We talked with leading fans from three of this weekend's four FA Cup semi-finalists about their chances of reaching the final, their clubs' Cup histories and what they really think about the matches being played at Wembley.

What is the mood amongst the fans leading up to this weekend's big match?

Kevin Ryan, Portsmouth Supporters' Club secretary

The mood is one of excitement. Those with tickets are jumping up and down with joy waiting for the big day. We feel we can go into the semi-finals with confidence. We should win as the only Premier League team left in the competition.

Alan Bloore, Barnsley Supporters' Trust chairman

People are busy getting ready and planning the weekend. We're living the dream: no one expected Barnsley Football Club to get into the FA Cup semi-finals.

Alan Cleverley, West Bromwich Albion Supporters' Club secretary

We're very, very optimistic. We believe we're going to do it. Some fans are pessimistic, there will always be pessimistic football fans, but me and my mates are optimistic that we're going to do the double: win the FA Cup and achieve promotion.

What are your chances of lifting the Cup from here?

Pompey

Even going to Manchester United, we thought we had a chance. If in the last 16 we got the worst draw - if we could win that then surely our name was on the Cup? We were honestly lucky to get through in the third round against Plymouth 2-1 at Fratton Park - since then we have got through but not been very impressive, apart from the Man Utd game, that is.

Barnsley

I imagine all four clubs are looking at the semi-final and thinking: we can win this! Cardiff are in our own division and we are capable of beating them, and we beat West Brom this season. Once we'd beaten Chelsea we started to seriously consider our chances of winning it. The feeling has built up all the time. [Would you have taken relegation and a final appearance at the start of the season?] Yeah. Without a doubt. As someone who has supported the club for 45 years, seen them down in the old fourth division, seen them go nearly bankrupt three times to play in an FA Cup final is a dream. If we go down we can come back up, but clubs like Barnsley just don't get to Cup finals.

West Brom

The day before we left for Charlton in the third round I was talking to the ticket lady. Before the play-off final they'd been working all hours and I told her: you won't be doing that again for the play-offs - but you'll be doing it for the FA Cup final! Then in the third round we were the first club to go behind after 50 seconds at The Valley! But here we are. [Would you have gone for promotion this season or a final appearance?] That is a very, very difficult question. At the start of the season I would have gone for promotion: the money would stabilise the club financially. But at the Wembley press day, on the edge of the pitch, seeing that Cup in its glass case: I wouldn't have gone for promotion then! To go to Wembley will be great for the glory - but if you twisted my arm, I'd have to say promotion.

What have you got planned for the big day?

Pompey

We're leaving at five o'clock in the morning. We've got 10 coaches and aim to get there as early as possible - it'll take about two hours, maybe three. We want to enjoy the day because the last time we got to a final was in 1939, when we won it against Wolves.

Barnsley

We don't run buses in opposition to the club. We'll be heading to the Green Man pub in Wembley, which is run by a man called Malcolm Preedy - we were founded by a Reverend named Tiverton Preedy, so what could be better than that? Being a cheapskate Yorkshireman, if I could get 25 quid seats in the best position I would have been happy, and I could've waved to Your Majesty and it wouldn't be bad. But the Missus is going and my mother-in-law, so we're sitting in the 55-pound ones.

West Brom

We're taking about 100 coaches in conjunction with the club. We want to get there nice and early and soak up the atmosphere. I'll be on the last coach, so hopefully none of them will break down and I'll get there a good couple of hours before [a lunchtime] kick-off!

What do you rate as the club's most treasured Cup memory?

The moment I treasure most is beating Man Utd in the last round. I've spoken to a few people who were there in 1939 when we won 4-1, but football was different then. To beat Man Utd at Old Trafford was something special.

Barnsley

We've got a proud tradition in the FA Cup. Every Barnsley fan knows that we won the FA Cup in 1912, and we got to the final in 1910. That period between 1910 and 1921 evokes memories: if it hadn't been for the war, our destiny could have been very different. West Brom and Barnsley are two of the only clubs to have played as lower league clubs in the Cup final, so we've both got a record to uphold.

West Brom

We have a unique record: winning promotion and the Cup in 1931. And beating Birmingham in the Cup final helped! 1954 was close to that: we won the Cup and were runners-up in the old first division. We've won it fives times in our history, not many clubs have done that. In '68 Everton were favourites and we won, but if we do the double this season, it would top that.

How do you feel about the semis being played at Wembley - and has your opinion changed?

Pompey

My opinion has definitely changed. I've got to tell the truth: the semis being played at Wembley devalues the final. But since we got there, I've seen how there are more tickets and thought: let's go with it! Everyone is just looking forward to the big day!

Barnsley

I've been involved with [fans groups at] Wembley since 1996. When it was first mooted we said NO - it was our policy not to play them there. But after I came out of Oakwell after beating Chelsea with my two nephews and people crying I thought: 'We're going to Wembley!' How can I turn to these people and say we're going to Villa Park and the chances of you going to watch the semi-final are zero? A lot of people's views will change once they've seen this weekend.

West Brom

It's not right that the semi-finals are at Wembley. It used to be unique to the final. I understand that the managers are going to lead out the teams, which should also be unique to the final, but there won't be a national anthem at least. West Brom should be playing Portsmouth at The Emirates and Barnsley and Cardiff should be playing at Old Trafford.

A representative of the Cardiff City Supporters' Club could not be reached.

Enjoy LIVE text coverage of the semi-finals from Wembley this weekend with Cardiff against Portsmouth on Saturday and Barnsley versus Cardiff on Sunday!!

Eurosport