Buck stops with boss

Last updated : 11 September 2006 By The Merry Lion
Nigel Spackman
Spackman: Running out of time
Time may be running out for Millwall manager Nigel Spackman after his side slumped to a 1-0 defeat against a manager-less Brighton side who were forced to play for most of the game with ten men after Richard Carpenter was sent-off in the first half.

Although the defeat was The Lions first at home this season, the team have yet to pick up a point away from home and only won one game in the League so far. The manner of Saturday's performance led to calls for Spackman to leave but the manager is looking to ride the slump out and is hoping to turn things around before its too late.

"We've got to look at ourselves and ask if we are doing things the right way,2 he said after the game. "I think I am but I can understand why some people think I should still be working at Sky.

"It will take time for the new players to gel and managers need longer than seven games. I think I will be given longer but I know why the fans are booing.

"But there are no excuses when you play against 10 men for an hour. Up to the sending off we were by far the better team. After that the players thought we did not have to work so hard.

"It's a squad game and now we need to stand up and be counted. Things are not right but we've got to stick together."