LATEST CROP OF TV PUNDITS ARE A RAY OF LIGHT

ONE famous former manager always had a phrase for a story that he did not like.

“You’re always looking for headlines, you,” would be the response to a story which upset him.

Er, yes, that’s the point. We are looking for headlines and stories.

But this ex-England international saw that as a negative until, of course, he moved into punditry and has been equally critical about his former club.

There has been a discussion this week about whether TV pundits have been too critical following outspoken remarks from Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher (above).

The irony must have amused Neville in particular because, during his time on Roy Hodgson’s England staff, he did get wound up by the media for different reasons. Now he is being questioned.

But surely the reality is that the truth hurts as, in my view, the quality of punditry in this country has never been better.

Carragher’s assessment of Arsene Wenger last week was superb, gauging the view of fans, being respectful and yet honest towards the under-fire Arsenal manager. His assertion that fans have become apathetic is spot on. It is the same on BT Sport with Mirror Sport’s own Robbie Savage among an outstanding list – when Steven Gerrard speaks people listen, and Frank Lampard is terrific.

Lampard speaks eloquently, with insight and intelligence. And there’s humour there as well. Lee Dixon is brilliant on NBC.

Alan Shearer is the most improved pundit. He can be absolutely brutal on Match of the Day, but it is honest rather than gratuitous.

That was the same from Carragher after Burnley’s win over Everton last Saturday, getting straight to the point on the mistakes made by Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane and Ashley Williams (inset). They pull no punches. There are times when Roy Keane or Paul Scholes have seemed over the top and maybe they are jostling for soundbites and headlines.

But they are never dull, they never sit on the fence and the new generation are close enough to the current England team and Premier League players to offer an insight into most dressing rooms.

There is no doubt that some of these guys are a loss to coaching. But management’s loss is definitely TV’s gain.