconic footballers and jersey numbers. Plus, they explore new matchday treats at stadiums and the exciting launch of Bundesliga matches on BBC Sport. Tune in for an entertaining mix of football insights and witty anecdotes!

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ANECDOTE

Super Cup Trip And Venice Detour

John Murray describes the UEFA Super Cup trip to Oudinay and sneaking a few hours in Venice during a hectic start to the season.
He calls the Super Cup a dramatic match with a memorable turnaround by Paris Saint-Germain.

INSIGHT

Promoted Teams Need Strong Starts

Ian Dennis says Sunderland's early win and louder atmospheres matter for Premier League competitiveness.
He argues promoted clubs starting strongly helps prevent the recurring immediate relegation cycle.

ANECDOTE

Pink Slices, Pies And Time-Lapse Stairs

Ian recounts being first in the media room queue at the Stadium of Light and eating a spicy chicken with sticky rice before an interview with Richard Masters.
He also made a time-lapse climb of the stadium stairs twice that day.

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John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball talk football, travel & language. They have their say on Alexander Isak and look ahead to the second weekend of Premier League commentaries. Will John’s losing run in Clash of the Commentators ever end? And will the Great Glossary of Football Commentary get its first additions of the season? WhatsApp voicenotes to 08000 289 369. Emails to TCV@bbc.co.uk

01:50 Ian on returning to the Stadium of Light 07:10 Ian makes a ‘horlicks’ of the team news 10:15 Premier League commentaries this weekend 12:20 Ali gets dropped to the commentator’s bench 13:55 John goes Sesko not Šeško 15:35 Sunderland make kit numbers clearer! 17:30 Fulham selling espresso martinis & margaritas 21:40 Alexander Isak ‘behaving like a spoilt child’ 25:25 John vs Ian in a dramatic Clash of the Commentators 33:25 Bundesliga lands on the BBC 37:40 Great Glossary of Football Commentary

BBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries: Sat 1500 Brentford v Aston Villa, Sat 1500 Burnley v Sunderland on Sports Extra, Sat 1730 Arsenal v Leeds, Sun 1400 Everton v Brighton, Sun 1400 Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest on Sports Extra, Sun 1630 Fulham v Man Utd.

Glossary so far: 2-0 is a dangerous score, After you Claude, All-Premier League affair, Aplomb, Brace, Brandished, Breaking the deadlock, Bundled over the line, Champions elect / champions apparent, Clinical finish, Commentator’s curse, Coupon buster, Cultured/Educated left foot, Denied by the woodwork, Draught excluder, Elimination line, Fellow countryman, Foot race, Formerly of this parish, Fox in the box, Free hit, Goalkeepers’ Union, Goalmouth scramble, Good touch for a big man, Honeymoon Period, In and around, In the shop window, Keeping ball under their spell, Languishing, Loitering with intent, Marching orders, Nestle in the bottom corner, Numbered derbies, Nutmeg, Opposite number, Park the bus, PK for penalty-kick, Postage stamp, Put it in the mixer, Put their laces through it, Rasping shot, Red wine not white wine, Relegation six-pointer, Rooted at the bottom, Route One, Roy of the Rovers stuff, Sending the goalkeeper the wrong way, Shooting boots, Sleeping giants, Slide rule pass, Small matter of, Spiders web, Stayed hit, Steepling, Stinging the palms, Stonewall penalty, Straight off the training ground, Stramash, Team that likes to play football, Throw their cap on it, Thruppenny bit head / 50p head, Towering header, Turning into a basketball match, Turning into a cricket score, Two good feet, Walking a disciplinary tightrope, Wand of a left foot, We’ve got a cup tie on our hands, Where the owl sleeps, Winger in their pocket, Wrap foot around it, Your De Bruynes, your Gundogans etc.