Andy Gray - Sky Sports Expert

Time to play up

Andy Gray says the pressure will be all on Pompey...

Posted: 15th May 2008 16:16

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Harry Redknapp Dave Jones FA Cup
The burden of being favourites can weigh heavily on your shoulders and it might be that Pompey find it tough against Cardiff who really are in a no-lose situation.

Andy Gray on the FA Cup Final
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FA CUP FINAL
Cardiff City v Portsmouth
2pm, Saturday
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An FA Cup final without any of the Big Four makes a refreshing change.

Most people (apart from supporters of the Big Four of course) have complained about the regularity of who finishes in the top four of the Premier League and who's been in the FA Cup Final and won it over the last 15 years.

And I think it's absolutely right that we should be looking forward to a Cup final that doesn't have one of the Big Four in it.

Why should the big boys automatically assume that because they're in it they're going to play in great finals? That hasn't always been the case, and in fact I can't remember many classic finals in the last 15 years.

I don't think the Big Four have given their utmost attention to the FA Cup of late - they've gone into cup matches casually at times and it's only really been when they get to the last eight that they take it seriously.

I think they do look at it as more of a hindrance than anything else at the moment and that probably has devalued the competition a little bit, which is why it has made it easier for the likes of Cardiff and Pompey to find their way into the final.

Having said that, I still believe the magic of the FA Cup is still there, certainly amongst the fans. And I'd hate for the Cup to lose that magic. It's maybe not shining as brightly as it used to but there are other things that have become more important.

That's just the way that the game has gone but I do still believe that the fans feel there's a magic about it and all the fans want their team to be playing in the final at Wembley that's for sure.

And take nothing away from Cardiff and Portsmouth, they deserve to walk out onto the hallowed turf on Saturday afternoon for what promises to be an intriguing final.

Wembley

As a player walking out onto the Wembley turf prior to the national anthem and kick-off, it's a great feeling.

It's hard to describe but at that time you're very nervous. You're worried about how well you're going to play, whether you're going to win, worried about your first touch and looking for your family in the crowd.

It's a fantastic occasion it really is; I'm not so sure what it would be like now at the new Wembley. I think they probably missed a trick there by moving the players' tunnel.

At the old Wembley you had to walk half the length of the pitch to get to the halfway line from behind the goal and it was a fantastic walk - one of the best you'll ever make as a footballer.

But Wembley is a fantastic stadium and the Cardiff and Portsmouth players will feel 10-feet tall walking out in front of 90,000 fans and it will be something special that they will remember for the rest of their lives.

In its own way there is also pressure on us in the commentary box to get the job done, but I can relax and enjoy the game - it's certainly more relaxing and less tense than playing in the final that's for sure.

I think it will be a tight match, I can't see Dave Jones sending his players out gung-ho and leaving space for Portsmouth to take advantage.

Cardiff have some quality players of their own, so I wouldn't expect them to be negative either, and of course more pressure is on the favourites, Pompey.

Poor form

Harry Redknapp's team go into the game in pretty poor form, having lost their last four matches, which isn't great psychologically for the players.

But they will have to find form from somewhere so with that, and with the occasion, there is the surprise elements there and Cardiff are more than capable of causing an upset, so I think Pompey will be very nervous.

The burden of being favourites can weigh heavily on your shoulders and it might be that they find it a bit tough against Cardiff who really are in a no-lose situation.

Most people expect Cardiff to lose so the pressure is off and they can go out there and enjoy it and see if they can cause an upset.

So the pressure is on Pompey and I don't expect the match to be too open because of that - cup finals normally aren't!

Fantastic job

I'm delighted for Harry that he has got his team to Wembley. I've known Harry for many years now, he's always been one of the better English managers and he's done a fantastic job at Fratton Park.

He saved them from relegation a couple of years ago and he has moved the club on, getting them to eighth in the Premier League and an FA Cup final at the end of it as well, it's been a fantastic season for Harry.

He must have been very close to winning the Manager of the Year award.

As I said, this will be a tight one I think Portsmouth will just about shade it. They are a powerful side and Cardiff are going to find that out.

They're big and athletic and with no little talent in there as well. I just think Cardiff will have a tough day ahead.

Do you agree with Andy Gray? Will Portsmouth win the Cup or can Cardiff cause an upset? Let us know by filling in the feedback form below.

Comments

Fred Taylor (Portsmouth fan) says...

I will be at Wembley tomorrow cheering on the mighty Portsmouth, and I really don't like this favourites tag. Pompey has always been the underdogs, and I think it's made the nervous worse for the fans having this tag on us. I do have a feeling though Pompey are due a good performance, and if it turns up tomorrow Cardiff might just find it a little to hard to stop us winning. The flip side is though if we under perform in anyway, Cardiff will take home the cup it's that tight...

Posted 10:02 16th May 2008

Lee Davies (Portsmouth fan) says...

The gloss has dimmed a bit on the FA Cup & for me more so this year as the Semi was also at Wembley whereas it should of been at The Emirates or Millenium. the final used to be that getting to Wembley was part of it & songs sung about it, shame, I suppose it could change again soon. Another factor is money, what, only £1m for the winners? Sadly football is so finacially motivated, teams in the top 4 would take Champ League over FA Cup in a flash, so raise the cash for the FA Cup & you will see the shine come back. As for the game, well, sorry Cardiff fans but I cant see for 1 slight moment Cardiff threatening Pompey. There may be some good players in the Cardiff team but Pompey are full of International athletes playing week in, week out in the best league in the world. I truly believe that the only way Cardiff will cause Pompey any damage will be by an officials mistake but providing the game is played fairly, Pompey will ease past Cardiff & if Pompey feel kind on the day, we may even let you have a shot, shame it will be wide. I dont see it a high scoring game, mainly because of Pompeys firepower, its shocking at present, Benjani sold & Defoe cup tied, 54 year old Kanu & Milan Baros are not the answer. I foresee a moment of genius from Kranjcar & maybe a pile blaster from Muntari to see Pompey win 2-0. Play Up Pompey

Posted 09:32 16th May 2008

Emamul Hussain (Chelsea fan) says...

Yes, I agree with Andy. Cardiff are the under dogs and will play without any pressure. Just look at West Ham in that final against Liverpool a few years ago. They nearly won it and played some excellent football. They would have won it hadn't it been for a certain lad called Steven GERRARD! I hope Cardiff do win it because it will be the icing on the cake on what has been one of the greatest FA Cup season in history. Look at how many shocks there were.

Posted 00:30 16th May 2008

Daniel Hussey (Arsenal fan) says...

i think your right about the fa cup magic, it's still there and as a supporter of Arsenal i think it will be way more entertaining watching pompey v cardiff in the FA cup final then watching chelsea v united in the champions league final on wednesday. It is also nice to see a premier league english manager who has guided his side to the final and i think both teams will play with no fear and i think it could be an entertaining 3-2 win for portsmouth. However andy did you not find West Ham v Liverpool entertaining in 2005 when it was 3-3 I sure did!!!!!

Posted 17:49 15th May 2008

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