Underdogs fail to ignite FA Cup fire

In a week when more British teams are competing in European finals than ever before, Portsmouth and Cardiff City must be wondering what they have to do to bring attention to themselves and their FA Cup Final on Saturday.

As the top teams fell from grace in the FA Cup, the tournament was once again being talked up and that the old romance in the competition still existed. And yet, with Manchester United and Chelsea competing in the first All-England Champions League final only four days later, there is almost a case for all involved in the FA Cup Final to throw their hands up in desperation. The focus continues to be on the other final.

Ever since they reached the final both Cardiff and Portsmouth’s focus has been on Saturday’s final. While the welsh tried in vain to push on at the end of the season for a Championship play-off, their heart was never fully in it, as they awaited their day in the May sunshine in Wembley. Portsmouth took their foot off the pedal even earlier, satisfied with their lot and aware they could not realistically challenge those ahead of them for a UEFA Cup spot in the Premier League. A win on Saturday was seen as an easier road into Europe.

The romance of tomorrow’s final will not be lost on the two teams, their managers and their players. But to others it might not be the same. The winner will be the first outside the ‘Big 4’ to win the FA Cup since Everton in 1995. The winner will go into next year’s UEFA Cup. But because there is no great love amongst the neutral fans for either club, the romance and the big build-up has simply not materialised.

And when Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Carvalho and Didier Drogba all hint at moves away from their clubs, it is not hard to see why the FA Cup has been pushed down the headlines.

BBC and Sky Sports will build it up tomorrow with pieces about the ball being used, Wembley, the suits, the hotels the teams are staying in and the dressing room superstitions. But it won’t matter because the neutrals won’t be watching.

Manchester United and Chelsea have not finished their seasons yet. They’re still the headline grabbers and as long as they are still in contention for more silverware, they will continue to grab the headlines.