A nice little jaunt across the North Sea seemed favourable to a trek across Eastern Europe to a venue that was still to be decided.

That was until Uefa decreed that only plastic chairs with backs could be used at Lokeren's Daknam ground which is undergoing some redevelopment work. 

What that means is that only 600 tickets are being given to United (350 according to Lokeren). This only came to light the Monday before the game, after some had booked ferries and digs.

I suppose that's the price to be paid for entering this half-baked "Cup". However, don't think that we will breeze through to the next round.

Our lads have been back in training for just over a week while Lokeren have already played four Intertoto games.

Niall Mackenzie