The FA Cup this year has provided perhaps the most exciting and unexpected domestic knockout tournament in living memory, with the big guns falling at every round and the underdogs progressing to the country’s biggest stage.
But after the confetti cannons die down and the groundsmen have finished sweeping the ticker tape, how will this final be remembered, and will the lack of world-class names cause the event to suffer?
This year’s shocks have added spice to what is usually a procession of the major Premier League clubs charging to the showpiece in May.
With Barnsley’s remarkable run, Havant and Waterlooville threatening to cause the biggest "Cupset" in the history of the competition and a winner having not lifted the trophy for at least 69 years, the FA Cup has undergone a major resurgence in 07-08.
But with the biggest players in English football watching the game in the comfort of their homes, the game threatens not to live up to the high expectations expected of the nation’s season finale.
History also threatens to put a damper on the celebratory atmosphere around Wembley on May 17. Neither Cardiff nor Portsmouth have won the Cup since World War II, a statistic which will be in the front of the minds of both sets of players.
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These clubs also know that an FA Cup final is an opportunity that will not come across every year of their careers. The fear of losing might just overpower the desire to win as defences could remain firmly on top during the final, making for a game lacking in quality or adventure.
Not only that, but with the dearth of "big names" in the sides, the audience of non-football fans will probably be smaller than in previous years.
Most who do not follow the game will take time out to watch a Manchester United vs. Arsenal final, but the prospect of Portsmouth vs. Cardiff presents something slightly lacking in terms of glamour.
Whilst this will not affect the atmosphere inside the stadium, which will certainly be rocking, the buzz around the country will not have the same edge to it.
Despite all this, I expect the FA Cup final of 2008 to be one that lives long in the memory of football fans. As was seen last year, quality of players does not necessarily equate to quality of match.
Chelsea vs Man United was possibly the most boring cup final of the modern era, with the excitement akin to the middle rounds of an Audley Harrison fight.
The passion of the occasion, the likes of which the vast majority of these players will not have seen before, could and should inject extra enthusiasm into the teams.
Both sets of fans have been looking forward to this match ahead of all others since the semi final wins. Indeed, some of the Portsmouth players seem to have decided that this is the only weekend that now matters as their league form disappears into mediocrity.
Both of these teams will surely see this occasion as the best chance for silverware in the last 20 years, with the only thing between them and the Cup being a side that cannot be seen of the uppermost quality.
Given this, I see a final being played in the greatest of spirit and an example that it is not only the "Big Four" that matter in English football.
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4 months ago
I think it shall be a great game. I can't wait to watch it and as always will be behing the underdog. Classic David vs Goliath final.
One must remember Portsmouth are one of England's better teams at the moment.
4 months ago
`As was seen last year, quality of players does not necessarily equate to quality of match. `
So Cristiano is the best in the world but plays in boring matches and was knocked out of the English cup this year.
Football must really be in trouble then.
from 4 months ago
You seem to be missing my point S B. What I meant was that the snoozefest that was last year's FA Cup final was between Manchester United and Chelsea, two teams with a rich pedigree and boasting some of the biggest names in world football.
Even though last year's was Utd vs. Chelsea, it was a terriblie game. Conversely, just because it is Portsmouth vs. Cardiff, doesn't mean it will be a poor game.
It is not a statement on the greater scene of world football, just a notion about this year's cup final with relation to last year.
from 4 months ago
And I quote again `snoozefest ` ` between Manchester United and Chelsea` but `some of the biggest names in world football`
Something doesn`t match up....boring ass football from the best players in the world is the message.
How about we fix it like `snoozefest between ManU and Chealsea with average players of average skill level who we foolishly overpaid for`
And stop using the word world so liberally....I doubt very much you watch football outside of Europe.
Say the best in Europe. You sound like the yanks with their worldseries bull.
from 4 months ago
I advise that you re-read the quote you referred to. "The biggest names in world football". You go on to infer the "best players in the world". They have the biggest names, not the necessarily the biggest talent.
I take your point about the "world" issue. I do occasionally watch global football but I must admit my south American league knowledge is limited only to the clubs with the biggest reputations (Boca, River, Corinthians, Sao Paolo, Internacional, Vasco etc.).
However, when I referred to "world" it was with regard to the reputation of the players, something that those who ply their trade in Europe can surely lay claim to.
Whilst you have every right to raise an issue with any part of my text, I feel that this thread is taking us away from the point of what I wrote, namely that the smaller nature of the FA Cup finalists will not necessarily devalue the competition.
from 4 months ago
Yes....if we get back to the main point I think your article is great.
My view that the big four and some of the so called star players are really not so hot compliments it.
p.s. Find it funny you mentioned Internacional. There only claim to fame is a world club cup. It shows the cup does have some importance in England. They are a low budget side and this year they seem to be at it again running over others. You can expect some new talent to be bought from them heading to Europe in a couple of years or sooner.
from 4 months ago
Thanks S B.
Most British fans (regrettably) only get to see South American football through the club world championships.
I for one think that the rivalries in the S.A. domestic league rival anything else in the world (and this time I do mean world!). In an article from a magazine here called FourFourTwo last month, they had a four page spread on the Vasco vs. Flamengo and Flamengo/Fluminese rivalry - it sounds incredible.
