THE World Cup is beginning to hot up and the same could be said about the battle for the TV remote control.

Just like football tactics, there are different ways to tackle this tricky situation.

There is the foot down, it-only-happens-once-every-four-years approach where you will watch every ball kicked in Germany.

Then there is the softy, softly you-can-watch-Emmerdale-if-I-can-watch-Iran-against-Angola. Both have their drawbacks.

However, I thought I had come up with the fool-proof, everyone's-a-winner beauty.

I introduced a points system where the more obscure game I am allowed to watch, the more points my long-suffering wife, Lucy, clocks up.

And of course, points mean prizes which, at the end of the World Cup, can be cashed in for lots of lovely goodies.

It worked a treat during Euro 2004 but, seeing as the World Cup is a long, drawn-out affair, it's all getting a bit strained.

So last night I waived my rights (I had little choice in the matter) for a night of video catch-up of Desperate Housewives, Grays Anatomy and West Wing.

I didn't want to watch Switzerland against Ukraine anyway and I saved myself five points in to the bargain that converts as a big bar of chocolate.

It was only one night away from football and I am sure I could cope with that.

But didn't quite go to plan.

For instead of a night of American dramas we had five tapes of S4C the Welsh equivalent of Channel 4.

I never knew the Welsh would have a say in the World Cup but, I can tell you, it has cost me more points than watching Togo!