FA Cup Final Poll Results: Portsmouth of Cardiff City?

The results are is:

Who will win the FA Cup?

Portsmouth – 82%

Cardiff – 18%

I knew Pompey were favourites but I didn’t think the poll would be quite so one-sided – but I’m sure that’ll suit the Bluebirds just fine.

Less than half an hour to go now…

FA Cup Memories: Liverpool v West Ham, 2006 Final

Probably the best final in recent years, it’s also the only one I have missed in recent years as I was visiting my grandfather in hospital.

Enjoy…

FA Cup Memories: Coventry City v Tottenham Hotspur, 1987 Final

The first FA Cup Final I can remember was the 1987 showpiece between Coventry and Spurs when I was six.

My main memory of the day was feeling really really sorry for Gary Mabbutt when he scored the own goal, and the look on Kilcline’s face when he lifted the cup. It was great.

It was also the first time I was exposed to John Motson (aye carumba) and features one of the most famous Cup Final goals, Keith Houchen’s diving header.

Enjoy (unless you’re a Spurs fan)…

The Road to Wembley 2008: Portsmouth

One of my favourite parts of Cup Final Day used to be the segments on the “Road to Wembley”. Here’s Portsmouth’s…

Third Round – Ipswich Town (A).

Fourth Round – Plymouth Argyle (H).

Fifth Round – Preston North End (A).

Quarter Final – Manchester United (A).

Semi Final – West Bromwich Albion.

The Road to Wembley 2008: Cardiff City

One of my favourite parts of Cup Final Day always used to be the segments on the “Road to Wembley”. Here’s Cardiff’s (with a little bit of naughty language)…

Part One

Part Two

FA Cup Final Preview: Portsmouth v Cardiff City

It’s the biggest day on the English football calendar – FA Cup Final day.

When I was growing up the FA Cup Final really was a full day of brilliant build-up leading to the game. That’s all kind of been diluted these days with the advent of satellite television and round-the-clock televised matches, but if there is a day that should show the world what English football is all about it’s today, so I’m going to be posting lots of FA Cup-related stuff today in its honour.

This year should be made all the more special because for the first time since 1995 one of the “big four” won’t get their name on the cup.

Portsmouth have won the Cup once, back in 1939, and are installed as favourites against Cardiff – who also have one also won the Cup once – in 1927.

A few facts…

League Position: Portsmouth 8th (Premier League), Cardiff 12th (Championship).

Top Goalscorer: Portsmouth – Benjani (now Manchester City, 12), Cardiff – Ledley/Parry (11).

My Prediction: Ordinarily I’d go for the underdog, but to be completely honest I want Portsmouth to win. I don’t think that the Welsh anthem should be played or that Cardiff should be allowed to play in Europe next season if they win, but that’s my problem and I’ll get over it.

All of that aside, I can’t wait for the game to start. I just wish Virgin Media had sorted my HD out in time. Oh well, you can’t have everything can you?

I’ll leave the last word to Bluebirds boss Dave Jones

Maybe, over the last few years, the FA Cup has lost a little bit of magic because it’s been the same teams (in the final). But Portsmouth and ourselves have broken the mould this season – we want to make our own history.

Enjoy the day.

Am I the only person disappointed that Leeds beat Carlisle? Erm, pretty much yes.

Yesterday I posted a quick poll asking whether or not I was the only person disappointed that Leeds had beaten Carlisle in the League One play-offs.

It’s fair to say that a number of Leeds fans weren’t exactly too impressed and, erm, the results are in:

Yes – 83%

No – 17%

Fairly conclusive I think you’ll agree, meaning either most of the rest of the country wanted Leeds to win, or lots of Leeds fans voted.

Either way the results are fair and square and I’m big enough and ugly enough to take it on the chin, hold my hands up and admit I was wrong.

I’ve learnt several things from this exercise:

1. There are a lot of ways people spell “d*ckhead”.
2. An awful lot of people will go out of there way to tell you how little they care about what you think.
3. If you are going to write a smart-arse post, be prepared to face the consequences.

With all that in mind, I have to say well done Leeds supporters. I still think your chairman is a bit of a wally, but thanks to those of you who left reasonable arguments in your comments (people like Gerry C, Daryn, Trevor, Simon and Stuart), I think you may have actually changed my mind.

I’m not going to patronise you and say I’ll be roaring you on next week because to be fair I probably won’t, but maybe the Championship wouldn’t be as bad a place with Leeds United in it than I thought.

So good luck at Wembley – and if you get promoted I might even buy some of you a pint down at Carrow Road next season (although Mr Bolton I think I might let you get your own ).