Rio's been working on tv for a while now, ITV for the world cup, BT in the champions league etc. What do we make of him? I like his punditry personally, he's pretty eloquent, not too rash or emotive, speaks well and generally backs up opinions he gives with defensive insights from experience. Not quite as in depth as Gary was but he hasn't had the sort of platform for that yet.
Rio as a pundit
- Thread starter Parry Gallister
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Not seen much but he doesn't come across as biased or having a polar opinion. Some good insights but mostly sounds like he is giving an interview..
He's quite good, but as you've said he's no Gary, so he's probably gonna have to settle for a club like Espanyol.
Better than I expected. I expected him to be a bit of caricature, like McManaman and Robbie Savage have been on BT, but he's probably the best pundit on that godawful channel.
I really got time for him as a pundit, think he's always come across well in interviews.
Rio was one of my favourite United players, so I find myself trying to like his punditry.
Most of the time thought I just feel like he just, states the obvious, and has no real unique perspective of a game.
Most of the time thought I just feel like he just, states the obvious, and has no real unique perspective of a game.
he seems pretty alright, dunno why but I think he could be a good manager, seems like someone who must have so much respect while being funny as well, players would love him and thats good for starters..
I like him. Better than most.
I want to see him bring back that merked program he made, or even his video diaries.
As for him as a pundit, he does alright. Not great and not poor
As for him as a pundit, he does alright. Not great and not poor
He's great. Probably the best BT have.
Better than their cast of some hot chick, Horncastle, Hargreaves and that frenchie. Urgh.
Even in his playing days, he came across as intelligent in his interviews.
To be honest, football isn't all that a complicated sport. You can't have 10 unique views on a well taken goal or a different insight to a last ditch tackle. If you have a look at an analaysis of about 100 different segments in a game, the Uniqueness you crave will only be evident in a handful.
Good footballing man is Rio.....Good pundit, certainly a lot better than Scholes.
Well Rio has a personality, so that's a huge advantage.
Yeah but, usually Rio will give a well articulated view on a particular passage of play and when it comes to Scholes, the most he can come up with is, "Umm....Get the ball to Rooney"
Wasn't too hard. The rest are shit.
Just watching him on the Big Narstie now. Such a likeable guy. Why's he keep saying "I was like raaah" though? He's not 20 years old fresh outta London 
I think he’s generally very good, and I like his analysis, comments and anecdotes. I think his first punditry gig was for the BBC during the 2014 World Cup, and I was impressed.
The only exception is when he defends Mike Ashley because Sports Direct sells his Five clothing brand, although Richard Keys (Rafa should spend his own money on transfers) and Andy Gray are both worse there.
The only exception is when he defends Mike Ashley because Sports Direct sells his Five clothing brand, although Richard Keys (Rafa should spend his own money on transfers) and Andy Gray are both worse there.
That's some exception though. Parsing his opinions due to commercial interests. Prefer Carragher's straight up club bias.
Agree with everything. I understand the Mike Ashley bit, so I can't hold it against him too much. Still, it leaves a bit of a sour taste in the mouth, and I can't imagine what Newcastle fans thing of shite like that.