Betfair Big Interview: Martin Tyler

The Big Interview / Ralph Ellis / 29 January 2010 / Leave a Comment

"Last time Arsenal played United at the Emirates in the League, it was the game of the season. I remembern interviewing Sir Alex afterwards. He hates losing but he was so caught up in the magnificence of the match that he was pleased to be part of that great an occasion."

Arsenal play Manchester United on Sunday - it's not only the biggest Premier League game of the weekend, it's also Sky's first 3D football broadcast. So it seemed a good time for Betfair to ask veteran commentator Martin Tyler if anything hadn't changed. . .

Hi Martin - have you got your 3D glasses ready?

(Laughs) No, I'll just be watching it with my own two eyes as usual, but it's wonderful to be part of what will be a very significant day. It's extraordinary how much has moved on. Just to make it clear, we did already have colour tv when I started, but the technology has advanced so much, from 405 to 625 lines, then widescreen, then high definition, and now this. Football fits it all so well.

So how long have you been commentating?

It's 35 years, December 28 1974 I did my first commentary. It's been so much fun though it doesn't feel more than 35 months to be honest.

And what was the first game?

Southampton against Sheffield Wednesday in the old Second Division, for Southern Television that's now Meridian. Saints had the Chelsea legend Peter Osgood playing for them at the time but lost 1-0.

Well remembered. Do you keep all your stats and record books?

Sky have a brilliant department for all the facts and figures and I'm very grateful for their contributions, but I still try to check them against my own records. I've got a study lined with lots of hand written stuff of my own, although I'm reasonably computer literate so I've started keeping lots of it like that.

Even that's moved on then. What hasn't changed?

Good question, I guess the microphone back then was one of the old lip mikes and we still use them now, it's a wonderful piece of kit that has not been usurped by modern invention.

You are busy doing your homework now for Sunday?

Yes, although I think it's important to try to get the relevant context for each match on the day. This is a game with a great history, and you have to be aware of past meetings and the rivalry, but the fact is it's more important to get the context now. For instance, I was at Aston Villa on Wednesday night. Arsenal could have gone into this game in front of United, but instead are a point behind. How might dropping the two points affect them? As for United, the intensity of their involvement in the Carling Cup semi-final was huge, and you wonder if that will have any effect? Will it be positive because they won it? Or negative because of the energy levels they used?

You'll watch the tape?

That's essential. I've already seen the full tape of United against Hull last week, I'll watch the City game later, and I've seen Arsenal a lot anyway because of how the fixtures have fallen. Identification is the key part of your homework, you have to get them right in the hurly burly of the match. But I don't watch tapes just to see if I can recognise somebody, you are trying to see how a team played, any little things they do in a game, the set pieces, and the raw physicality of the matches for who might be tired or fresh.

You've been Sky's voice since the Premier League started. Is this the best season yet?

Maybe, although you tend to forget the early seasons - for instance Norwich were fighting for the top in 1992. Manchester United certainly didn't run away with it then - I was at the game when Steve Bruce scored the two goals against Sheffield Wednesday. It's wonderfully open this time. Fifty-one points, 50, 49 the top three, and a rare battle to be fourth that's opened it up too. Now you have Arsenal playing United then Chelsea in a seven day period. It will be a defining week.

Your player of the year so far?

Wayne Rooney is in unbelievable form. For me he's still the kid in the school playground. His appetite for playing the game is unquenchable. He's just a wonderful example from the moment he puts his boots on. He has to be dragged in from the warm-up because it's five minutes he's not kicking the ball. We all said it was a chance to show his value once Cristiano Ronaldo had moved on, and he's been magnificent. I don't have any fears his energy will diminish for the World Cup just because he wants to play. He reminds me of Paul Gascoigne when he was at his peak.

You mentioned the rivalry between United and Arsenal. Will this be as spicy as ever?

Maybe, but I'd refer to the good memories. Last time they played each other at the Emirates in the League was the game of the season, Arsenal won it 2-1 if you recall. I remember being down for interview with Sir Alex afterwards. He hates losing but he was so caught up in the magnificence of the match that there was another side to it. He was pleased to be part of that great an occasion. I just hope all sides will be pleased to be a part of it on Sunday, and there's no doubt that I will be pleased to be there!

Thanks for your time and we've a free £50 bet for a favourite charity

That can go to the NSPCC, and to show no favour I'll back an English club to win the Champions League at odds of [2.7].