Source: FOOTYMAD
Chelsea vs Portsmouth: The Fratton Faithful FA Cup Final Preview
Dreaming the impossible dream. The 129th FA Cup Final will be contested by the cup winners of 2008 and the cup winners of 2009. It's top vs bottom, kings vs peaseants, Avram Grant against the club that unceremoniously sacked him. You could bill this FA Cup Final in many ways but one things is for certain, it will be a borderline miracle if Pompey were to win football's oldest competition.Team NewsDavid James will start in goal for Pompey with Steve Finnan at right back and the "Rochoena connection" paired at centre back. Left back is a difficult position to predict as Nadir Belhadj is pencilled in for that role after recovering from injury but if he fails to declare himself fit then the position could go to Hayden "Roberto Carlos" Mullins after his excellent performance against Tottenham, or Anthony Vanden Borre could be asked to do a job.Marc Wilson is Pompey's biggest doubt as he is still struggling with the hamstring problem that forced him off against Everton. The better news is that Jamie O'Hara should play after some pain killing injections whilst Hassan Yebda and Kevin-Prince Boateng look like they'll both be available for selection.Aruna Dindane was a doubt with a groin injury but has participated in training and should be fit, but whether he will start depends on if Avram Grant wants to play two up front, because Frederic Piquionne is certain to start as he leads the line best.Chelsea skipper John Terry will play despite bruising on his foot but Branislav Ivanovic, one of Carlo Ancelotti's star performers this season, is doubtful with a knee injury so Paulo Ferreira could deputise at right back.Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel are out so Michael Ballack is likely to fill in as a holding midfielder, meaning the likes of Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard can push forward.Didier Drogba won the Premier League's Golden Boot award and will start up front on his own and is likely to be supported by Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou.The MatchSo, after a season of four owners, two managers, staff wages constantly being paid late, countless defeats, winding up orders, protests, administration, a points deduction and relegation, Pompey's 2009/2010 comes down to this - a fairytale FA Cup Final against the best team in the country.All I've heard since we beat Tottenham in the semi-final is how we're going to get destroyed in the final, how an FA runners-up medal is a good end to a torrid season and how Pompey fans are just going to Wembley to "enjoy the day" before the impending chaotic summer ahead.However, Avram Grant hasn't been thinking like this. Our players haven't been thinking like this and I know I haven't been thinking like this. I've become a little bit annoyed with the defeatist attitude amongst most people, even some of our own fans, because I truly believe that we can pull off one of, if not the, biggest FA Cup final upsets of all time.It's true that the stats are heavily against us. After all, Chelsea won the Premier League having scored 103 goals and have reached the final with relative ease. In 15 games against them since promotion, we have drawn 1 and lost 14 having scored 3 goals and conceded 36.However, if you want some hope going into this game then you only have to consider that if we were to win tomorrow then it arguably wouldn't even be the biggest FA Cup shock of the season after League One Leeds turned over Manchester United at Old Trafford.Liverpool also fell to Championship Reading this season, so the FA Cup still has the capacity to shock, even when the result does seem set in stone.Even Chelsea themselves ended up losing 2-1 to Tottenham just a week after Pompey had beaten Harry Redknapp's men. Carlo Ancelottii's men have also lost to Wigan this season, a team who could not even beat Pompey's reserves.Of course, Chelsea are strong favourites for this because they are better than us in every area of the pitch. However, we do have a trump card in David James. If he is on top form and can keep the shots of Drogba et al at bay then we've got a chance of nicking one at the other end.However, we need to have our strongest team possible if we are to harbour any realistic hopes of winning. Everyone in a white and maroon shirt must play to their absolute best and hope that the men in blue have an off day.Perhaps the pace of our strikers can get the better of Chelsea's