NEW BT ANALYST David James has criticised fellow pundit Gary Neville, suggesting the former Manchester United man cannot be impartial while working for Sky.
Neville combines his role as a Sky pundit, while also coaching England, and James has questioned his wisdom in doing so.
“Gary Neville has a conflict of interest,” he told the Second Captains podcast. “He’s giving opinions on players that he’s then going to have to go and coach. And therefore, I don’t think he can be impartial.”
While James says he hadn’t watched Neville as a pundit and described him as “a wonderful lad,” he remained highly skeptical about whether he could properly fulfill his duties on account of these circumstances.
“We can review his video stuff and see how many times he’s criticised England players. I’d imagine not at all.”
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In addition, speaking about his own punditry, he said he was looking to focus on tactics rather than the personalities on the field.
“There are many pundits who can tell you the individual history of players down to girlfriends’ names. I’m more interested in how individuals play and positioning.
“This weekend, we were giving [Per] Mertesacker a bit of a beating because of his positional play in the Arsenal defence.
“When you’re creating a masterpiece, you have to focus on individual brushstrokes, so I’d like to think I’m bringing more of an analytical approach to the BT punditry squad.”
Moreover, the former England international described how he was determined to avoid being influenced by others in anyway.
“I wouldn’t even read my own articles [for The Observer]. I’ve got a view on things and I like my view to be pure. Reading other articles might sway my view on things.
“I’ll watch a lot of people. I’ll form my own opinions based on what I see. Not what other people say.”
He continued: “If a guy kicks the ball wrong, he kicks the ball wrong. There’s no argument. If there’s a bad player, then it’s subjective, and it’s almost like a character assassination.
“Even with Mertesacker, I don’t know the guy, but it was obvious from the way he was playing that he had a fear of pace. And this will impact on how Arsenal will challenge for the title.”
James also believes his former team, Liverpool, won’t be affected significantly should Luis Suarez leave them.
“He’s a fan favourite, but I think Liverpool will be a better team without Suarez in it.
“That won’t please everybody, but I don’t have many friends to start with.”
Neville is a good pundit.
When I first heard he was giving Andy Greys job I tought he would be terrible. To many people didnt like him.
But he shows he has great knowledge of the game and makes good viewing. Looking forward to seeing Jamie Carragher on sky. Should be good with him an Neville. Now just to get rid of Jamie Rednapp and everyone will be happy.
Wonder is calamity James a tad put out that Neville is successful and Mr James hasn’t done too well?
Neville and most non United fans would agree is becoming one of the best pundits out there.
Suck it up Mr James.
Whats he on about, Gary Neville is a” top top” pundit…oh Jesus Christ, I’ve just gone Redknapp, full Redknapp! And you should never go full Redknapp! Ever!
I have to say i thought Gary Neville would be very biased as a pundit, just another manc to boost the unofficial man u channel. He was in fact a breath of fresh air and is easily the best one on sky.
I detest the worm that is Neville (Pool fan). But to say he is impartial is like saying the sea is wet. Of course he is. Carragher will be the same. That tool Shearer is also. Its a rare thing to get a successful player that becomes a pundit and can be deemed impartial.
think you are missing the point Barry with the greatest of respect. The impartiality that James is talking about is the conflict between Neville’s two jobs and not a Man Utd ting
Harry or did someone say you were Paul in a previous life?
Carragher has said plenty about other oppossition but he will now be a pundit. So do we now label his as dirtbag?
End of story, there isn’t a story only a little music box of hate in your head sir.
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He’s never watched Gary Neville and yet says he’s biased?i watched Gary Neville last season and he spares nobody!
What a gimp ! Stick to the Playstation James ..
Neville is a good pundit.
When I first heard he was giving Andy Greys job I tought he would be terrible. To many people didnt like him.
But he shows he has great knowledge of the game and makes good viewing. Looking forward to seeing Jamie Carragher on sky. Should be good with him an Neville. Now just to get rid of Jamie Rednapp and everyone will be happy.
shut up David James u fool … stupid statement
a fu**ing moron … he gets a job for a half arsed show and already tinks he is great …
Say it all when I comes out with that an then admits that he has not watched him ,what a fool
Wonder is calamity James a tad put out that Neville is successful and Mr James hasn’t done too well?
Neville and most non United fans would agree is becoming one of the best pundits out there.
Suck it up Mr James.
Whats he on about, Gary Neville is a” top top” pundit…oh Jesus Christ, I’ve just gone Redknapp, full Redknapp! And you should never go full Redknapp! Ever!
I have to say i thought Gary Neville would be very biased as a pundit, just another manc to boost the unofficial man u channel. He was in fact a breath of fresh air and is easily the best one on sky.
I detest the worm that is Neville (Pool fan). But to say he is impartial is like saying the sea is wet. Of course he is. Carragher will be the same. That tool Shearer is also. Its a rare thing to get a successful player that becomes a pundit and can be deemed impartial.
Neville is the best pundit on television. James was saying his duties with England cause him to be impartial, not his United connections.
think you are missing the point Barry with the greatest of respect. The impartiality that James is talking about is the conflict between Neville’s two jobs and not a Man Utd ting
James is right… Look at Neville’s past comments about Liverpool & how much of a true united fan he is too
He’s a dirtbag end of story
Your the dirtbag
Harry or did someone say you were Paul in a previous life?
Carragher has said plenty about other oppossition but he will now be a pundit. So do we now label his as dirtbag?
End of story, there isn’t a story only a little music box of hate in your head sir.
You people are really stupid… I’m not pauljohnson I WAS stroked jammer
I support liverpool & I’m from Dublin, not Chelsea & London
Do I need to draw you idiots a diagram?
No need for a diagram, its just a circle with Liverpool inside and nothing exists outside.
U still haven’t replied to Carraghers comments and why they are now not relevant to this arguement/.
“And this will impact on how Arsenal will challenge for the title.” – It is not the 90′s or early 00′s anymore.
Ahhhh ere Jamie rednapps a complete tit!! With his “top top player”