Alan Pardew wants one of his Crystal Palace players to recreate his heroics from the 1990 FA Cup semi-final win over Liverpool and write their names into history.

An extra-time winner from the-then midfielder wrote Pardew's name into Palace folklore 26 years ago, and the current crop of players have a similar chance this weekend against Watford.

Neither Palace or Watford have gone on to lift the famous English cup, but Pardew hopes they can go onto achieve an "extra special season".

“Winning major trophies is of course what every manager wants to do and it’s very difficult unless you’re at the top clubs to get a chance,” said Pardew.

“To be in a cup final or to even win the cup would make it an extra special season and that’s what we want to achieve.

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“This is their final not mine and it’s their chance to become, what I was briefly, a hero and I would love one of them to be in that position.”

Their two Premier League encounters have been closely fought this season meaning penalties could well be on the cards to decide who will face either Everton or Manchester United in the final.

Although nigh on impossible to recreate that atmosphere, Pardew admits they have been practicing perfecting their spot-kick skills.

“You just want to have a skill that you're confident with when the pressure is on and you’re walking up to that penalty spot from the halfway line.

“You can’t recreate that pressure situation, but if you’re confident in your skill factor then you will feel confident you can find a corner.”

After James McArthur returned to the side this week, the Palace manager has close to a full squad to pick from with the exception of Marouane Chamakh, Brede Hangeland and Paddy McCarthy.

Surrey Comet: