Europa League - Arsenal vs FC Koln Thu 14 Sept 20:05

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger with an upbeat pep-talk before our European campaign kicks off.


'We don't calculate that this is a way to qualify for the Champions League,' Wenger said at a Wednesday press conference ahead of Cologne.

'It is not the best chance but one of the opportunities. I came out many times saying the best way to do it is the top four of the Premier League.'


That's the spirit. Actually winning a European is not as important as coming 4th so we can qualify to play in Europe.

Bloke gives me a headache.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I hope they can get the right vetinary and vaccination records to bring Hennes VIII through customs

Watching him take a malicious shit on the touch lines will be more interesting than the game

[McNamara That Ghost...]

The best way of qualifying for it is winning the league I'd have thought.

[Marc Overmars]

Gotta have that top 4 trophy! It's the holy grail.

[Niall_Quinn]

BT have us on Sports 2 tomorrow, with the main channel reserved for...

Neverton :haha:

Bit like Sky and the CL. Remember when we were playing Utd on Sports 1 and you had to switch to Sports 2 every time we got the ball?

[Xhaka Can’t]

BT never show live European football on 1. Reason being you used to get 1 free with your internet sub and if you wanted to watch European matches you had to subscribe to the other channels.

In short, you are right that BT are cunts.

They're just not cunts for the reason you think they're cunts.

[Dicks and chicks]

Really glad we are not in the CL anymore , no way we can compete with most the teams there. At least here we have a shot, I hope Wenger takes it seriously this is his last chance at a trophy

[AFC Leveller]

https://www.facebook.com/1FootballAwayDays/videos/488950291469179/?hc_ref=ARTg0cxWJLGFgvrhQGpDIiA2Lw3v6uurxkfXoBI63b Bm_Ehx5HpEb7lFlukLOiry4wg

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-41271874

Bottles were thrown and flares lit but there was no significant disorder

What do they count as significant disorder? Driving panzer tanks down the Mall?

[Marc Overmars]

I saw plenty of them on my lunch break today, I did wonder just how many of them had made the trip. 20,000 though :wacko:

Got to love German supporters.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I saw plenty of them on my lunch break today, I did wonder just how many of them had made the trip. 20,000 though :wacko:

Got to love German supporters.

I'd love to see German Shephards tear into them if they are throwing bottles and flares

Cunts

Sorry I mean

****ze

[Dicks and chicks]

Wenger thinks we are too good for this competition, based on what evidence?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I am utterly shocked this won't be a first XI.

[GP]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DJs-8fDW0AUeRZu.jpg

[GP]

Wenger thinks we are too good for this competition

Tell you that himself, did he?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

WUMger. :bow:

Alexis wants to move for Champions League football, first game starting since the window closed - chucks him in to the Europa League. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Cologne: Horn, Klunter, Mere, Heintz, Rausch, Lehmann, Zoller, Hoger, Hector, Bittencourt, Cordoba.

A lot of good names there.

Mad Jens. :bow:

Klunt. :lol:

[GP]

Cologne have got the Horn.

Me too, tbf.

[GP]

Kickoff delayed by an hour!

FFS!

[Power n Glory]

Iwobi as CM? Why not Wilshere?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

For crowd safety? How many people are attending?

Finishing a match at 11pm. :haha:

I need to go to sleep now really then.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Iwobi as CM? Why not Wilshere?

Wilshere would die on his first game back starting.

[GP]

For crowd safety? How many people are attending?

Finishing a match at 11pm. :haha:

I need to go to sleep now really then.

Apparently Cologne fans rushed the gates. Twats.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

For crowd safety? How many people are attending?

Finishing a match at 11pm. :haha:

I need to go to sleep now really then.

According to the Bundesliga 20,000 Cologne fans have descended on London

[Niall_Quinn]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DJs-8fDW0AUeRZu.jpg

Bizarre and ridiculous team. As expected.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Iwobi as CM? Why not Wilshere?

Iwobi's the future.


There's no point developing Wilshere at this stage.

[Power n Glory]

For crowd safety? How many people are attending?

Finishing a match at 11pm. :haha:

I need to go to sleep now really then.

Getting out of the stadium and getting home will be a nightmare.

[Niall_Quinn]

These Cologne fans must be the last males left in Germany. Everything else is either a feminist or a lefty eunuch. Bet the whole of Germany is having a multicultural Tupperware party tonight, now the blokes have gone abroad.

[Gooner23]

Getting out of the stadium and getting home will be a nightmare.

Yeah what a shitter for the fans that is

[Power n Glory]

Iwobi's the future.


There's no point developing Wilshere at this stage.

Iwobi doesn't defend. That's my worry. Would have played him further up where Wally or Sanchez are playing if I were to start him.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Wouldn't be surprised if a lot of gooners have sold their tickets onto Cologne fans (due to apathy about the Europa cup) and we actually see more Cologne fans in the stadium than Arsenal fans tbh tbf.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Getting out of the stadium and getting home will be a nightmare.

Almost as bad as watching the match.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

If that's in anyway true (and somehow I doubt it)

It would explain the delay as there is obviously a designated entrance and area for away fans.

Though I think it's more to do with them trying to take the seats as souvenirs

I guess it's exciting when the last time your club was in Europe the Berlin Wall was probably still standing

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Who knew Germans could be so violent?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It was probably Poldi buying tickets for his mates.

[Master Splinter]

Lots of klunts.

[Niall_Quinn]

It's a 21:05 kickoff then?

[GP]

Who knew Germans could be so violent?

No one who speaks German could be an evil man.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

There are still Koln fans in the home end allegedly so it's supposed to be that time but not certain.

[Niall_Quinn]

BT sport online is just a joke. Same goes for Sky. Both charging a fortune yet they are still using outdated and insecure garbage software to deliver their stuttering and pixelated video. Both companies have got the cash to fix these issues, neither can be bothered.

They can moan about pirate streams, but sometimes that's the only way to reliably watch the fucking match.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lots of klunts.

:haha:

[Master Splinter]

I must say, fans storming the stadium is an ideal situation.

I believe they have shown an outstanding spirit and an exceptional desire.

[Niall_Quinn]

Let's hope our football isn't as farcical. Any streams covering this?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Let's hope our football isn't as farcical. Any streams covering this?

CCTV.

[Niall_Quinn]

CCTV.

This isn't being classed as a terror attack then?

[Master Splinter]

This isn't being classed as a terror attack then?

I'm safe.

[Niall_Quinn]

AFTV says delay is due to a turnstile having been damaged and some seats ripped up. So these have to be repaired before anything can happen. Hope there are some Poles on hand, because if this is left to the typical Brit worker there will be no game tonight, or for the foreseeable future.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

http://i64.tinypic.com/xnhg79.jpg

We await John Cross' decision.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Seen some of the vids on twitter ....... yeah this is going to get called off.

Utter shambles.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I must say, fans storming the stadium is an ideal situation.

I believe they have shown an outstanding spirit and an exceptional desire.

Germans smashing goals against us.

Germans smashing our gates.

Not sure which one I prefer tbh.

[Gooner23]

Either way it's a very volatile situation in there

[Niall_Quinn]

Can you imagine these knicker clad mincers being in charge of an 80s match? Just start the game you stupid cunts. I thought this is why billions had to be spent ruining stadiums? For safety. WTF?

GET ON WITH IT!

Unless they are refusing to go ahead until the Germans observer the rules at the Emirates and stay quiet. Noisy lot.
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1YqKDRnVndkJV?q=emirates

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Can you imagine these knicker clad mincers being in charge of an 80s match? Just start the game you stupid cunts. I thought this is why billions had to be spent ruining stadiums? For safety. WTF?

GET ON WITH IT!

Unless they are refusing to go ahead until the Germans observer the rules at the Emirates and stay quiet. Noisy lot.
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1YqKDRnVndkJV?q=emirates

Is that you David Duckenfield?

[Niall_Quinn]

We're all going to die :crying:

[Niall_Quinn]

Surely we'll get kicked out of the tournament for this :pray:

[GP]

We're all going to die :crying:

About fucking time.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Hundreds of Cologne fans signed up for Red Membership just to get tickets allegedly ... they're all in club level. :lol::lol:



If this was Wenger's way of boosting our revenues now that we've lost CL money then ....... :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

Unprecedented noise coming from the home end for a change. Can barely eat a sandwich for all the racket.

[Niall_Quinn]

Where are we off to after this? Serbia, Bosnia and Beirut?

[Dicks and chicks]

Unprecedented noise coming from the home end for a change. Can barely eat a sandwich for all the racket.

Says everything, arsenal fans suck really. I've been to around 30 football matches Emirates stadium has the worst atmosphere. We don't really deserve shit

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Says everything, arsenal fans suck really. I've been to around 30 football matches Emirates stadium has the worst atmosphere. We don't really deserve shit

Comes with the territory tbh. Affluent location means affluent fans.


Could do with getting more working class heroes like NQ in though.

[Niall_Quinn]

Surprised the tour guides didn't warn home fans it would be so busy tonight.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Europa League theme. :bow:

[Gooner23]

Bellerin really needs to sort his barnet out

[Master Splinter]

Europa League theme. :bow:

B-sides :bow:.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

If we batter them then the Cologne fans are going to batter our stadium aren't they?

