Newcastle United's Europa League clash at Bordeaux has been hindered by travel problems.
Heavy snow on Tyneside saw the Magpies' 2pm private flight delayed until 6.45pm.
The delay meant they did not arrive at their hotel until late in the evening.
But Bordeaux boss Francis Gillot actually claimed the delay might have helped the visitors.
He said: "In my experience usually, when you have a certain delay, you do better and you play a better game - so it's scaring me."
And Toon boss Alan Pardew said: "We have had a long journey, but I have been in harsher situations. We can't possibly use the delay as an excuse.
"Half of the north was stopped - the A1 was shut when we flew over it. We are okay, we are good to go."