Planet Swans ArchivesThe Swansea City manager takes his side to Fratton Park tomorrow looking to progress to the 5th round for only the second time since 1980.
The cup holders stand in the way of the Swans and that progress but Roberto is determined to enjoy the occasion as he, his squad and over 3,000 travelling Jacks head towards the South Coast.
And it is clear that Roberto is keen to make this a taste of things to come as he told the Evening Post “If we want to progress as a football club, the league has to be our priority
“To me it’s like going to a five-star hotel for a night or buying a mansion.
“If you are successful in the league, you are buying yourself a mansion. If you have a good cup run, that’s just like staying for one night in the nice hotel.
“That’s why the Championship is my priority — but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to do well in the FA Cup.
“We are through to the fourth round, we are going into a Premier League environment to face the holders and we have the full backing of our fans.
“We recognise all that and we are taking this game very seriously.
“They have some world-class players, and they have a footballing legend as their manager.
Tony Adams’s career, with England and Arsenal, was unique and he has his own ideas which are showing in his team.
“We have to be very wary because Portsmouth are a very good side, but we still hope to find a way of being ourselves.
“It’s a glamorous tie for us and, if we can go and be competitive, a lot of positives will come out of it whatever the result.
“We recognise all that and we are taking this game very seriously.
“The following doesn’t surprise me at all.
“Our fans have been fantastic this season.
“They have been one of our biggest strengths — and we hope to give them something back tomorrow if we can.”
