IS it possible that between now and August when the 2007/2008 soccer season begins that the football pundits on the BBC's Match of the Day can study the English dictionary and learn more descriptive words other than the much over-used "fantastic''?

The likes of Messrs Shearer, Hansen and Lawrenson usually describe every goal scored, save made, tackle, clearance and performance as fantastic.

Could they not learn to use, for example, brilliant, outstanding, impressive, memorable, superb, splendid, terrific or wonderful among others and just ration themselves to just one fantastic per programme?

My footballing friends have also noticed the monotony of how often this word is used and we wonder if Mr Shearer and colleagues did not listen to their English teachers! Perhaps the BBC can loan them a dictionary each!

Gardening programme presenters are also culprits and we hear that anything they grow, cultivate and admire is simply fantastic.

Another request in connection with football. Can the manager of a Premiership club who is often interviewed on TV and Radio Solent please utter clichés other than (for example) "we had a mountain to climb'' and "my boys played their socks off'' as well as "when we got that equaliser I was over the moon'' and "our winning goal was the icing on the cake''?

Others include (when a club is struggling) "we can see a light at the end of the tunnel'' and "the way things are going, it could go to the wire''.

Regarding fantastic' and cliches, perhaps I admire the English language too much!

WILLIAM SCOTT, Portswood, Southampton.