Two leaders faced their critics yesterday, determined to carry on come what may

Graham Taylor, England football manager: This is a battle for me personally. When you're in trouble you don't look around and you don't make excuses. You get in there and work, son. That's what my mum and dad told me. There will be a turning point. I don't know what, and I don't know when, but something will happen. (William Hill quotes Taylor at 4-7 on to go before the World Cup finals).

John Major, British Prime Minister: You (John Smith) may have overlooked it, but we had an election last year. We won it and you lost it. The score is four-nil in elections recently - in due course it will be five-nil] . . . a little local difficulty - we will get over it and I am getting on with the work in hand. (William Hill quotes Mr Major at 8-13 on to be out of office before the next general election).

(Photographs omitted)