Grant relishing cup final

Israeli tactician believes his side can cause upset at Wembley

Last updated: 10th May 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Grant relishing cup final

Grant: Cup final task

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Portsmouth manager Avram Grant is eagerly anticipating his side's FA Cup final against Chelsea at the weekend.

Pompey take on the Blues at Stamford Bridge looking for an unlikely victory that would see them clinch two cup wins in three years.

However, the Premier League's bottom side face an uphill task if they are going to depose the new champions, who sealed the league title on Sunday.

Former Blues boss Grant could be in the Portsmouth dugout for the last time and wants everyone to enjoy the occasion.

"I'm very excited, there is no reason to be nervous. We are trying to enjoy it," he said.

"Who was here every day this season, who came in the morning every day and knows what we need to face up to?

"I know that we deserve this week to enjoy and not think about the bad things that we've had this season."

Asked if he had nothing to lose, he remarked: "I never in my life think like this. We need to think about the positive side.

"That we are going to Wembley against a very, very good team, the champions, all the league is between us.

"But still we need to perform well and that's what we want to do."

Wretched

Portsmouth will be playing their football in the Championship next season after a wretched campaign in the top flight.

They are massive underdogs for the weekend clash but Grant insists that a win is not impossible.

He added: "Nobody will remember when a big club takes the cup because that is what everybody expects. But everybody remembers that Southampton beat Manchester United and Sunderland beat Leeds.

"Everybody will remember this season that Portsmouth, very proud, came to the final.

"I think it is good for football also - football is sometimes about fairy tales and stories like this.

"Against all odds you do something that is unbelievable and gives hope to all the others.

"Everybody wants to play at Wembley. It is unusual for a club like Portsmouth (to reach the final) - big clubs, it is for them.

"Especially after what has happened this season, everyone wants to play at Wembley."