A Result That Made Toon Fans Proud

I've got to admit; my feeling before the game was that with Jo and probably Bruno missing from the midfield the likely result would be a comfortable win for PSG.

It's great to be wrong!

With the kick off time at 1.30am here in India - and having tried and failed to find anywhere showing the game - I had to rely on the blog comments and BBC live match text to stay in touch with what was happening in the Parc des Princes.

My heart sank when the BBC text flashed up that a penalty had been awarded almost from the start. A goal down inside a few minutes would have been a disaster.

But, cometh the hour, cometh the man, and Nick Pope did justice to an apparently diabolical hand ball decision against Lewis Miley by saving Dembele's penalty.

It was clear from the blog comments that the Lads were under tremendous pressure after the penalty save and when PSG took the lead - and with their tails up and looking to nail down a last 16 place - I feared that the best we could hope for was to keep the score down.

Oh ye of little faith Parker!

I obviously didn't see the game but from everything I've read on the blog and in media match reports - Eddie Howe's far from full strength team went on to put in a magnificent performance that could, and should, have brought a deserved win.

Barnes can't score from every chance, but it's typical that in game where taking one late on would have put us straight through to the knock-out stages, he missed.

No criticism of Harvey Barnes though; that's football, and his goals this season have earned us plenty of points. He'll repay us by getting a couple in the play off games.

I see the 'owld warrior' Dan Burn came back from injury and had a stormer. Along with Nick Pope Le Equipe awarded Dan a joint top mark of 7/10 backed up by this opinion "Dan Burn who was not very academic, but very effective."

Not very academic? Le Equipe need to check their facts.

Dan has three GCSE's and a Certificate in Heeding The Ball.

Hat's off to Eddie Howe

Eddie's starting eleven would have raised eyebrows for sure; especially as it looked like the formation would be 3-5-1, 3-4-2-1 or anything but the usual 4-3-3.

Plenty of fans, me included, have been calling for Eddie to change formation but to do it with an injury weakened team - and saving the likes of Barnes and Gordon for Liverpool - against the CL holders PSG was a risk no one would have anticipated.

The rumour is the team and formation was only discussed in the hotel shortly before the game. No chance to try it out in training. That makes the performance on the night even more outstanding.

One thing this team has never lacked under Eddie Howe is effort and commitment.

And that starting eleven last night proved it.

How good was it that Willock and Elanga - both having taken a fair dose of not undeserved criticism from fans - justified Eddie's faith and turned in their best performances of the season.

If that gives them the confidence to make more big contributions in games their previous form will soon be forgotten. And, fans will soon be singing their praises.

Next up Liverpool

After the Champions of Europe away it's off to Anfield on Saturday against the Premier League Champions. Two easy games in succession :)

I'll be back in blighty for that game arriving back in Northumberland - landing at Ashington International - at about 8pm Saturday.

Will Eddie stick with the PSG formation?

Will Bruno be back?

Who replaces Jo if Bruno plays, Miley or Willock?

Who plays ST, Wissa or Woltemade?

Will Isak get any stick from our away supporters? Answers to Wor B at the usual address.

India has been a fantastic experience.

But I'm raring to get back full time on the blog and can't wait to see the Lads take on Liverpool.

HWTL & thanks again to all for your support while I've been away - especially during the period when I didn't have full access to the blog.

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