Pompey gives me a semi

Will shed tears if we botch up the replay. One game away from Wembley, be it a semi-final. I bet tabloid hacks across the country are busy sacrificing virgins in the hope that we beat Fulham and set up a triffic contest with Portsmouth. Redknapp slap bang in the middle of one massive journalistic clusterfuck of a story.

Harry up against the club he left behind, the club he returned to pluck the likes of Defoe, Crouch, Niko and whatshisname, the French dude with no eyebrows. The club in administration, practically gutted to the bone. There's still plenty of meat to get your teeth stuck into, and with Fulham about to enter a titanic fixture list of games, I would personally be devastated if we somehow managed to allow them to win through the replay and see them face the south-coast club instead of us.

Yes, 4th spot is important. But ffs, this is the business end of the FA Cup. And it's been an age since we got our suits measured. Silverware. You can stick it on a trophy cabinet.

Having said that, Pompey in a cup final is drenched in ye old FA cup magic irony. So expect the footballing Gods to be wearing their colours, ringing out a cowbell in that traditional annoying manner that grates eternally. Considering their plight it almost feels like destiny. Or probably does from their fans perspective. No doubt if this (us v them) is the game that does take place, most will be rooting for the underdog.

I'd happily accept our role as party-poopers/villains in this.

COYS.

It's only the FA Cup

Hola.

I've been swamped, hence the lack of anything blog related today. Not even had time to browse through the various forums and news sites to see what's occurring. In fact, all I know as of 2pm today is:

- Celtic lost 1-0 last night. Keane managed to aim all his shots at the opposing keeper.
- A Crystal Palace right-back who hasn't scored since 2008 notched a 'perfect' hat-trick in the space of 7 minutes (left foot, right foot, header), knocking Wolves out (Palace fan sits behind me in the office).
- We've apparently got some kids on the bench tonight for the trip to deepest Yorkshire.

Ryan Fredericks, Harry Kane and Dean Parrett being the kids (last I heard - anyone care to confirm otherwise?). Regardless of the inexperience that may or may not be sitting and watching, the team that will be selected best wipe the floor with the League One opposition. The very same League One opposition who stole the show at WHL.

Yes, yes, we could do without this game in our push for 4th (push? - more like sleep walk at the minute) and we can do without picking up any more injuries, considering that we're already without Azza and BAE. So all eyes on Modric, Defoe and Palacios. And Dawson. And probably Bale too. And let's not forget Niko. Cannot afford even the slightest knock. At least Kaboul and Eidur are available for the Villa  4th Place-Shoot Off. Seriously, I've just had to accept Kaboul as our big name Jan signing, so I'm now looking forward to his wonderfully plucked eyebrows. Seriously, just stare at them. Do so long enough and you'll find yourself in a daze. Sultry.

But anyways, my point is, it's the FA Cup, we didn't do ourselves justice in the first game and considering everyone is expecting Beckford to destroy us tonight (just you listen to the ITV commentary and make a note of how many times they mention the 1-0 win at OT and 'marching on together') we need to go there and turn the game into an anti-FA Cup magic display of complete professionalism from us. 3-0, kill it off. No heroics. No penalty shout outs. Bolton for the winner, and then its all within touching distance.

It's time not to choke but to punch out and give it some. I hope Harry motivates the players pre-match rather than down play it all as an inconvenience.

The future is white, the future is Lilywhite.

Think we can muster that?

Of course not.

Get your excuses ready for tomorrow.