Neville provides a helping hand to enhance viewing

CO-COMMENTATORS - who needs them? They are just there, like the weather, taken for granted. We switch on to watch a game, and there they are.

It is easy to forget what it was like without them. That was when televised football mostly meant edited highlights.

Only the FA Cup final and occasional World Cup matches were screened live and in full. Producers preferred highlights for one good reason. A single voice would leave gaps for the viewer to watch without being prompted, and those pauses were when the editor could get to work with his razor blade.

It couldn’t last for ever. Producers went to the United States, working or on holiday, and took the chance to see how the Americans did things. And so, like many other habits, the co-commentator crossed the Atlantic and became a permanent figure here.

Although even then, he stayed under control at first. When I worked at the World Cup in Spain, my other half was the excellent Ron Atkinson, a shrewd observer at the highest level. Between us in the commentary position was a knee-level box which controlled both microphones.

At any given time, only one could be active. When Ron had a point to make, he gave me a tap and I switched his mike to be live.

We could not both speak at once. In due course that went the way of other good systems.

Now we have two commentators free to chime in at will at any time. Inevitably, some are better than others. If all the number two has to say is “absolutely,” he would do better to say nothing. Thankfully, there are some thoughtful exceptions. Alan Smith, Andy Hinchcliffe and Jamie Carragher all make useful contributions that leave the viewer a little wiser.

But at his best, Gary Neville sets a very high standard. The qualification is necessary. Neville has a trick of doubling up on his opinions. “A wonderful, wonderful goal.”

And the all-purpose adjective, “fantastic” will never be laid to rest while Gary Neville is within reach of a microphone. Irritating as they are, these are blemishes we put up with.

Neville brings to the role a portfolio of playing experience not many can match, and he has been a diligent learner.

His entire club career on the pitch was in the colours of Manchester United, including a significant period under Sir Alex Ferguson.

As an England right-back, he won 85 caps under five managers all with different philosophies and playing styles.

A short tenure in charge of Valencia in La Liga was not a happy partnership. As a nation we are not natural linguists. Generations have not bothered to learn. Why do so when the rest of the world can speak English? Until you end up at somewhere like Valencia where they don’t.

If that was Neville’s obstacle, at least lessons will have been retained and absorbed for future use. When Neville is on duty for Sky Sports, it is always worth paying attention. There will be illuminating insights that can be surprising. Shepherding an opponent on the touchline Neville has revealed that he was not always seeking to win the ball.

His objective was to manoeuvre the player into a position from where he might shoot, but with no real angle to score. He doesn’t tell us if it always worked, but it was a fascinating glimpse into the mental approach of an exceptional performer. Subscriptions to satellite channels do not come cheap, but they can be value for money if they can take the viewer into otherwise unknown areas. It is an added attraction if you rate Gary Neville as a wonderful, wonderful cocommentator.