[Mark]

Third time lucky?






After losing out in two previous Finals, Portsmouth stopper David James is hoping to claim his first FA Cup winner's medal on Saturday.


James has felt the pain of defeat in The FA Cup Final on two occasions. Firstly, in 1996, when Liverpool conceded a late goal to Manchester United and then in the last Final at the old Wembley, when his Aston Villa side lost 1-0 to Chelsea.

Given his taste of defeat, James is cautious going into this year's Final and knows it will not be an easy ride against Championship side Cardiff.

"It has been a struggle in every game of the competition," James admitted.

"The opposition have always been up for the challenge.

"I expect we might do what we've done in all the previous games - struggle to start with, then start getting into the flow of things. As tense as we might seem initially, we have got confidence as a team and hopefully we can go and win the game. It won't be easy, though."


James said Pompey's Cup run was just reward for the support given by the club's fans.

After the Semi-Final victory over West Bromwich Albion, James described the Portsmouth supporters as "awesome".

Indeed, England number one James believes the Pompey fans could make all the difference this weekend.

"Our supporters have been superb all season, going back to the Manchester United quarter-final and the way they brought us through with their constant noise."

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The biggest stage






Wales manager John Toshack is backing Cardiff's Joe Ledley to have a major say in Saturday's FA Cup Final against Portsmouth.


Ledley scored the spectacular winning goal in the Semi-Final victory against Barnsley and Toshack, an FA Cup winner himself with Liverpool in 1974, believes the Championship side have every chance of causing an upset and that Ledley's presence will be key to their hopes.

"When I first came into the Wales job we put a structure in place with youngsters like Joe in the side," he said.

"He was 18 then and you could tell just by watching him walk from the car park to the dressing room he was going to be a top player.

"He's slotted in on the left-hand side and we know we've got a player that's going to be at the top level for the next 12 years.

"Joe played over 60 games last season and had hamstring trouble but he's overcome that now and settled into that berth.

"I wouldn't mind playing left-back behind him. He always gives everything and is a skilful boy. He'll be a major factor in The Final.

"It's teriffic to see Cardiff at Wembley. Portsmouth will be favourites and Harry's done very well there. Cardiff can enjoy the day though and they've got more than half a chance."

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Parker: Cardiff can create sensation

1994 FA Cup winner Paul Parker fancies Cardiff City to cause an upset at Wembley on Saturday.

"I think this will be a great FA Cup final for neutrals, even though it is not between two of the so-called 'Big Four'.

Portsmouth and Cardiff City have got there on merit and you know for sure that this game will mean everything to them.

Both sides will try to deliver a spectacle - unlike the sterile affair we had last season between Manchester United and Chelsea. What a powder-puff final that was.

If those two teams were playing again this year, just four days before the Champions League final, it would be a sideshow - the one trophy neither side really wanted to win.

No danger of that this time. For Cardiff in particular it is literally a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It will be the biggest day of their playing careers and they will be desperate to give a good account of themselves.

The big teams must realise they have to match the minnows' passion if they want to win the FA Cup, which is still undeniably a great tournament.

I played in the 1994 final for Manchester United and, although we won the Double that year, it was a wonderful occasion.

Winning the league is a bit different - it is recognition of your consistency over the course of a season. But in terms of a single occasion, nothing matches the Cup final.

It is one of those things you always dream about, and when you realise that dream it is really unforgettable.

You have all the build-up, walking out at Wembley in your suits, and of course the night out afterwards.

Additionally we had the United song with Status Quo, which got to number one although I must admit I didn't play a leading part!

Portsmouth are out of form after finishing the season badly. Admittedly Harry Redknapp rested a lot of players, but personally I think it is better to make sure you go into a game with some momentum.

With Jermain Defoe cup-tied, I just hope Harry doesn't go for the 4-5-1 formation he used against West Brom in the semi-final.

Pompey were unconvincing that day, and they should go for it against Cardiff. It's all very well saying Milan Baros and David Nugent are out of form, but both men have enough quality to do the business against Cardiff.

I can't really understand the controversy about Cardiff representing England in the UEFA Cup. If they get there they will have earned it.

If you don't want them representing England then don't let them in the league in the first place. I say good luck to them.

I hope they have a real go and get stuck into Portsmouth. Obviously it's tough to make a prediction, but I just fancy an upset and am backing the underdogs to nick it one-nil."


Paul Parker was talking to Alex Chick / Eurosport


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