less-than-speedy defence or maybe someone like Belhadj or Boateng can smash one from 30 yards and see the ball sail past Petr Cech into the top corner.We'll probably need some luck though, whether it's another slip on the Wembley turf (which is still a cause for concern) or if one of their players is sent off. After all, they had their fair share of luck against us at Fratton Park this season.I believe we can pull of what may be the club's best ever achievement. It's just sad to know that whatever happens after this game, the heroes of this extraordinary cup run will disband because of circumstances beyond their control.I will be going to Wembley to enjoy what should be a memorable occasion for all Pompey fans. Hopefully we can fill our half of Wembley with a sea of white and remain defiant until the final whistle, whether we win or lose.Who knows? There can be no guarantees that this may be the last game that Portsmouth Football Club ever play so perhaps we should treat it as such. We should stay behind after the final whistle and make ourselves heard, whether it's David James or John Terry who lifts the trophy.This fairytale has to end one way or another. Our fans deserve some success after what has been probably the most torrid and disgraceful season in the club's long and proud history. Here's hoping for some sort of miracle, one that nobody will ever forget for as long as they live.Head To HeadThe last time Pompey beat Chelsea was in a League Cup tie on December 15th, 1960. Jimmy White was the scorer that day and to this day holds the record of being Pompey's youngest goalscorer in a competitive match.The teams have met twice in the FA Cup previously. Chelsea triumphed at Fratton Park in the quarter-final of 1997 as Mark Hughes, Dennis Wise (twice) and Gianfranco Zola scored in a 4-1 win, with Deon Burton grabbing a late consolation. Chelsea won the trophy against Middlesbrough that year, who were the last relegated team to reach an FA Cup final.Pompey beat Chelsea 1-0 in an FA Cup fifth round replay at Fratton Park in 1929 having drawn the first game 1-1. Pompey would go to Wembley but lose the final to Bolton Wanderers 2-0.This season, Pompey were unlucky to lose at Stamford Bridge. Anelka had given the hosts an early lead but Piquionne pulled one back in the second half by firing a deflected free kick past Cech. It looked like Pompey would hold on for a well earned draw but Marc Wilson's silly challenge on Ivanovic handed Lampard the chance to win the game from the spot, which he took.Chelsea ran out 5-0 winners at Fratton Park thanks to some awful officiating from Lee Mason. There was a blatant foul on O'Hara before the opener, where Drogba walked the ball into the net after it hit a divot and rolled under James' attempted clearance.The next two goals were scored by Florent Malouda who should have been sent off for his elbow on Ricardo Rocha. Tommy Smith also had to go off after being hit by Danny Sturridge's trailing arm. Drogba scored again before Lampard tapped in a fifth.After so many defeats against the West Londoners, I think it's time for a little payback, don't you?Predicted Starting Line-UpsChelseaGK: Petr CECHRB: Branislav IVANOVICCB: John TERRYCB: Ricardo CARVALHOLB: Ashley COLECM: Michael BALLACKCM: Florent MALOUDACM: Frank LAMPARDRWF: Nicolas ANELKALWF: Salomon KALOUCF: Didier DROGBAPompeyGK: David JAMESRB: Steve FINNANCB: Aaron MOKOENACB: Ricardo ROCHALB: Nadir BELHADJDM: Michael BROWNCM: Jamie O'HARACM: Hassan YEBDAAM: Kevin-Prince BOATENGCF: Frederic PIQUIONNECF: Aruna DINDANEFinal ThoughtsPompey have a chance to make history tomorrow by being the first relegated team in administration to win the FA Cup. The entire world believes we're going to lose, with many pundits predicting a heavy defeat.To suggest that the worst team in the league can beat the best is ridiculous but then Pompey are a ridiculous club that are capable of producing a shock result to stun the world of football.I don't believe in God but I'll certainly be praying for a miracle tomorrow. Who knows? This team of rejects, loanees and veterans led by the inspiration and knowledge of Avram Grant may well write themselves into the history books.It's going to be a horrible summer after this, so let's go to Wembley and hope for one of the greatest achievements in the history of Portsmouth Football Club and show the world that we will never die!The FA Cup has always been about the impossible dream. After Saturday, that dream may become reality.Play Up Pompey!
