Stopping yourself from making a mistake can sometimes make things much worse, as Alan Smith found out to his peril.
The former Arsenal striker joined presenter David Jones and Wales manager Chris Coleman in the Sky Sports studio for Super Sunday, and was guilty of a gaffe that left Jones trying desperately to stem the tide of laughter.
Smith had just watched Burnley hold Chelsea – the best team in the country – to a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor, helped by a sumptuous Robbie Brady free-kick.
Don't say Roy Keane didn't tell us https://t.co/xwjNJQPoSr
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 6, 2017
Smith wanted to pay tribute to the Clarets for “going toe-to-toe with the best team in the country”. So far, so normal.
It would have been embarrassing for him if he’d said “best country in the team” rather than “best team in the country”, right? Well, we suppose it would, so he must have been very proud when he stopped himself before completing the sentence.
That was until it dawned on him – and his colleagues in the studio – that he maybe stopping midway through the word ‘country’ wasn’t the best idea. Credit to the consummate pro, who carried on as if nothing had happened. Almost.
Jones, however, couldn’t keep his laughter in check quite as easily.
"Hats off to Burnley for going toe to toe with the best c…" the best what Alan smith 😂😂@SkySports pic.twitter.com/6Ef86hH5U8
— John Pickup (@john_glos) February 12, 2017
This was a game that just inspired hilarious slips of the tongue.
