I couldn't be more scared

For once, the time is over for rational decisions, weighed-up thought and decent debate. This is the FA Cup Final, this is the time when a domestic trophy that comes second only behind the Premier League title is up for grabs and we want it.

My colleague has already given a far more rational and composed view on the Pompey presence in the cup final than I ever could, so I won't try and invoke history and comparison to former glories and former great players.

I am just looking forward to this game so much. I was in A&E last night with what turned out to be a fractured ankle sustained during five-a-side, and despite the immense pain and bulbous swelling, all I could think about was Saturday, which should tell you all you need to know about my childlike state of mind.

A few people have commented on my previous post, perhaps trying to say I was being a little petulant about the form of Pompey and the blase attitude being taken to one of the biggest games in Pompey's history.

I'd just like to say that pure drivel. I'm perfectly allowed to be annoyed when a team suffers a dip in form. I'd have been more accepting had we already won something, a la Tottenham, because drifting along would make sense.

And to re-iterate, I'm beyond ecstatic we're in the final. I've been through the usual can't really sleep nights, the form of the the other team, the newspaper reports about how well each team has played.

I've eaten up every Pompey word about the impending game, I've sat and willed David James' calf to heal. I've thought about every single formation I could think of, and decided Harry probably has it right.

So therefore, if my team decides to have a holiday before the actual game, then you have to worry. A rubbish end to the season would be compounded by a huge loss, and that's what I'm saying.

Anyway, to brighter and much shinier things. The FA Cup is something Pompey could always 'have a go at' each season, as if they are in some way better shaped for the cup.

Actually, the league cup is always touted by fans as something we could win, but we never quite live up to the promise. So on the theory the FA CUp is its bigger brother, then to actually make it to the final is beyond immense. It means Pompey might actually live up to some of their promise.

And here's the bit that worries me, the bit that makes me bring in four changes of underwear to work each day to cope with the soiling. Pompey are not the underdogs for this one, they are red hot favourites.

As any Blues fan knows, this is not the way it should be, and it is TERRIFYING the life out of me.

'What if we sit back and let them come at us? Why aren't we being more attacking?' battles with 'Why are we going at them from the start? We are the Premier League team, we should absorb them and let them run out of steam before we strike!'.

In truth, I am more afraid of anything of that dreaded notion of tempting fate. To believe we might do it is worse than anything I've experienced. Even the loss of the European place at the end of last season wasn't too hard to take, as you could make the argument the squad wasn't ready.

But now, it's all or nothing. I have my seat high up in the rafters, I'm getting there early (after the semi-final travelling debacle. A signal box CAUGHT FIRE at Waterloo...the kind of thing that makes you wonder if it's not your day.)

So to all you media folk making us hot favourites or writing us off. To all of those who say the magic of the cup is alive because rubbish teams have made it (seriously, one blog said just that), to all those who think people won't bother watching the game.

To all those who think Redknapp should have a cup, and those who think he doesn't deserve to be a manager. To those who think Nugent should start, and those who say he's the 5th biggest Premier League flop ever (harsh, no?)

To those who even have a flicker of an eyelash of negativity towards my club, however reasonable and well rounded their argument might be:

This is my day, along with 25,000 others at the ground and the thousands and thousands more around the world. Win or lose, it is our result, our love of the club and our ultimate reward for believing through those times of administration.

It is our moment, and while we want to share it with the whole footballing world, it is ours, and ours alone.

Gareth Beavis
www.pompey-fans.com

Comments

[Mart]

Hey Gareth!
Nice article!!!
I too have been sh##ting bricks at the recent loss of form.I keep hoping that Harry has been telling the players: "Don`t get injured....take it easy.....the FA Cup final is coming up ....we need a full strength team...sod Europe for now" Hope I am right (which I rarely am). Lets face it,if anyone deserves to have the FA cup as part of his legacy then Harry does. I am going to need some sort of an injection to get through the game today as I am sooooooo nervous...LOL!!!

[Lester May]

Play Up Pompey!

[Sam]

Well quite honestly, if you had mentioned Harry's heaving bosom you could have quite easily made an epic novel of what should be one of the most boring in the history of the FA Cup (discounting Manchester United - Motherwell)

Pump up Pompey!