9:34am Saturday 17th May 2008
By Andy Cryer
CARDIFF has been the place to be during FA Cup final week in recent years as thousands poured into Wales to cheer their side on to English football's most coveted prize.
But as the city prepares for their long-awaited shot at hijacking England's big day, Christian Roberts is expecting to cut a lonely figure in his homeland - as his injury nightmare prevents him from joining the pilgrimage to London.
After seven years of hosting the world's most famous club cup competition, Cardiff saw the FA Cup final reclaimed by Wembley last year.
Twelve months on, City have reached the blue riband event for the first time in 81 years.
Cardiff-born Roberts has never lost his affinity for the club but, due to his continued rehabilitation from a serious knee injury, he will be one of the few Bluebird fans left the other side of the bridge as they lock horns with Premiership giants Portsmouth.
He said: "It is typical really. The day Cardiff reach the FA Cup final and I am on crutches and just could not cope with going. To be honest it is really getting to me.
"Fortunately I hope I will be off them some time next week because the last couple of months have been really hard. Still, I will definitely be watching the final in Cardiff and cheering on the boys.
"In recent years cup final week has been so hectic in Cardiff and I think they should have kept it at the Millennium Stadium. It is ironic that soon after it goes back to Wembley, Cardiff get there.
"I can't imagine what the city would have been like had the final still been held in Cardiff. It would have been a memorable atmosphere."
While Portsmouth go into the clash as huge favourites to lift the trophy, Roberts insists you write Cardiff off at your peril.
He said: "I think Portsmouth are the Premier League side Cardiff would have wanted to face in the final.
"On their day they are class but they have too many off days. They are going into it on a poor run of form and I really believe the form book could be upset.
"It sounds strange saying Cardiff could be in Europe. But they have a real chance and the passionate fans will really get behind them on Saturday."
Despite Wales' absence from the summer's European Championships, Roberts believes there are plenty of signs that Welsh football is on the rise.
"It has been a good season for football in the country," he said. "Swansea have gone up while Cardiff have done well in the league and have capped it with their final appearance.
"This can only be good for the future of the game as well because the better the Welsh clubs the better chance our youngsters have of playing at a high level."
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