FA Cup Final v Watford - Pre Match Thread

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Psychedelic Casual said:
Indeed!

The first competition we won as a club. We’ve won the old trophy and the new one.

Here’s some shots from the 1904 FA Cup final at Crystal Palace:
1904-hold.ashx

fa-cup-final-1903-to-04-action.jpg

Where we beat Bolton 1-0 with a Billy Meredith goal to secure Manchester’s First major trophy.
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Wow Jrb had a camera in them days..Fking posh boy..
 
I expect City to play with a bit more freedom. It's a cup final and a chance at a treble but I think they'll feel less pressure than they have recently. Anything can happen in football but I fancy a solid win for the blues.
 
Cup Final R/Up said:
The day before the Cup Final and very little in the media. They all seem to be concentrating on how to get to Baku or the CL final which is over two weeks away. I thought City were the media darlings but apparently not.
It is probably true that most fans of other clubs apart from Wolves and that horrible little third world club down the M1 with an airport will be wanting us to win tomorrow as everybody loves an underdog.
If we set up as normal, 4-2-2-2, then I fear the worst but I trust in Gracia to change things around tactically to give us a chance. We probably have about a 5% chance of winning but at least that's something to cling on to.
What I can't stand hearing is that we're just going for the occasion and no matter what the result we will have a great day. I will enjoy the build up in the bars beforehand but if we lose I will definitely not enjoy it and will be gutted. It's taken 35 years to get here again and if it takes that again I may not be alive to see it so no, we are not there just for the occasion.
Are Fernandinho and De Bruyne fit? Please don't play Aguero, I feel he needs a rest so he's raring to go in August!
Good forum this, other clubs forums should take note
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Kun....rest until August. It’s TEN weeks away !!

Unless he’s had a double amputation he’ll be playing for 70 minutes.
 
Expecting a much more focused performance than the Wigan game, Watford are loads better than they were anyway.

The Chelsea final & Brighton semi weren't spectacular for neutrals, with all this UEFA shit going on and the game going worldwide it'd be nice to show what Europe could miss if they chuck a shitty ban in.
 
BlueBee100 said:
Kun....rest until August. It’s TEN weeks away !!

Unless he’s had a double amputation he’ll be playing for 70 minutes.
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I'm concerned for the fella, he's not getting any younger and don't want to risk him. The fact he's scored 72 goals in 6 games against us has nothing to do with it!
 
omcfc said:
I expect City to play with a bit more freedom. It's a cup final and a chance at a treble but I think they'll feel less pressure than they have recently. Anything can happen in football but I fancy a solid win for the blues.
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Yep. This is how I see it too. The intense pressure of the league title race lifted. The season is already a success regardless of tomorrow so time for the lads to go out and turn on the style.
 
Pep is very keen to add this trophy to his CV such is the respect he has for this cup competition and the wider game. Expect our focused, committed and business-like approach by all from the first second.
That's what trophy winners do!
 
So....the FA Cup Final...

I think there are two reasons why there are so few comments. Certainly the FFP thread is somewhat busy but I also think that we are all very relaxed about it. That's not saying we are guaranteed to win but the fact that we have the big one in the bag takes the pressure off hugely.

I am quietly confident, mind..
 
Maybe it’s the years supporting City, maybe it’s memories of Wigan but I’m never happy when we’re down as overwhelming favourites.

Thing is Watford are a decent side, yes we won both matches against them but in both we were comfortable and then suddenly they clicked.

In the first game a Delph cock up in Vicarage Road brought them into it so we ended up hanging on. In the second they brought Deeney on at the Etihad, they scored and we were uncomfortable until the end. That’s not forgetting we only went in front by an offside goal.

Tomorrow will get a very tough game against a dogged, physical and well coached side. They came from 2-0 in the semi final so they won’t be wanting for self belief. This is their one chance this season so they’ll be very hungry.

We are better than they are so if we can fire for one more match we’ll win. What we don’t know is whether our team will play at its best now the pressure is off after winning the league. Will the players play with the same intensity but free from pressure or will they have relaxed after the celebrations on Sunday? Pep will no doubt insist on the former so fingers crossed he gets it.

2 other things come to mind- firstly Watford have never won anything of significance so with Elton John leading them out the same week as his movie premiere there’ll be lots of narrative around that.

Secondly no one knows what effect, if any, the NYT/FFP/UEFA nonsense will have on the players. Maybe none maybe it will be a factor. The Mancini sacking certainly seemed to get a factor 6 years ago, yes that was far closer to home for the players but hopefully it won’t influence tomorrow’s match the same way it’s influenced the build up.

We should win but how often has this wonderful club the unexpected, even in winning!
 
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