David Triesman, general secretary of the AUT, this week attacked any fee differentiation for students attending Scottish universities. But in the light of Scotland's exit from the World Cup, still smarting from the own goal which led to Brazil's 2-1 victory, Mr Triesman's remarks may have a subtext: "The House of Lords has thrown out this proposal twice and the government has reinstated it once. There are times when you should take a 2-1 defeat in good grace and accept your defence got it wrong."