Peter Drury's commentary and Gary Neville's analysis have become integral parts of football coverage. But how did punditry reach this point? And what does the future hold? This three-part series delves into the world of football punditry, exploring its growth, challenges, and the changing landscape.

The Rise of Punditry

In the early days of football, punditry was relatively simple. Just a few minutes of analysis after the matches. But as the sport grew, so did the need for in-depth commentary. Sky Sports led the way with innovative studio analysis and multiple camera angles. Now, pundits are expected to offer detailed and insightful opinions, backed up by data and analytics.The numbers speak for themselves. From just 18 First Division games broadcast on ITV in 1991-92, the number of live football matches has skyrocketed. In the 2025-26 season, there will be 1,864 live games per year across various channels and competitions. This increase in coverage has led to a more competitive industry, with pundits vying for viewers' attention.

Early Days of ITV

In the early 2000s, ITV's coverage of football was quite different. A 70-minute show would dedicate 25 minutes to the main opening game, with basic analysis and no stats. The rest of the show would feature a second main match and brief highlights of other games. It was a time when mainstream football coverage wasn't ready for deep, tactical chat.However, a year later, ITV launched its Tactics Truck, manned by former Chelsea midfielder Andy Townsend. This was a step in the right direction, but the idea was widely derided at first.

Sky Sports' Innovation

Sky Sports took punditry to a new level with its studio analysis and imaginative experiments. Player Cam allowed viewers to follow an individual player during a match, while FanZone offered an alternative commentary from fans of the two opposing teams. Monday Night Football, with Gary Neville's detailed and insightful analysis, set a new standard.Other pundits and co-commentators have also raised the bar, in line with the rise of data and analytics. But with increased coverage, the question remains: has football caught up with the demands of the viewer?

The Transition from Player to Pundit

Former players face a challenge when transitioning from playing to punditry. They need to put in the hours of research and preparation to offer valuable insights. Dave Edwards, the ex-Wales and Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder, emphasizes the importance of getting your foot in the door while still relevant and then proving your merit over time.Not all former players take the same approach. Jamie Carragher, for example, puts in hours of research, while Gary Keane may not. But both are popular and good at what they do.

Research and Preparation

In today's digital age, pundits have access to a wealth of information. But that doesn't mean they can get away with a lack of research. Paul Scholes' lack of knowledge about Fenerbahce forward Dusan Tadic during TNT Sports' coverage highlighted the importance of being prepared.Ex-Wales midfielder Dave Edwards spends an average of a day and a half preparing for an EFL game if he lacks knowledge of either team. This involves watching clips on Wyscout, researching data on websites like Transfermarkt and Sofascore, and seeking out staff, players, or local journalists.

The Challenge of Balancing Content

The rise of social media and YouTube influencers has added a new dimension to punditry. Sky Sports often trains a camera at Neville and Carragher during big matches to capture their reactions. But this can blur the lines between punditry and club association.Broadcasters face a challenge in finding the right balance between catering to different tastes and providing quality analysis. It's not easy to come up with something fresh during an average football week when there is so much content available.

The Future of Punditry

The punditry game has changed almost beyond recognition in the last decade. With the BBC's status as national treasure/national disgrace, there is an opportunity for diversification. Kelly Cates, Alex Scott, Kelly Somers, Kate Abdo, and Reshmin Chowdhury have all been touted as possible candidates to succeed Gary Lineker on Match of the Day.Punditry will continue to evolve, and the programmes they appear on will also change. Des Lynam, Alan Hansen, and Brooking have given way to Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Ian Wright. Neville and Carragher's tipping point will come at some point too.Keeping viewers happy in the digital age feels more difficult than ever. But punditry still matters, and it will continue to play a crucial role in football coverage.