Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany says his team-mates have not underestimated the significance of winning the FA Cup, ahead of Saturday's showdown with Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium.
City failed to mount a sustained defence of their Premier League title this season as Manchester United wrested it back to Old Trafford with five matches to spare.
Roberto Mancini's side also struggled to make an impact in European competition, having exited the Champions League at the group stage.
But when it was put to him on Thursday that victory over Wigan in the final would represent a consolation prize, Belgium international Kompany insisted that would not be the case.
"If we win this one, it will be massive for the club and something to cherish," Kompany said.
"Coming from where we come from, we have to be respectful of every trophy we can get. You shouldn't take these kind of games for granted -- they don't always keep coming."
City have won seven straight games against Wigan, scoring 13 goals without conceding, but Kompany believes their opponents will provide a stern test at Wembley.
"They are one of the more difficult sides we have played this season," he said.
"You can see it's a team that doesn't fear keeping possession. When it's going well for them, they are a very difficult team to play against. We have to be careful."
Meanwhile, City midfielder James Milner believes Alex Ferguson's decision to announce his retirement as Manchester United manager has not overshadowed the build-up to the final.
Ferguson, 71, will step down at the end of the season after 26 trophy-filled years at the Old Trafford helm, which has inevitably taken some of the focus away from City's preparations for the showpiece event on Saturday.
"I don't think that affects us, really," said the England international. "We concentrate on our business over here and it's obviously big news, but all we are concentrating on us the FA Cup final.
"It's not going to be any more open than it would have been if he was there next year. He's been an amazing manager for them over the years -- his record is ridiculous, unreal -- but we are concerned by our side."
Milner says that winning the competition will help prepare the City players for the challenge of competing for the Premier League title next season.
"We are bitterly disappointed how the league went this year," he said.
"But the main thing is that we win a piece of silverware, do that and take the momentum of winning a trophy into next season and have a good league campaign.
"It's tough to get to any final. There's one game standing between you and a piece of silverware and it's an awesome feeling to win it.
"You want to keep that momentum of winning trophies, and win as many medals and trophies as you can. The FA Cup is a great tournament. We won it once (in 2011) and hopefully we can do it again."
Yaya Toure has confirmed that he will be fit to face Wigan, having come off in City's 0-0 against Swansea City at the weekend with muscle fatigue.
"I am good. Sometimes it is difficult to play all the games at the same level and sometimes you can get an injury," said the Ivory Coast midfielder.
"But we have worked on that, trying to keep injury far away and trying to concentrate on delivering at the weekend.
"I am already fit. I started training three days ago and I am well in now. I want to deliver a good game and help the team to achieve something important."
Source: AFP
