Albion captain Jonathan Greening today backed the Baggies to overturn the odds and reach their first FA Cup final in 40 years.
A 33,000-strong Albion army was up at the crack of dawn this morning to head to Wembley for the club’s first FA Cup semi-final in 26 years.
And, while Portsmouth will be bookies’ favourites, Greening detects a growing mood of optimism that he can be the first skipper for four decades to lead the club out in an FA Cup Final.
“Portsmouth are a very good team and we’re under no illusions about that,” said Greening.
“Their position in the Premier League shows how strong they are but we are heading down to Wembley full of confidence.
“We are in the final on merit and we have played well to get here, and we hope to be a Premier League side ourselves next season.
“And we are the underdogs in everybody’s eyes for this game, which could work in our favour.
“Everybody expects Portsmouth to win this game so all of the pressure is on them.
“We can run out at Wembley with no expectation and no pressure on us. We can afford to be relaxed because no-one expects anything from us.”
Greening will lead the Baggies out at Wembley 26 years after they last reached the last four of the FA Cup.
This afternoon is their latest chance to return to the final of the world’s most famous domestic cup competition 40 years after they won the trophy for the fifth and so far last time.
In 1968 it was Graham Williams who lifted the trophy for Albion but striker Jeff Astle was the hero of the day with the extra-time winner that beat Everton 1-0.
Albion’s mission today is also to bury demons from last May, when their first visit to the new Wembley Stadium ended with a 1-0 defeat to Derby.
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