TO those of us who wake up to Talksport come rain or shine it was disappointing they failed to secure the rights to provide World Cup coverage.

But we should have known that a radio station with the outspoken Mike Parry at its helm, would dream up something. What exactly does a sports channel, that can't afford the licence for the planet's biggest football event, do during World Cup month?

Easy. Provide "totally unofficial, totally unauthorized coverage". And do your best to advertise it as just that. Talksport was a laughing stock a couple of years back when it was discovered that it was providing supposed 'live' commentary from a hotel room.

Now they are proud to boast that their words are coming from a man watching a monitor in London. With their 'synthetically generated crowd noise' they even suggest that their coverage is superior because there is more atmosphere than at the actual games taking place in the Far East.

Whatever next? Perhaps if England go a goal down against Argentina, the Talksport commentator will bring on Steve McManaman or provide a 'generated super goal' from Michael Owen.

Oh yes, things are much better on Talksport. It's no wonder the stadia are half empty - everyone's next to the wireless.