[Niall_Quinn]

Comes with the territory tbh. Affluent location means affluent fans.


Could do with getting more working class heroes like NQ in though.

Come off it. Footie is a game for pussies now. The players are blouses, crying and diving all over the shop. The rules are fucked, with players getting reds for making a tackle. The fans are mainly prawn and lettuce munchers who turn up for the peace and quiet. We don't have to go back to riots, but it's swung ridiculously to the other extreme.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

If we batter them then the Cologne fans are going to batter our stadium aren't they?

Well we can't do a a protest for shit so they're doing us a favour really.

[Niall_Quinn]

If we batter them then the Cologne fans are going to batter our stadium aren't they?

No, why? This is what enthusiastic fans look like. Doesn't mean they are thugs just because they support their team. They all marched through London. London survives.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

No, why? This is what enthusiastic fans look like. Doesn't mean they are thugs just because they support their team. They all marched through London. London survives.

https://twitter.com/richard_conway/status/908404309028691969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fsport%2Flive% 2Ffootball%2F40855029

Enthusiastic fans :bow::bow:

[Thierrymon]

We've started great against a team that hasnt won a game all season. Just kidding! We have barely touched the ball.

[Niall_Quinn]

Cologne have an "interesting" kit.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

We've started great against a team that hasnt won a game all season. Just kidding! We have barely touched the ball.

tbf to us, as seen from the pre match scenes, this is their cup final ...... they're going to be pumped for the first 5 mins at least.

[Niall_Quinn]

https://twitter.com/richard_conway/status/908404309028691969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fsport%2Flive% 2Ffootball%2F40855029

Enthusiastic fans :bow::bow:

That's the only incident that anyone can find, apart from a couple of idiots outside the gates. How many total Cologne fans there? Too much knicker wetting by the Twitter and media hacks.

[Thierrymon]

FFS 0-1 :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-1 Cordoba, what a goal.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

:haha:

[Gooner23]

Ospina is garbage

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Rancid clearance from Ospina though.

[Niall_Quinn]

Opsina's a fucking joke tbf

[Xhaka Can’t]

I've had to turn the TV volume down

[Xhaka Can’t]

Good assist from Ospina

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lash it in Bif.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Monreal header, Horn takes it well.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Could've been 0-2. :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Defending :haha:

It really is laughable.

[Niall_Quinn]

Of course Wenker's randomisation of the team will take a while to wind itself out.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Opsina's a fucking joke tbf

Wenger convinced him to stay :rolleyes:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Theo offside, twice.

[Xhaka Can’t]

It is almost as if our players haven't yet been introduced to each other.

[Niall_Quinn]

Walnut looking across the line. Spots he's offside. And stays there.

[Dicks and chicks]

Any streams for this peace of shit game

[Xhaka Can’t]

Can't wait until my wife comes home so I can put Fargo on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bif header but easy.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Or European games are normally just coming to an end now. :lol:

:(

[Niall_Quinn]

Any streams for this peace of shit game
http://www.genti.stream/arsenal-live-stream.php

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Cordoba can't cross a ball but manages to slam one in from 40 yards.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Shocking finish from Theo.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Theo :doh:

[Niall_Quinn]

Walnut, good strength.

But not really.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

More interested in getting a new haircut instead of improving his upper body strength.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bif think it's time for the flicks.

[Niall_Quinn]

Merts almost plays Cologne in, but no accuracy on the pass.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It's past the watershed, why are they apologising for bad language?

Klunts.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Who needs a DM?

[Niall_Quinn]

Bellerin has time. Scuffs the cross to the defender. Another one for the fucked up crossing scrapbook.

[Niall_Quinn]

It's past the watershed, why are they apologising for bad language?

Klunts.

Conditioning.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Great work by Giroud wasted

[Niall_Quinn]

Germans are booing our sideways and backwards passing :haha:

We should invite them every week.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

We're so shit at counter attacking. :lol:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

It's games like this that really make you wonder what the fuck we do on the training ground all week.

Zero cohesion.

[Niall_Quinn]

Alexis is having a shocker so far.

[Gooner23]

Wenger employing the no man centre midfield tactic again.

[Niall_Quinn]

It's games like this that really make you wonder what the fuck we do on the training ground all week.

Zero cohesion.

There's no method to the team selection. Couple that with zero tactics and you have a farce.

Almost 2-0 there.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Elneny on the edge of the box. Makes sense.

