As great as it's been to reach a Cup Final, I reckon today is going to be a horrible experience for us and one that ends in a forty-two carat sickener.

As I said earlier in the week, we're either going to get absolutely hammered or we'll lose late on or on penalties and as bad as this sounds, a massive hammering is what I'd choose right now if I had the choice between that and a 'brave' performance and a late/penalties defeat.

I hate, HATE with a passion 'glorious failure' and all the patronising pats on the back that come with it. There is no glory whatsoever in failure, especially in a Cup Final. A Cup Final is a MUST WIN GAME no matter who the opposition is and when you lose there are no positives to take whatsoever. You don't lift a trophy when you play well, or turn in a spirited performance, or give a good account of yourselves, you only lift a trophy when you WIN the tie. That's it, no two ways about it.

I'd love nothing more than for us to win today but it's just not going to happen and if we run them close and still lose out then I think I'll need to hide away for a fortnight because if I see or hear any report or account that gives us credit for our part in a glorious failure then I will blow a f&cking gasket!

That said, to everyone going today, enjoy your day and stay safe.