Having had to plant an old Herald (What's that I hear) without nose gear, I would definitely prefer somewhere long, and smooth(ish) - sorry about the centreline lights Cardiff.
Also, in any emergency give yourself a second or so to think. It's better to do the right thing calmly but not too slowly, than the wrong thing very quickly, as any pilot who has shut down the only remaining (ie good) engine like greased lightning will agree!!
A good expletive sometimes helps, even if only to give yourself the aforementioned thinking time