Arsenal legend Alex Scott is the bookies favourite to be the host of Match of The Day next season after Gary Lineker’s contract extension did not include the programme he’s hosted for 25 years.
The former Gunner is already part of the BBC family having led several shows, yet not for the first time has faced online backlash being accused of only being on the short list because of her gender and race.
While most broadcasters won’t admit it publicly, several appointments have been made over the years to tick various PR boxes.
Of course, I agree that a person should be hired based on their skillset and not what they look like and if that was the sentiment behind the likes of Joey Barton’s stance then fine. Yet it’s wrong to assume that females can’t offer anything to the product or that there are not positives to having as much different representation of people as possible on the screens.
It can only be a bonus if a young girl is inspired by having another role model to relate to. Many have them and we have seen the numbers in that demographic grow.
Some women, without question, have been employed based on gender and it’s not sexist if you’re not a fan of a male or female’s body of work.
For example, Eni Aluko has her critics not based on gender or colour of skin but quite simply because she is a poor pundit who makes a lot of mistakes.
Yet she doesn’t reflect a whole gender no different to Alan Shearer being dull doesn’t mean other males in the studios can’t be charismatic.
It’s unfair on the likes of Alex Scott for it to be assumed the only merit her vacancy would have been a corporation agenda.
In reality, after playing right back she’s worked hard to learn a new craft and master it. Even more difficult with every milestone met with accusations that she gets preferable treatment.
While still playing, she studied for a degree in Broadcasting and Journalism. She worked her way up taking minor roles with the BBC and Sky Sports before reaching the level of punditry at World Cups and on Super Sunday.
While some will point to Football Focus getting cancelled under her watch, that was a dated concept that struggled to compete with other content you can get on demand.
The biggest compliment I can give her analysis is that when she speaks about Arsenal, I don’t see gender or race.
Shouldn’t that be the case in 2024?
Dan
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Quite agree Dan particularly not seeing gender or race but instead a good broadcaster
Women have been played and watching football for decades. My mother went to Highbury with her brothers in the 40’s so we are more than capable of understanding the finer points in 2024
There are several accomplished presenters who would do a good job. Whoever it is, isn’t it the job of the pundit to give an opinion and not necessarily the presenter?. As Lineker has presented the programme for so long and is extremely opinionated – much to the Beeb’s annoyance – I can’t remember what it was like before
Now watch all the typical sensitive, low confidence, paranoid, low self esteem misogynists cry about her even being considered to replace Gary Linneker.
Woke this woke that…
Absolutely the wrong person for the job. Ratings will go down there also
🙄
And your reason is…?
I bet it’s: Woke this, woke that, DEI hire blah blah, etc..
😊
Lineker will be missed because he had personality. Can that be replaced?and hiring a non controversial, no make waves woman presenter as a safe alternative to another opinionated bloke, is woke, isn’t it?
The subject as far as I can see is separating from the most important point, which is, who is the best placed to take the job rather than positioning a ‘woman presenter’ as a safe alternative.
As one of the few women who comment on JA, I would far rather the most appropriate presenter got the job, rather than place emphasis on their sex.
I don’t know if you follow MOTD but it might be useful to point out that the BBC cannot act like a wild card and Lineker chose to disregard the rules of working for them on numerous occasions. The BBC is supposed to be neutral, but of course, Lineker voiced his political opinions which rendered his position with the corporation at opposite ends from time to time.
I am largely ambivalent about who gets the job, but so far, there is a leaning towards the view that Alex will get the job only to make up the numbers in the diversity department from what I have read so far.
If she is the standout candidate, then she deserves it but really, this should not really be discussed in this day and age. The job should be awarded on merit and merit alone.
People like Barton are weaklings and look for any reason to vilify anyone who is more talented than them.
Here’s the thing. There is a clearly a liberal agenda to replace men, particularly if they are white, with people of a different demographic. This is the case across many walks of life and is advocated fairly aggressively across many media. The BBC is also left/liberal leaning in this respect and by no means neutral. Any considered criticisms about certain female presenters are avoided in the legacy media which then means that more extreme perspectives like those of Barton’s will have traction in some quarters.
As for the ladies in the article, Eni Aluko, is not a great pundit and has made some poor comments in public. Alex Scott is fairly capable as a presenter but I doubt many would consider her a standout presenter outside of the BBC at this time.
First and foremost, talent should be key but I remember a young and raw Arsenal player who became household name and a very successful pundit. He wasn’t actually very good at the beginning, so while Alex Scott may not be your choice (and neither am I saying she’s mine as I like Chapman) she has experience and played the game. She deserves to be in the frame at least.
As for an agenda to replace white men, I think that’s a bit dated now – like Joey Barton.
Let the best person get the job but you seem to be suggesting that there is discrimination against white men. It’s laughable. This article only came about because Jermaine Jesus got the heave ho. He was being groomed by all accounts to take over MOTD and while he’s definitely a man he’s not white.
I bet Joey Barton will be an avid watcher.
We all know what a big fan of women in football coverage he is don’t we.
Please no
She’ cannot even get through 2 sentences without stuttering.
Cannot believe you are actually endorsing her and anyone above in the comments following your lead 😂
If you want to be woke Dan then there is only gabby Logan ,who knows her presenting.
