Mowbray relishing Wembley semi

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The Football Association have been criticised for staging the two ties at the stadium, something they have not done since 1994 when Chelsea played Luton and Manchester United met Oldham.

But Mowbray believes staging the contest with Portsmouth at the home of English football will enhance the spectacle and said: "The fact that it is at Wembley makes it a great occasion."

He added: "Some have said that holding the semi-finals at Wembley devalues the competition and the experience of playing at the stadium in the final, but I am delighted that it is at Wembley because some players might never get the chance to play there again. I hope we do, of course.

"It took me my whole football career to play on the hallowed turf at Wembley. I was fortunate enough to not only play there, but score as well and be on the winning side.

"Some players can go their whole career and not play at Wembley, so it is great for the players."

Mowbray added: "But I think an FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford or the Emirates Stadium or somewhere like that would have been an equally great occasion.

"Then again, the extra intensity of playing at Wembley in the final could have been overwhelming for the two teams that make it.

"Playing the semi-finals at Wembley will probably help with the occasion on final day and hopefully make it a better game if the two finalists have already played there, as they won't be so overawed."