DAVID Beckham's revelation that he got himself deliberately booked has caused controversy in the game this week and I must say it seems bizarre that you would admit to it.

I know, as a manager, I would never, ever advise a player to get deliberately booked to miss a less important game and, as a player, it's up to the individual and whether they are cute enough. It happens in the football world but it's one of those things you keep quiet about.

He's used the rules to his advantage but, by admitting it, he's opened a massive debate.

For Sven-Goran Eriksson, it must have been frustrating that he's gone into another game talking about something not related to the match and a player who wasn't even involved.

It's similar to recent times at our club when non-footballing matters were being discussed a lot. You don't want these distractions and I don't think it was the best decision for David to issue a public apology two-and-a-half hours before the kick off either.

What he's done is not too dissimilar to somebody diving for a penalty and Maradona knocking England out of the World Cup with a deliberate handball.

Things like that have been going on ever since the game became professional but David has admitted to doing something that you cannot condone and could bring the game into disrepute. Some people will say winners do whatever is required but it's gamesmanship.

People questioned the foul at the time and, when I saw it, I knew what he had done but, if further action is taken though, it could open a whole can of worms in the future as people try to determine deliberate yellow cards.

Whether he should carry on as captain is a difficult debate. He has done a very good job but he does not strike you as being an out-and-out skipper.

People look up to his ability but you normally look to your captain as somebody who will do your job as manager out on the pitch and he does not fit that mould. In a football environment, you always see who stands out as a captain and he would not be an obvious choice.

It surprised me when he was appointed but, equally, he has surprised me how well he has done. It would be frustrating to strip him of his captaincy over this but, in a world where we are encouraging fair play and looking to set examples for kids, decisions have to be considered.

But whether Sven stands by him or replaces him as captain he can't really win.

Closer to home, I was sickened by the way York City Knights missed out on promotion in the play-off final. From my own experience, I remember just missing out on the play-offs at Burnley one season and it felt like a good season had finished on a low. It was a matter of being so close and yet so far.

In the next season when Chris Waddle was appointed as manager it felt like there was a bit of a hangover and we struggled in the lower reaches. In the Knights' situation, you have to show resolve and next season will be a true test of character.

An example they could look to is when Sunderland missed out on the Premiership after a penalty shoot-out in the play-off final before storming to the title the next season. Similar to Sunderland then, I feel that Knights are in a strong position on and off the pitch in their division.

I'm impressed with how they do things and I hope our relationship continues to develop. I had a nice letter from chairman Roger Dixon the other day congratulating us on our victory over Stevenage, as well as expressing his surprise at seeing my name on the scoresheet!

It's a shame Richard Agar is leaving but I'll be hoping the club and their new coach bounce back next season.

Updated: 10:37 Thursday, October 14, 2004