Source: Team_Talk
De Vries sees the bigger picture
De Vries will be in goal when the Swans take on Premier League Fulham at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.[LNB]But the Dutchman will not need his team-mates to stress just how much the famous competition means, after making the trip to Cardiff from his native country for the 2002 cup final at the Millennium Stadium.[LNB]He explained: "The FA Cup is a fantastic competition with a great history.[LNB]"I love it so much I flew from Holland to go to the Millennium Stadium to watch the final with Chelsea against Arsenal.[LNB]"I had the possibility of getting a ticket and, as a football supporter, it was just too good an opportunity to miss.[LNB]"It was a great day. The cup is something special for everyone."[LNB]However, the goalkeeper has seen the other side of the coin after suffering cup heartbreak with Dunfermline after they made the Scottish Cup final in 2007 in front of a full house at Hampden Park.[LNB]The fairytale turned sour as they went down 1-0 to Celtic when defender Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe scored a late winner for the Hoops.[LNB]De Vries and his team-mates were also relegated that season, and the former Holland Under-21 international knows the importance of prioritising between the cup and the league.[LNB]The 28-year-old told The Western Mail: "I played in the Scottish Cup final with Dunfermline and it was a great day, one you remember all of your life, but we were relegated that season.[LNB]"We managed to get the performances going in the cup, but not the league which was a problem. Looking back, we wished we had stayed up and not made it to the cup final."[LNB]He also compared it to rivals Cardiff's FA Cup run last season, adding: "Sure they made the final, but then they lost and also missed out on promotion.[LNB]"Of course the fans had a good day out, but as professional player you want to win things.[LNB]"In the end they were empty-handed. So a cup run would be very nice, but the chance of promotion is much more important to us."[LNB]Swansea go into the game as favourites with many bookmakers, despite being a league below Roy Hodgson's Cottagers, due to their impressive home form compared to Fulham's disastrous away performances.[LNB]The Swans have only lost once in the league at The Liberty Stadium all season, while Fulham have yet to win a Premier League match away from Craven Cottage this term.[LNB]But boss Roberto Martinez insists the Swans are still underdogs, and he would not have it any other way.[LNB]"We're the underdogs and we like it that way," the Spaniard told the South Wales Evening Post.[LNB]"We are playing against a Premier League side who have been built with a big cheque book and have a lot of experience of world football.[LNB]"Yes, being at home can make a difference in the cup - but we are not the favourites."[LNB][LNB]