Seriously, you did make a really good point with European/World issue. I didn't mean to belittle the other leagues and I will be making a conscious effort not to confuse the two in any future pieces. It's one of my ambitions to go to one of those matches now!
4 months ago
Jonathan I think S B has a problem with Ronaldo but he/she doesn't know what it is so never mind him.
This years final promises to be great. If the game doesn't provide a great game we'll defientely have a great outcome with one of these teams promised of a shot in Europe..
from 4 months ago
The guy reminds me of Bebeto. He`s good but grossly overrated.
I have no problem with Cristiano. Hey ..he`s Portuguese like a cousin. Brazilian Big Phil is his national coach...Brazilian Deco is his national team mate.
I have a problem with the exagerated media coverage.... and the public lapping it up.
4 months ago
I just can't see this being an entertaining game (exciting yes as the cup depends on it) - so far Portsmouth have qualified for the final by a series of 1-0 victories that haven't exactly set the heart racing. They are a largely defensive outfit who rely heavily on a physical style of play and we all saw that West Brom knocked the ball around a lot nicer than they did in the semi.
I can't see there being more than one goal, and this will probably go to Portsmouth. They will look to give nothing away and then hopefully grab a goal from a set-piece of counter attack. They have little or no attacking sytle in my opinion.
To be honest I haven't seen much of Cardiff but I don't think they will have it in them to turn this into a great match of football. Regrettably I anticipate a rather drab affair with few goals or real attacking flair.
4 months ago
Cardiff are capable of playing excellent football (see their excellent win at Middlesbrough, when they were excellent), but Portsmouth are very good defensively. I don't think its possible to predict what type of game it will be, it might be a thriller, it might be boring.
If Pompey score first, then it may well be boring. With Campbell and Distin they have experience and reliability at the back to hold on to a lead and play on the break. If Cardiff score first, then it could be a very good game, so I will hoping for a Cardiff goal to get the game going.
And Darlon, are you saying that your great Brazil have NEVER been involved in a boring game? Did you not watch the World Cup QF of 2006 against France? Or what about the 1994 World Cup final? Any team with any class of player are capable of being in a boring game, sometimes it just happens. You live in a dream world if you think every game with quality players involved will automatically be a good game, but then, I think its already pretty well established that you live in world of your own.
from 4 months ago
Not so Simon.....I love all football. 2006 against France was not boring. France played well and won end of story. That`s why I fancy Chelsea...I find them very efficient much like that French team.
1994 was boring and there was public outcry here that went on before and throughout the tourney.
If you ask any Brazilian who their favourite team is they will tell you the 1982 team which lost.
Baring the real youngsters who prefer the 2002 team. Brazilians love the sport not winning. If it were winnig we loved then volleyball would be the national passion. I think we have like 6 or whatever world titles ...but who gives a shite.
So you do have a point ....at rare times great players do come up short. I blame the coach for 1994 though and 2006 to some extent. Thank god South Africa got rid of him. He does not represent Brazilian football well .
from 4 months ago
Oh......and Simon....we all live in our own little dream worlds. I plan to write about this next.
Flamengo just won the state championship for the 30th. time!! Yet fans here celebrate like it`s a world cup and pay little attention to Libertadores. I see this in England ,Italy and of course Europe as a whole.
Football needs to get more global.
Just the world cup is not good enough.
Maybe FIFA`s not doing a good job.....time for a Kerry Packer style world league.
End to binding slave like contracts.
End to hiding real talent and promoting pretty boys.
heheh ...getting carried away again....ahh the beautiful sport and how it hypes us up.
4 months ago
Maybe I'm just an old grey beard pessimist Jon, but I simply cannot even get close to your optimism on the 2008 Cup Final. My reasons are simply based on the play to date of "Pompey", who sadly in my opinion lacking footballers capable of taking a game by the scruff of the neck and making it EXCITING. As for Cardiff City, although I have much regard for Dave Jones, their manager, who has had to deal with some "rotten hands" during his time in football, he to is hamstrung with a posse of "bog standard" players. Then of course, they have an "owner", Peter Risdale, who to date has succeeded in grinding down two clubs, Leeds United & Bradford City. Nuff said !
from 4 months ago
Jimmy floyd, Trevor Sinclair, Ledley all players capable of turning it on for the afternoon.
As for Peter Risdale, I must admit I'm with you there.
3 months ago
Well, Mr Naylor, I thought you were wrong when you wrote that. I had always imagined that a game that had two teams competing who were desperate for silverware would have excitement far exceeding that of a top-flight Premiership teamed final. But based on what I just saw, I am reconsidering my opinions...
...because that had to be the most tedious game I've ever seen - probably even exceeding last years atrocious effort. There were even kids in the park outside having a kick-about that couldn't be bothered to watch the second half - something I don't blame them for after having seen the unprecedented negativity of the first. Despite a handful of efforts and a disallowed goal, a single goal won it amidst the backdrop of some of the most scrappy and ugly play ever seen at Wembley. Games based on defence are best played by the Italians who at least inject a bit of skill and flair along with it - but what people want to see in an an FA cup final is a fast, free-flowing and attacking/counterattacking game - exactly what wasn't on offer today.
I'd probably think differently if I was a partisan supporter, but I'm not - so I don't. Congratulations to "Matt" for such a good call on this one. Lord knows what causes such a promisiong spectacle to turn to trash but I have a suspicion, Mr Naylor, that you may have been right all along.
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