Flores feels weight of history

WATFORD, Wembley and the FA Cup cannot fail to conjure memories of 1984, Everton and Sir Elton John in tears. Quique Sanchez Flores has made sure nothing has been lost on his multinational squad. ‘I would love to go to Wembley,’ said Flores. ‘I’ve never been there. I’ve only seen it on TV. It’s always a party for the fans. ‘I remember the final in 1984. In Spain, three or four weeks ago, there was a programme about this match. I saw the goals, I saw the fans and the team, wearing yellow and red. The players have to win one more match to go to something very special in the history of the club. ‘But at the moment we don’t have the opportunity. If we are to talk about the Cup, we need to talk about the quarter-final.’ Watford have a last eight clash at either Arsenal or Hull after beating Leeds 1-0, thanks to an own goal by Scott Wootton. They are yet to concede in the competition. ‘I don’t care who you are around the world, you know what Wembley means,’ said captain Troy Deeney. ‘Everyone wants to play there. The gaffer has done a great job putting across, to the overseas lads in particular, that these games really matter, not like the domestic cups on the continent which are seen as a bit of a nuisance sometimes.’ Goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon is driven by the disappointment of 2013, when he played in every round for Manchester City only to be axed for the final. Joe Hart was brought in, but City lost to Wigan, the winning goal scored by Ben Watson, now a team-mate at Watford. ‘I was of course a little bit upset,’ said Pantilimon. ‘But you can’t stay upset all your life. I’m sure I will have another chance to take this trophy. I’ve won nearly everything in England but don’t have an FA Cup on my c.v.’