Is it fair to say that Fulham enter today’s FA Cup Quarter-Final in confident mood following a highly impressive run of form lately?
Well, I think whenever we play at Craven Cottage we take to the field with confidence because we have a great record here. We feel that if we can perform like we know we can, we can beat anyone at home. But with the month that we have just had, of course confidence is high. However, that doesn’t make us any less prepared, because if we’re not at it from the off then there’s always a chance you will get turned over at this level. That certainly applies this evening, because let’s be honest, Tottenham have some world-class players which means we have to be at our best.
Tottenham come here also enjoying a fine season of their own. Knowing them well, what sort of threat to they bring?
They have quality throughout. It doesn’t matter what starting XI Harry Redknapp goes with, they have international players and match winners all over the pitch. They have Jermain Defoe, Luka Modric, Peter Crouch, Eidur Gudjohnsen who they have just signed, Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone when they are fit… names that roll off the tongue. That said, we will be aware of them, but we won’t be in awe. We know them well enough by now, and don’t forget we have our own qualities to trouble them as well. It will be a good game between two teams that want to play.
As a former Spurs player does it surprise you to see them as one of four clubs in the thick of that battle for a possible Champions League placing?
No, I’m not surprised. They’ve always had good players and a good squad, and for me it was only a matter of time before they started competing for a place in the top four and in the latter stages of the cup competitions. It was all about finding their consistency and they have that now. Harry Redknapp has helped achieve that and he deserves great credit because he is a terrific manager. He’s made some additions and they’ve had backing financially, which obviously helps, but they’ve also worked very hard to get where they have. They will push Liverpool and Manchester City all the way for that fourth place.
Jermain Defoe has scored in every round of the FA Cup so far. He’s a player bang on form isn’t he?
I’ve played with Jermain too and know him well. He’s got two great feet; he’s sharp and scores all types of goals. He’s now playing with a confidence that he probably hasn’t played with before and at the moment he looks like he’ll score every time that he gets the ball. That’s fantastic, not only for Tottenham, but England also. With the World Cup on the horizon, for me, he is the man to partner Wayne Rooney.
You’ve received your own plaudits this season, how has the campaign been for you personally so far?
It’s been a great season for everyone concerned and we have continued on from last year really. Collectively and individually we have done tremendously well and again this season we have produced some fantastic performances. Personally I have been relatively pleased and apart from the injury I had early on, think that I have played my part. I’ve got some assists and chipped in with some goals as well – and not just from the penalty spot I must add! I’m naturally one of those people that always strives for more and thinks that they can always do better, but I can’t ask for too much because this has been a good season so far and we’re doing well in the league and competing in two cups. That’s a tremendous achievement considering the amount of games we have played and with a comparatively small squad.
Without getting ahead of ourselves, we all know what is at stake today. What would it mean for you to lead this team out at Wembley?
I’ll keep this answer brief because it’s something that I don’t want to dwell too much on. It’s the Quarter-Final so we know what lies in wait for us and that’s a Semi-Final at one of the most historic stadiums in the world. It would be a very special moment for me, as it would for everyone associated with the Club. The supporters have been starved of moments like that for a long time, so it would be a great moment indeed.
With the two Manchester clubs, Arsenal and Liverpool already out of the competition, there will be a few clubs thinking this could be their year won’t there?
I think so. Obviously Chelsea will be the favourites, but the rest will fancy their chances because there isn’t too much separating those that also remain in the competition. Seeing the top clubs crash out is always a boost and this could well be someone else’s year. We will just have to wait and see what happens. For me, the FA Cup still has its magic. We have seen Leeds beat Man U in a terrific game, Reading knock Liverpool out after a replay and Stoke defeat Arsenal quite comfortably. It’s just a very special competition.
You know what it takes to go all the way to the Final having got there with Liverpool in 2001. Just how difficult is it to get that far?
You do need a bit of luck along the way and of course, it’s a lot to do with the draw as well. It’s also about avoiding the slip-ups when you play the teams from a lower division, which is something that we have done very well. Also it’s about performing on the day because you don’t get a second chance in the FA Cup do you? It’s a knockout competition and you have to perform on the day. I have great memories from playing in the FA Cup and 2001 was especially memorable and also the season we won three cups. In the Final we did get a bit of luck against Arsenal but that’s what you need.
What does the FA Cup mean to you?
The FA Cup is something I grew up on and I think I’ve watched every Final. It has a special place in my heart and it’s a competition that I always look forward to. From a supporter’s point of view I have seen my team go on and lift the trophy and that is something that I will never forget. As a player I have also been fortunate to win the Cup and that too is obviously a moment that will stay with me forever.
This evening’s game will be the 45th of the season. Forget the fatigue and playing two games in a week… this is a clear sign of progress isn’t it?
I do think so. We have played a lot of games and considering the amount on injuries we have experienced along the way it’s a fantastic achievement and credit should be given to all the lads that have come in or played out of position. It really has been a squad effort this year. I can’t speak highly enough in regards to the players and management because we find ourselves in a very positive position. We have come quite far in what has been a very short space of time. However, we have to be careful not to get too far ahead of ourselves because the danger is that people will expect this every season. But it has been another decent season and it’s been ongoing for us in a lot of ways – it’s been a fantastic adventure.
That adventure took another twist last week following what was a very memorable night in Ukraine…
Knocking Shakhtar Donetsk out of the Europa League is possibly the biggest result the Club has had in a long, long time. And to be honest, I don’t think we got the credit we deserved for beating them over two legs. I’ve played a lot of good teams in European competitions and they were without doubt one of the best that I have faced. Shakhtar are a team of wonderful footballers and a club that have invested an awful lot of money. Let’s not forget the fact that they also won the UEFA Cup last season as well. It was an amazing result for us and we thoroughly deserved it. It’s another one that will be remembered for a very long time.
Italian giants Juventus are up next in the last 16 and we go to the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday. This is the stuff of dreams isn’t it!?
Well I think it is one, it’s fair to say, that the fans have dreamt about and it will be a great night for all those that make the trip. It will be a momentous experience for the Club, players and fans wherever they watch the game and one that will be remembered for the rest of their lives. Juventus are a good side, we know that, but hopefully we can continue our journey in Europe by getting a result against them. We don’t fear any team and I do think we can keep going in this competition. Not many people would have backed us to get this far but we have – so let’s enjoy the experience.
Roy Hodgson described February as a month to remember, it was wasn’t it?
I think a month when you go unbeaten is always one to remember and also especially when you consider the amount of games we played within that period as well. We progressed in the FA Cup and Europa League and were unbeaten in the league. We couldn’t have done much more could we? You have to remember the good ones though, because in football there’s always a bad one just around the corner!
And the month ahead could prove even more memorable and rewarding…
It is all about taking one game at a time now and that starts with Tottenham today. We’ll do our best and try and give the fans the trip to Wembley that we all crave. Then we’ll move onto the next game and deal with that too. You have to be careful looking too far ahead because you can lose focus on the one in hand. But it is a great time for the Club and we have some great games following this one: Juve, Man U and Man City - games that we all want to be part of. It’s exciting time.
