DO I NOT LIKE THAT

I can't imagine that the England U 20 manager, Paul Simpson, will be using many excuses if his team does not get a decent result against Japan in the final group game. England are top of their group and will qualify for the knock out; they cannot be caught, but I know he will expect a high standard, win, draw or lose.
Japan however, needs a win to secure going on to the next round. If they don't get 3 points and Angola beat Cuba then they might be on the way home. England put 7 past Cuba, Japan drew with Cuba and Angola and Japan drew 1-1 when they played. The Japanese manager will be gutted if they make a mess of this.

Some managers have had good excuses up their sleeves when things haven't gone well. Graham Taylor, when England lost to Sweden 2-1, in June 1992 said; "We could have done with not having half-time, but you have to have half-time". Do I not like that!

When Malcolm MacDonald (below) managed Huddersfield Town in November 1987, his team lost a Second Division match against Manchester City 10-1. "At least three of the goals were offside he said".

Terry Butcher, another England legend, managed Coventry in a 0-1 defeat by Wimbledon in August 1991. He said "I'd like to apologise to all the fans who paid good money to watch that. If that game is the future of British Football, I want no part of it."

Airdrie manager, Alex MacDonald (no relation) after a defeat 1-2 against Aberdeen in August 1991 said, "We ended up playing football, and that's not our style." See left.....Hmmm not surprised!

It could be worse; Mike Walker was sacked as manager of Fourth Division Colchester in October 1987, while he was "Manager of the Month".