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7th September 2017
11:32am BST

"But I thought he was talking nonsense when I saw him on TV. If you are talking nonsense, you need to back it up with facts, which I didn’t see or hear."https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_UK/status/893870463251820547 Before going any further, it's worth looking at that sentence again - Robbie Savage has emphasised the importance of backing up opinion with fact. If you have ever been subjected to Savage's "analysis" of a football match, you'll know that a coherent argument, supported by evidence and reason, is in very short supply. The former Wales midfielder has arguably never said anything enlightening in his entire time as a football pundit, he is the antithesis of Gary Neville or Jamie Carragher, who coherently explain their views. Yet, Savage is employed by at least three different media outlets. They know his brand of nonsense generates interest. Savage's opinions may be undercooked and poorly articulated, but he's loud and a "character", so that's all that matters. https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_UK/status/869325732836671488 Savage continued his bizarre criticism of another football pundit, seemingly oblivious to his own shortcomings. According to Savage, Dunphy's insistence on the importance of playing Hoolahan, a creative player in a team devoid of creativity, is "bizarre" and his presence would have made no difference to Ireland's performance in the 1-1 draw with Georgia. Savage is basing this opinion on the fact Hoolahan doesn't play regularly for Norwich City, not on the player's performances for Ireland.
"Eamon Dunphy suggests a guy who can’t get into the Norwich side every week is good enough to win an international game on his own... that's just nonsense. Wes Hoolahan is nice with the ball, but the emphasis on a 35-year-old from that particular pundit was just bizarre. I am not having a go at Hoolahan because it's not his fault, but if Eamon Dunphy talks about him all the time and thinks he can pick out the perfect pass, surely he would be starting for Norwich every week. Anyone can go on the radio and TV and hammer people, it's the easiest thing in the world to do, but back it up with facts. I talk nonsense at times, but what I saw on Irish TV last night…wow."For what it's worth, Dunphy never suggested Hoolahan could win a game on his own, just that he makes the rest of the team better because he is neat in possession and creative. However, Savage clearly doesn't understand nuance.
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