FA Cup final? Pah.

I know I've been away for a while. I can tell by the angry glances I get on the tube (which I know are to do with the fact I haven't posted in a long time, and nothing to do with my choice of 'art' magazine). I could blame the fact I've had a massive job change, and haven't been in the country. I could blame the fact I was without internet for a very long time.

But the truth is, I've been too disappointed with my team to say anything.

Let's get things straight. I'm well aware of the impending FA Cup final, and the possible glory that sits behind the 90 minute curtain. I spent ages trying to secure a ticket for myself and my Dad, and that was something I did without even thinking twice, like saving a drowning child or putting out a chip fire.

But the statistics do not lie, and a draw followed by four straight losses in the league, without any of the Big Four in there either, is simply not good enough for any team. Full stop.

Under the whole 'FA Cup can save our season' theory (one put forward by Sylvain Distin) the team might as well have gone on holiday for most of the campaign, turned up for enough games to secure safety and concentrated on the Cup and that only.

Imagine if that was the case, and the focus was on winning the League and FA Cup double, with relegation narrowly, but successfully avoided. Records would show a very good campaign.

But as a fan, and a fan that is not demanding or into over-hyping the abilities of his team, I still expect the players and the manager to show a bit of something to make the world realise Portsmouth are a good team and not just one that managed to beat Manchester United in a one-off occasion.

There's a reason I chose this moment to return to the Fanzine Fanzone fold. I wanted to wait and see whether Pompey actually did do what every team in the final does (unless they're fighting for the league as well) and drop off the pace. Something about me believed they wouldn't, that there would at least be the odd win or two to keep things sweet. But then again we all saw the Fulham game.

And I wanted to write this before the final, to make sure my feelings weren't tainted by loss or victory. If we lost, I would be more angry than ever before (in footballing terms; the time some guy CHOSE to ram my car rather than possibly hit a pigeon still ranks as the top point in the red mist stakes.I mean, I saw him look at me, look at the pigeon and make the decision. But I digress).

If we won, I wouldn't give two hoots about the form beforehand. It's as simple as that, and I know it's a theory a number of fans subscribe to already.

And it's true, an FA Cup final is something to remember for the rest of your life, win or lose. And I am so ecstatically happy we are there, something to look forward to still at this point in the season is magnificent, and I wouldn't change anything about this season to jeopardise it.

The only thing that casts a slight doubt on the whole occasion is the notion of Pompey being favourites. It means the expectation is a win, which means if it does happen everybody will be nonplussed (sort of). But for Cardiff, they win and they are the greatest team in the Cup, the papers celebrate them, the rest of the media jumps on the bandwagon, and Alan Hansen gets the chance to draw big white circles around the Pompey defenders and show 'what went wrong'.

And I am going to lamp someone soon if the idea that this cup final is a bit of a let-down is mentioned once more. It's like being told your birthday isn't that much of a big deal and people are going to mow the lawn or polish the cat instead.

I know it might not be the two most fashionable teams in the world, but I would implore those doubters to remember the FA Cup final of last year, one that I had to beg to be allowed to watch (it was my anniversary...) and then was thoroughly upset/bored to tears by.

So I will be there as a fan at the final, and none of the last few weeks will have diminished my excitement. But all the resting and 'eyes on the final'-ness better have been worth something...or else I'll...erm...still come back next season no matter what (damn it).

Gareth Beavis
www.pompey-fans.com

Comments

[Pierre Courtney]

I agree with your sentiments.

I don't believe the players have been saving themselves for the cup.

I think having got to the final, we have suffered a dip in form. I know its a harsh statement but we haven't actually played that well during the cup run.

We have had huge amounts of luck in most of the games.

Man Utd and Chelsea played full on in the league to the final game of the season. Without backing off because they have a cup match to play.

I wonder what would happen to our league form the following season if we qualified for the champions league.

Probably get relegated as we would be saving ourselves for the cup.

A draw and four losses in a row was a huge dissapointment. However, Aston Villa shows that a loss of form at the wrong time happens to other teams as well.

I said to my wife on Sunday that having heard Harry's comments after the Fulham game, I think Harry will leave after the cup as he has probaly taken the club as far as he can.

Over the years Pompey have delighted and disappointed in unequal quantities.

I hope we have a good Saturday.

[Rod Garr - Miami]

This was a strategy by Harry to lead Cardiff into a false sense of security!

[Jason]

Grow up!

[Peter Pan]

What a shit article.

[DOGEND]

NOT EVERY TEAM CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.....LIVE WITH IT YOU PORTSMOUTH FANS. YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO GET BELOW MID TABLE BUT YOU'LL NEVER GET RIGHT TO THE TOP EITHER. ANYWAY BE GRATEFUL AND STOP MOANING YOU'VE REACHED THE FA CUP FINAL HAVEN'T YOU ?