Article: Barrie McAuliffe. Photo: Wales News Service
On Wednesday our press and media open day at the Vale included considerably more faces than usual, as local and national broadcasters and journalists arrived en-masse to quiz our batch of FA Cup stars ahead of Sunday's Wembley showdown with Barnsley.
Naturally in demand, and therefore required to speak to most was Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, with our high profile striker now available for selection following his three game ban. And in undeniable Jimmy style, he handled every interview with a big smile and a touch of class.
"The boys are confident, everybody's confident - but we're all aware that it's going to be a hard game," he admitted.
"It's there for the taking, but that's what Barnsley will be saying too. We can't get carried away, we must approach it in the right way as it's going to be a very tough. With all due respect to Barnsley, if we play to our best and they play to their best, we will win. But then we all know that football doesn't work like that. They are a magnificent side and we have to give them the respect they deserve."
With Cardiff having it's share of youth and experience, along with the majority of the squad never having been in this kind of football situation before, Jimmy was happy to act in the role of mentor for our 'Wembley Virgins' if needed. But saying that, Jimmy was quick to point out that Joe, Aaron and our other emerging stars would by no means turn into rabbits in the headlights come kick-off on Sunday.
"I don't think they (the younger players) will freeze, they are too cool headed," he said. "Joe is an international and plays at the Millennium Stadium which holds 70,000 people. Well, obviously for Wales there are never really 70,000 there, but he's played against big teams there on big occasions and played well. So why can't he do that in the semi-final?
"Aaron, he is just very calm, he's got that something extra. He's the kind of guy who you don't have to say anything to; he will go into these kind of games with no fear. He'll just enjoy it."
Inevitably the questions turned towards whether Jimmy saw the FA Cup this year as his last chance for a high profile win; with the inference on if this would be his last season in the game.
He said, "In football you never know. I won't say yes but I wont say no because I didn't expect to be sitting here this year talking about the semi-finals. . . so I don't know. I would say yes, this is my last chance, but you never know.
"At the moment my only concern is the game on Sunday, followed by our final games this season. On Sunday I will be the same as I always am before a match. I'll be relaxed and I'll get on with my own rituals and not worry about things that can happen or can go wrong - I want to play freely.
"I'm quite quiet, not as vocal as I am on the pitch. Normally there's music on in the dressing room, Roger and Thommo will be cracking a few jokes, I will have a massage and do a few exercises, go out for warm-up and then we go back in and everyone will have their words and then we're pumped up. It's going to be a very exciting day."