Please go on countless other news outlets to what fans want ,belive me it’s not her
MOTD will be gone within 6 months if you get your wish
Laura Woods would be a good choice ?
I’m impressed that she’s a qualified (degreed) journalist & broadcaster, so deserves a shot at the host role. but could Alex keep the likes of Richards, Murphy & Shearer in check?
How about the Chancellor Rachel Reeves,
we can all see what a great job she’s doing can’t we. (NOT). 🤣🤣🤣
Polotics? Really?
FOOTBALL SITE ALERT
Admin Pat,
I notice you have removed a third post from me. It seems nobody can say anything in any way negative to you, without you spitting out your dummy.
No doubt you’ll deal with this post in the same way.
It seems like you would do well in the government, as they seem to want to stop freedom of speech.
What has this once great country come to.
Sad, really sad.
DEREK, what freedom of speech has this government or AdminPat stopped you from having, as you seem to have something to say in every article?
Classic 👍
But true SueP!! Just asking!!
Ken1945
If it wasn’t for the fact that Derek has an anti Arteta theme, i could be mistaken for thinking dear Jon Fox was has a double 😊
He’s a bit of an attention seeker I think Sue. Or possibly like some of the rest of us, doesn’t have much better to do with his life.
Jax,
If being an attention seeker is giving an opinion, then yes guilty as charged.
But if that’s the case, then that goes for everyone on here.
Of course people want attention, why else bother sending in comments otherwise.
I just give my opinions, and if people don’t agree with them fare enough. In fact I welcome the response’s, it’s nice to have the chat.
I’ll be off now to my empty life, which Jax seems to think I have😢🤦♂️.
Ken1945,
Firstly the Government is not stopping me from having an opinion, I was just saying with what you see going on in this country, that it seems you have to be very careful what you say these days. (Hurt feelings and all that).
And although Admin Pat, is not stopping me from having my opinion. She is constantly on my case, warning me that she will put me into moderation as she put it.
In fact if you scroll down she’s given me a final warning.
Yes my feelings on Arteta are well known, and maybe I do come across a bit strong sometimes. But so what, if I don’t like what he says after a game I’ll call him out on it.
I’m a fan and that’s my right, and when you hear some of the rubbish that he comes out with, he’s insulting every fan out there with his comments. (The fans can see it, so I don’t think he should try to pull the wool over our eyes). Were not stupid.
But every fan has the right to except what he says if they want, (and good luck to them).
Admin Pat, acts like I’m attacking fellow followers on this forum. That’s clearly not true, as when people disagree with any of my views and there are some out there (surprise), then they normally let me know with a response, which is fare enough.
But at no time during our comments to each other got personnel, neither should they. Were all adults here after all, and if you can’t have at times quite frank response’s to each others comments, well I think that’s sad.
So, I’ll end this now with an apology to anyone out there who I may have unintentionally offended, that’s certainly not my intention.
But no doubt I’ll probably ruffle a few feather’s in future comments. And I’ll also give an apology in advance of that as well.
I’m quite a nice person really.😉👍
DEREK.
You seriously are trying to wind me up. I am not here to listen to your bickering, and if you aim one more comment at me you will be put in moderation.
Talk about football, this is your last chance.
I wonder how Jon would respond to DEREK?
Pat would be tearing his hair out 😂😂
I expect he’s preparing this season’s panto right now Ken. Hope he’s well and not upsetting too many bloggers.
Jax,
Could you please clear something up for me, who is this Pat that Ken1945 is referring to.
Presumably AdminPat, but really you should be asking him DEREK.
Jax,
Yes your right, I should be. I had brain freeze again, silly me.
Jax
With the emphasis being on HIM 😉
Ken1945,
Who is the Pat you are referring to in your piece.
Is it Admin Pat?.
DEREK, just click on Pat’s name and you’ll read all about HIM (not her!!).
I’m pleased we sorted out you not being silenced by anyone.
I hate the sound of silence, but it was a damn good record!!
Now, back to football and the fact that North London is RED for both the men and the women’s team s👍👍
DEREK,
YES KEN was talking about me.
Now tell me why you are so interested in me and Why are you still not talking about football. Just reply to this and forget I exist and stop talking about me.
Capiche?
Admin Pat,
I responded to you like you asked, but it’s been removed for some reason.
Can you tell me why, for as far as I know I didn’t say anything wrong.
In fact I apologized in my post. So I don’t know what’s going on.
DEREK, I have completely opposite political views to you, but this is not the site to discuss them.
It’s a football site, let’s keep it like that!!
Ken1945,
I haven’t got an allegiance to any of the political party’s, in fact I wouldn’t trust them as far as I could throw them. A big reason why I don’t vote, a complete waste of shoe leather.
But the two things that spring to mind that you could be referring to were meant to be humorous.
But if I’ve offended you in any way, I apologize.
And in future I will steer clear of political jests.
When I was lucky enough to be at David Dein’s launch of his autobiography, the presenters were Ian Wright and Alex Scott.
Both of them carried themselves with professionalism and humour.
The audience of Gooners loved both of them.
I think she would be a great Ambassador for the club and also a great MOTD presenter.