James respects Baggies

Out of all the players who take to the pitch at Wembley on Saturday, there won’t be anyone who can speak with as much FA Cup experience as David James.

The Portsmouth and England goalkeeper is hoping that he can add a third FA Cup Final appearance to his CV by helping the Premiership team to victory over West Bromwich Albion but he is under no illusions as to the task which faces them.

As the only top flight club left in the competition, it seems Pompey have been listed as everybody’s favourites to lift The FA Cup this year but James knows that it is going to be a hard match for them against a team who could still be playing in the Premiership themselves next season.

Tony Mowbray’s team have been involved in the Championship promotion race all season long and look as though they could be contesting in the play-offs, so with bags of confidence, experience and quality in their squad, James knows that Pompey have to be on their game and can take nothing for granted.

"Without doubt, it will be a hard game for us," the 37-year-old told TheFA.com.

"West Brom are definitely one of the better teams in the Championship and the way they despatched of Bristol Rovers in the Sixth Round was testament to that.

"It obviously won’t be an easy game and we know that. It’s a Semi-Final, and for anybody that can be an uplifting occasion or a nervous occasion, because there are so many different parameters involved.

"It should make for a good game though and respect will have to be given to West Brom all the way through.

"I think we only need to look back at the games we’ve had in previous rounds against Ipswich Town, Plymouth Argyle and of course, Preston. They were three hard games and the fact that it’s a Semi-Final now will bring its own individual influences.

"For the lower league teams to play Premiership sides is something that we can’t take for granted and given the three games we’ve had against Championship sides, we know it will be difficult.

"The lads are well versed in what to expect and West Brom are one of the best teams from their division, so we will have to be more than ready for the test."