"I intended going normal and matching them toe for toe which was still bold, and only an option due to their strike force being what it is. But for whatever reason I have selected offensive and not spotted it, so leaving an abundance of space for their far more dangerous midfield maestros to cause continuous problems all afternoon.

"I have let the club down and promise to do better in future. It was a massive test for the lads today and, considering their instructions, they coped extremely well and certainly made it an uncomfortable afternoon for the home side. We somehow managed to stay in with a shout until very late on. However had they not used 2 different 17 year old midfielders upfront we might well have been slaughtered!"