Real Meanings

There are many clichés that footballing commentators use to describe players. They are just that - clichés - as they always are just said to hide what they really think of the player.

I will reveal the true meanings of some of these clichés as and when I hear them during commentaries over the coming weeks. I will start you off with two of my favourites for now:

"He has a good touch for a big man" - This one can have one of two meanings. It will either mean "He has a brilliant touch, but he does look a bit gangly so we won't go overboard with our praise" or "He has an awful touch, but he is 6 foot 3 so we will forgive him being appalling."

"He really does have a big heart" - This one means "He is atrocious, but he will run about like a madman for 90 minutes."