FA Cup Final Betting: Learn to read the signs as the managers show their poker faces

Champions League / Frank Gregan / 15 May 2008 / Leave a Comment

Frank Gregan once had to tell one of his players that they wouldn't be required at Wembley stadium. By the sound of things, George Formby was less than pleased.

Whenever there is an interview with the manager of a side from a lower division pitted against Premier League opponents, I pay very close attention. I particularly listen out for a number of key phrases. "We're just going to go out there and enjoy it," translates into, "We don't fancy our chances but we'll give it a go." "We're going to enjoy the occasion," means "As far as I'm concerned we are already beat" and "We need the opposition to have an off day and we need to be right on our game," is another way of saying "if I were you I'd have a few bob on the other team!"

So far, Cardiff's Dave Jones has been very coy in relation to his quotes with the national media. He was however, a studio guest on local radio last Friday and came across in a very positive frame of mind. Conversely, in his latest interview Harry Redknapp talks of "enjoying the occasion." Could a shock be on the cards?

The preparation for both sides this week will be very different when compared to a league game, but particularly for the Championship side, most of whom will be experiencing this level of media coverage for the first time. It is the sporting event of the weekend and everyone will want a piece of the manager and his players. It will be a relaxing week, probably at a Hotel and Country Club within a three iron of the M25. The training sessions will be low intensity with the emphasis on the pattern of play and shape they will be adopting come Saturday. I would expect them to place heavy emphasis on set-plays as this looks likely to be a very tight game. Of course, there is also the dreaded penalty shoot out to prepare for.

The toughest part of all for the manager will probably be after the final training session. It is at that point that Dave Jones will have to walk up to three of his players, put an arm around their shoulder and tell them they are not in the squad for the Wembley final. It is a horrible thing to have to do, I have had to do it myself. It's not much fun but it goes with the territory.

Players are inconsolable after having been told they have not made the squad. A player I left out of a Wembley final came up to me at curfew time in the teams' hotel the night before the game and asked if he could stay up and have a couple of beers with the directors. I told him he could as long as he didn't make a racket. I'll never forget the look of abject dejection and irony on his face as he said to me "that's a pity - I'm in such a party mood I was just going to go and get my Ukulele!"

I think it is going to be a very tight game. Cardiff are not a typical Championship side, they like to get it down and play and I can see them causing an out of form Pompey a problem or two. I recommended backing Cardiff to lift the cup at [6.0] before the semi finals and I'm sticking with that selection. They are now priced at [3.75] and I still think that represents value. The other market I like the look of is the total goals and I can see them being very hard to come by. Consequently I'll be backing under 1.5 goals at [3.0].

I'll continue to watch the interviews and hope that Dave Jones stays positive. If he needs cheering up he can always look at Portsmouth's recent league results which shows a return of only one point from fifteen. Failing that he can always get one of his players who are left out of the squad to play him a tune on the ukulele!