[Niall_Quinn]

German sections are packed and buzzing. Plenty of empty seats in our sections though, not that it affects the noise from the home fans.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Hector hauled off. Not our one though.

Jojic on.

[Niall_Quinn]

Elneny is so static in that advanced role. He's offering nothing for the players around him. That role is about constant motion and finding the space, always being the out ball. Poor bastard. First Wenger plays him at CB and now he's the #10

[Niall_Quinn]

Niles????

Fuck. Sign me up. I can do better than that.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Crap from Bif.

[Niall_Quinn]

At least Bif is doing his job tonight and getting into the box.

[Niall_Quinn]

Why do we always have to do that little 20 second pass around the back 3 routine? It's so boring. And then we give it awy anyway.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

It takes some skill to make talented players look as bad as this on a pitch.

[Niall_Quinn]

Ozil and Lacazette are not even on the bench. Talk about taking the game lightly.

[Niall_Quinn]

It takes some skill to make talented players look as bad as this on a pitch.

No Ozil, no Xhaka. For whatever other faults they bring, at least they can pass and knit a game together.

Theo really is very, very poor. And he's our senior player now. Wasted career.

[Gooner23]

This formation just doesn't work against teams that sit back. Makes us even more tippy tap if that was possible.

[Niall_Quinn]

HT 0-1

Embarrassing.

Wenger really is clueless and he's so fucking disrespectful of opponents. He claims he spends all his time watching football. Hard to believe he can't see what a fucking shambles he's built here.

Send out another random team and pray for the best. That's the full extent of this guy's preparation.

[Newguy]

3 at the back just doesn't work without the correct tactics and discipline. Somehow we're even more vulnerable. Iwobi doesn't work in the middle he needs to go to the flank. Why Maitland-Niles is starting ahead of Nelson is beyond clear classic trolling by Wenger then there's Jack who somehow cannot get a start when he's the type of player we're crying out for at the moment.

It just seems like we've got less players in the field.

[Xhaka Can’t]

The Wengerisation of Alexis is complete

[Niall_Quinn]

3 at the back just doesn't work without the correct tactics and discipline. Somehow we're even more vulnerable. Iwobi doesn't work in the middle he needs to go to the flank. Why Maitland-Niles is starting ahead of Nelson is beyond clear classic trolling by Wenger then there's Jack who somehow cannot get a start when he's the type of player we're crying out for at the moment.

It just seems like we've got less players in the field.

71% possession. That's all that counts.

[RomfordPele]

HT 0-1

Embarrassing.

Wenger really is clueless and he's so fucking disrespectful of opponents. He claims he spends all his time watching football. Hard to believe he can't see what a fucking shambles he's built here.

Send out another random team and pray for the best. That's the full extent of this guy's preparation.

Starting to think levy signed wenger about five years ago on the quiet.

We are so, so fucked for the foreseeable with this stubborn old goat in charge.

[Niall_Quinn]

When teams let us play, like Bournemouth, we can do all that fancy stuff because we have time.

When teams decide to deny us that time, we are absolutely fucking crap.

[Gooner23]

3 at the back just doesn't work without the correct tactics and discipline. Somehow we're even more vulnerable. Iwobi doesn't work in the middle he needs to go to the flank. Why Maitland-Niles is starting ahead of Nelson is beyond clear classic trolling by Wenger then there's Jack who somehow cannot get a start when he's the type of player we're crying out for at the moment.

It just seems like we've got less players in the field.

Giroud static up front. Bellerin and Walcot on each others toes. Iwobi isn't a centre mid. Three centre backs against one striker leaving midfield overrun.

Why can't Wenger see all this and realise it's a mess. Why can't he react quickly to change things around. Why does Bellerin have ridiculous hair. Too many questions to answer.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

3 at the back just doesn't work without the correct tactics and discipline. Somehow we're even more vulnerable. Iwobi doesn't work in the middle he needs to go to the flank. Why Maitland-Niles is starting ahead of Nelson is beyond clear classic trolling by Wenger then there's Jack who somehow cannot get a start when he's the type of poster we're crying out for at the moment.

It just seems like we've got less players in the field.

3 - 5 - 2 can work provided you have a manager who knows how to play it and tactically instructs his players to flourish under it ........... unfortunately our dinosaur isn't that person and he's too egotistical to get help.

Central midfield non-existent once again - Chelsea normally play too holders like Matic & Kante there whereas we've got Iwobi & Elneny all over the shop.

Chelsea are going to rape us on Sunday if we carry on like this.

[Gubby Allen]

It would have been good to have Lucas Perez and Joel Campbell come in for this match. But they are better off on another loan.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Corner for us. Hope we don't concede.

