I have always stated that the players are the most important people in the game of football. This may appear a rather unnecessary statement to make as it is obvious that without players there would never be a game. However, there are many involved in professional football who would perceive themselves to be as least as important as the players and more than the odd few who would consider their position in the game to possess a deeper relevance.

I was reminded of this sentiment when working on the MNS Show for RTE Television last Monday evening. I have been involved in this show for over a year now and I must admit that while I find it enjoyable and very professional it was only quite recently that I realised how different the show is to most other television productions based on sport. The majority of television shows connected with professional football tend to be very analytical and generally display a most serious outlook towards the game.

Style

The MNS is a serious programme I accept and one that portrays the quality contained in The League of Ireland in a particularly complimentary manner, but it does not take itself too seriously. Well, not in my opinion anyway. I have worked consistently in radio and television in both England and Ireland and I have encountered all types, of people and egos, and I have found that programmes usually assume an individual style honed from the particular skills and personalities of those connected with the programme in front of and behind the camera or microphone, and especially so those in front of a camera.

The MNS Show is unlike some other football shows in that it rarely delves into any deep analysis and consequently those involved are not encouraged to take themselves and their opinions too seriously.

Trap

The trap in many sports programmes is that profound analysis is undoubtedly capable of encouraging an individual to present quite a sombre outlook, which is another, kinder, way of suggesting that some analysts fall in love with their own opinions and believe them to be the only ones of consequence.

This further seduces the more self-absorbed types to assemble an air of superiority that strongly suggests that the game itself depends greatly on these opinions and the person that professes them.