Hughes 'surprised' by Becks

14 April 2012

Wales manager Mark Hughes today refused to condemn David Beckham after the England captain admitted he deliberately got himself booked during Saturday's clash with Ben Thatcher at Old Trafford.

But Hughes, who is preparing for his last match in charge against Poland at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow, was surprised any player could produce such clinical thinking in the heat of a World Cup qualifier.

Beckham claimed he was aware his ribs were damaged after an earlier clash with the Wales left-back and decided to make a challenge on the Manchester City man which would ensure he was booked and ruled out of tomorrow's game with Azerbaijan in Baku.

Having already got one booking in the campaign against Austria, Beckham wanted to sit out the match with Azerbaijan rather than a more important qualifier with Poland or Wales next year.

But Hughes said today: "It surprises me that in the reality of a game and the hurly-burly of a game that you can think that clearly. Is it that easy to be that pre-meditated?

"If it was done for the reasons being claimed, it is his decision.

"But at times suspensions do impact on you further down the line in a qualifying campaign, and we have been hurt by that in the past.

"It is not something that you indoctrinate your players to do but at times that can happen."

Some Wales players have privately voiced the view that Beckham's actions, considering he and Thatcher had already had one dust-up, could have provoked the City player to retaliate and also get himself into trouble.

Hughes said: "I am sure that no-one went to deliberately hurt anybody - Ben has already said as much - and there was no malice in the challenge.

"I don't think it is something that we should get too upset about."
The manager and the team have come in for criticism since the 2-0 defeat, including from a candidate to take over from Hughes, John Toshack.

Hughes responded: "We were disappointed with the result, but on too many occasions people do not take into consideration the quality of the opposition.
"We found it very difficult to get a foothold in the game because we were up against England, a very, very good international team at the moment. One of the best around.

"Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say we were not good enough to beat them - that happens in football. It was not for the want of trying, it was the reality of the game. That's what happened.

"Now against Poland we have an opportunity to make an impression against another very good side, that's our aim."

Hughes, who could have Cardiff defender Rhys Weston at full-back with Robbie Savage returning to midfield, said: "Criticism will always be directed at the team and myself because at times people are wise after the event.

"It is easy to criticise when you are not actually in there trying to do your best for your country from the position you hold.

"It goes with the territory, but on Wednesday we have the chance to do something about it."

He added: "It has been a problem for us to win the second game of a double header, and we have just played in a game which has seen us use up so much energy.

"But arguably this game was always the more important because Poland were more likely to be the team we were going to have to overcome to gain a play-off place so in reality this game is the more important."

Hughes will return to Blackburn full-time after tomorrow's game, and admits his farewell at the Millennium Stadium will be emotional.

He said: "I do show my emotions and I have put a lot of time and effort into this, my staff have.

"The players have backed me with immense time, effort and commitment during my time as manager so there will be a point when it all comes to an end and it will be a sad day for me.

"Things have to move on and it is important that the side are still in a position to qualify. That's what we are gearing up to.

"I leave a structure in place. From where we were to where we are now it is like day and night, chalk and cheese.

"Now it is a very good job for whoever has the chance to take over. There wasn't that many quality candidates when I threw my hat in the ring five years ago.

"But when you see some of the names who seem to want to take the job, maybe that shows I have done a good job to move it forward."

The Football Association of Wales will start the selection process after the match, with former Wrexham and Swansea boss Brian Flynn confirming he is on a shortlist of three to replace Hughes.

Toshack and Ian Rush are believed to be the other two, although Gary Speed could reveal his hand after the Poland match to give the FAW the opportunity to maintain the work already put in by Hughes.

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