To criticise or not to criticise – are women’s football pundits too nice?

There are calls for pundits to be more critical, but there is an awareness some comments can affect players’ wellbeing

Aoife Mannion in the MUTV studio. ‘Our pundits are probably still a bit too close to really separate themselves from the players,’ she admits. Pic: Girls on the Ball

Over the past few decades, the role of pundits on TV and across the airwaves has become an art form. Former players are booked daily to sit on panels and as co-commentators to provide expertise and opinion that builds context for the viewer.

Traditionally it has been a male-dominated sector but that is changing. Alex Scott, Sue Smith and Rachel Brown-Finnis are just some of the people we are accustomed to seeing and hearing every day. This has grown in tandem with the increased visibility of the women’s game, now occupying regular broadcasting slots across the week.