I’VE GOT PLAY-OFF EGG ON MY FACE...

TIME to make a confession: I turned off Swindon’s game with Sheffield United at 3-0 – when I turned back, it was 5-5! I couldn’t believe it.

People moan about the playoffs. Football is a business but it’s also entertainment. Games like this show why you have to keep the play-offs. The Football League would lose its appeal without them.

Big Premier League games get built-up and often tur n out boring. In the Football League you get games that are end-toend. Even at 3-0 down you’ve got a shout – I should have known better!

Judging from his post-match interview, Swindon boss Mark Cooper didn’t enjoy the thriller that much. It’s why I’m happier being on the media side of football. A manager goes through all the emotions on the touchline. It’s such a pressurised job.

It reminds me of a saying I’ve always hated, ‘Play with a smile on your face’. I could never do that – mostly because I was blowing out of my backside.

You’d maybe enjoy training more than games, because the latter are so serious with a lot at stake. You enjoy wins after, but soon there is another game.

Mark will know his side will have to defend better in the final against Preston. Simon Grayson has a good side and they will start as favourites. But we’ve seen yet again this week how funny the play-offs can be.