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Just over 24 hours to go till the Blue Army meet Cardiff in the FA Cup final, and the nerves are already jangling for me let alone the players and Harry.  The stress levels haven’t been helped by them losing their last four matches on the spin, where it looks as if they have been saving themselves for this weekend.  The problem is that form winning is a habit and once its broken its not that easy to get back.  Just ask Watford!

Harry has already pretty much said its not going to be a spectacle, saying that ten years from now nobody will remember the performance and much as he would love the team to turn it on the result is all that counts.  Honest but it doesn’t exactly whet the appetite for the neutral, although both sets of supporters will go through the wringer whatever happens.  Therefore an early goal might be just what’s required.

David “Calamity” James has admitted that his performances in previous finals has been poor (hence the nick name) but he has promised a good game this time round.  The problem is he has had a fabulous season - even I am forced to admit that - but his decision making in big games has always been an issue.  I think he cracks a bit under pressure, and will no doubt come for a cross or two he shouldn’t and if there is a one on one situation will almost certainly give away a penalty.  But maybe that’s just me be pessimistic….

On the upside, Sol Campbell has a habit of popping up to score in big games (although for England they tend to be ruled out for one reason or another).  So I’m backing him to score from a corner and Pompey to run out 1-0 winners.  Might have to be 2-1 if Calamity gives one away…

A quick word on the play offs before I go.  I was tempted into a bet on Watford to turn around their 2 goal deficit against Hull.  Not through any  affinity for Watford but because they were 10/1 and that looked like a good bet - at least for the first 40 minutes.  However, now that Hull have made the final, I hope they go on to win it, for reasons mentioned earlier in this blog - Mainly because they are just down the road and I might get to watch them play Pompey next year.

Also, a quick word about Leeds who were trailing 2-1 to Carlisle after the first leg.  Having blown £10 on Watford I was tempted to look at the  odds on Leeds to turn the tie around, but bottled it and never even looked at the odds, which I imagine were similar to Watford.  Another error as they duely did just that thanks to a 91st minute goal.  Again. I hope they now go on and win the final and then get back to the Premiership as I really enjoyed going to Elland Road last time and watching Pompey beat them in front of their own supporters!