‘Is this a common phrase?’ – Gary Neville confuses fans after accusing Tottenham star of ‘having frogs in his pants’
GARY NEVILLE left fans baffled by his bizarre turn of phrase on commentary.
The former Manchester United defender, 49, was on the gantry alongside Peter Drury for Sky Sports during the North London Derby.
Guglielmo Vicario organised his defenders at a cornerRex
SplashGary Neville produced the strange piece of commentary[/caption]
Tempers had already flared before kick-off in the tunnel with the MASCOTS and then again as Jurrien Timber sparked a mass brawl.
And Tottenham were desperate to get in at half-time goalless and allow things to calm down.
So goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was busy organising his defenders as Spurs prepared to face an Arsenal corner.
But Neville made the most of the opportunity to deliver his strange line.
He said: “Look at Vicario. He’s got frogs in his pants.”
The insinuation being that Vicario was very busy and frantically moving around nervously in the goalmouth.
But why he used “frogs” rather than “ants” left supporters watching the match on TV confused.
One said: “Is ‘frogs in his pants’ a common phrase or is this like mini retirement again from Neville?”
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Arsenal ratings vs Spurs as Gabriel is the hero in feisty North London derby
GABRIEL headed in the only goal of the game as a depleted Arsenal snatched all three points in the North London Derby.
Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Gunners players…
DAVID RAYA – 8/10
Commanded his area well, and was a safe pair of hands throughout the game. Another great showing in what has been a spectacular start for the Spanish stopper.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7
Did well from an attacking perspective, charging down the left hand side on various occasions. Solid defensively too against Spurs’ flying right side of Johnson and Porro.
Some would argue he should’ve been sent off for a challenge on Pedro Porro in the first half, but he escaped despite squaring up to Vicario in the aftermath.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
A really good recovery challenge in the first half to deny Dominic Solanke, despite being booked early on.
You can always count on Saliba to put in a solid display, and he didn’t disappoint today with fantastic passing out from the back too.
GABRIEL – 9
A fantastic defensive showing throughout, reinforced with a towering header inside the box to give his side the lead from a set piece (shock).
Has formed an impeccable partnership with Saliba, personified by their heartwarming celebration together after the opener. He’s the man.
BEN WHITE – 6
Gave away the ball in a dangerous position in the first half, with Solanke failing to capitalise and had a tough first half against the quick feet of Heung Min-Son.
Was not able to demonstrate the dangerous right-hand side overlap we saw work so effectively last season, but wasn’t threatened in the second 45.
JORGINHO – 4
Struggled to replace the suspended Declan Rice for this North London derby, whom the Gunners really missed.
A tough task, but didn’t come close to matching Rice’s intensity or ability to drive the ball up the pitch which left Arsenal weak in the forward areas.
THOMAS PARTEY – 5
Struggled in transition with Jorginho alongside him, another player who felt the full force of no Rice and Odegaard.
Not fast enough with or without the ball, and will need to perk his ideas up for City next week.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Looked like a bright spark with his running and forward movement, but was let down by his end product or lack thereof.
Worked really really hard throughout, just looks short of confidence in the last actions.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Dropping deeper into more of a midfield role than he’s used to today, it should be noted that he did a job for the team when they needed him.
Not the flying efficiency machine we have seen him be from the bench, but his versatility will be needed this season it seems.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Didn’t make the kind of impact on the game we are used to seeing from the brilliant Bukayo Saka, and looked less of a threat without Martin Odegaard to combine with.
Did some really good defensive work nonetheless, and delivered the perfect corner to claim the assist for Gabriel’s opener.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
A good header in the first half was saved well by Vicario in the spurs net – actually made more clearances (3) than he managed shots on target (2) in the first 45.
Was a handful for the Spurs defence, but largely nullified by the pace and power of Mickey Van de Ven and Cristian Romero.
That is a reference to Neville’s infamous comment to the Diary of a CEO podcast that he goes on holiday – also known as taking “mini retirements”.
Another viewer wrote: “Cheers Gary.”
A third added: “What does that even mean? Is it a Manchester thing?”
And a fourth typed: “I get that he hasn’t looked particularly composed from set pieces… but Gary Neville saying Vicario looks like he’s ‘got frogs in his pants’ because he’s instructing his defenders where to be… whilst funny… feels harsh! Every goalkeeper commands his defenders pre corners!”
Incredibly, a tweet from May references Neville mentioning “frogs in his pants” again – implying he may well have used the unusual phrase on commentary at the end of last season as well.
Vicario did not organise his defenders well enough at a corner during the second half, though.
He got crowded out in his own six-yard box as Gabriel made a run on Cristian Romero and headed powerfully into the back of the net as Arsenal took the lead.