[Niall_Quinn]

Kolasinac on for Holding. Switching to a back 4. Not that it will make a blind bit of difference. Monreal CB again then,

[Xhaka Can’t]

Kolasinac is pure class

[Niall_Quinn]

Great by Alexis. Dodgy offside though.

[Niall_Quinn]

Kolasinac is pure class

Not for long.

[GP]

Kolasinac is pure class

Terrific signing.

Wenger :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

1-1

Theo fucks around a bit, then Kola does the bit with one touch.

[Master Splinter]

Kolasinac with the Podolski tribute for the Koln fans.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Free signings :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

There's definitely a correlation between shooting and scoring. I'm convinced of it.

[Niall_Quinn]

Alexis starting to come into the game now. Perhaps because a competent player has come on to assist him.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

There's definitely a correlation between shooting and scoring. I'm convinced of it.

Don't be ridiculous. How many teams have you managed?

[Master Splinter]

Terrific signing.

Wenger :bow:

Great sub from Wenger again.

Wenger :bow:.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Alexis starting to come into the game now. Perhaps because a competent player has come on to assist him.

Don't worry, give it a year and Kolasinac will be fully Wengerised.

[Master Splinter]

Alexis playing like a drunk on the way back from the brewery who has stopped off at every pub en route.

[Niall_Quinn]

Why our the massed ranks of our fans singing in German???? Weird.

[Thierrymon]

Fuck me that would have been some goal.

[Master Splinter]

Ainsley :doh:.

[Niall_Quinn]

Oh score FFS. Hit it first time. Always that extra touch.

[Niall_Quinn]

Jack getting ready to be injured.

[Thierrymon]

Wonder goal from Sanchez!!!

[Master Splinter]

ALEXIS!!!!

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Drunk footballers :bow::bow:

[Thierrymon]

Wilshere on :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

What a goal!

2-1 Alexis

[Master Splinter]

Drunk footballers :bow::bow:

Gervinho :bow:.

Bolasie :bow:.

Alexis :bow:.

[Niall_Quinn]

Our mortally embarrassing home fans have started to sing. Ironically they are signing "Who are ya"

Ode to self?

[Master Splinter]

Theo should be sent off there.

I suppose we're not playing Barcelona though.

[Niall_Quinn]

Theo offside again. And finishes well to rub it in.

[Niall_Quinn]

Theo should be sent off there.

I suppose we're not playing Barcelona though.

Ref does not appear to be a massive, massive cunt. In fact he's done quite well. Applied the rules, stayed out of the limelight. Strange bloke.

[Master Splinter]

Ref does not appear to be a massive, massive cunt. In fact he's done quite well. Applied the rules, stayed out of the limelight. Strange bloke.

Anthony Taylor intercepted his cheque.

[Static]

Any streams?

[Niall_Quinn]

Any streams?
http://www.genti.stream/arsenal-live-stream.php

[Master Splinter]

Alexis :wacko:.

[Niall_Quinn]

Alexis :doh:

Fluffed it while sensibly trying to avoid passing to Theo.

[Static]

http://www.genti.stream/arsenal-live-stream.php

Thanks

[Thierrymon]

Bellerin! 3-1

Kolasinac is class.

[Niall_Quinn]

Nelson coming on.

[Master Splinter]

BELLERIN!!!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

BELLERIN!!!

Kolasinac is great.

[Niall_Quinn]

Bellerin is bloody fast. He was onto that Theo fuck-up like a flash.

[Master Splinter]

Nelson coming on.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c6/Nelson_Muntz.PNG

[The Emirates Gallactico]

R.I.P. The Emirates Stadium

Hope we've got good insurance.

[Niall_Quinn]

R.I.P. The Emirates Stadium

Hope we've got good insurance.

We're still haggling over the premium.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Jack Ramsey. :bow:

Hartson. :doh:

[Master Splinter]

Kolasinac is great.

He's been effective in every match he's played. Goals, assists, pre-assists.

Wenger starting Oxlade and Bellerin ahead of him :bow:.

[GP]

BELLERIN!!!

Kolasinac is great.

Nah just a freebie nobody.


:haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Unlucky Alexis.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Great block from BFG.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What's the point giving a corner and then not allow it to be taken? :lol:

Anyway 3-1 FT.

[Niall_Quinn]

FT 3-1

Toxic first half. Much better second and almost watchable in the last 20 mins or so.

[Newguy]

Hopefully this is the last we see of 3 at the back but it won't be...We'll play 3 at the back against Chelsea and i think we'll pay a heavy price but who knows... just gonna keep optimistic that the players will decide to get together after training to talk tactics over the next 48hrs