Interview: Barrie McAuliffe. Please fully reference the source if quotes are used

Robbie Fowler came to Cardiff City in 2007 with a level of fame and star quality that had never been seen at Ninian Park, what with twenty-four-seven coverage and the hunger for constant news associated with modern era football. It seemed that before a ball had been kicked the majority of lenses were all trained on the football icon, while fans and media alike all hungrily speculated on how the striker would adapt to Championship football, counting the potential for goals or how many games would be played.

Unfortunately a serious of injuries followed some great goals for his new club, but now back in full training, we caught up with Robbie ahead of the match today to ask how he is feeling after a prolonged recovery period following his hip operation. Also on the table was the matter of discussing his appreciation for his Cardiff City team-mates during a difficult spell, while of course covering the fact that the sight of a ball anywhere near his feet in May will result in the 'FA Cup Final' words being printed both near and far.

City: We've been coming to the Vale to see the lads training all season Robbie, although you've had to spend the last few months in rehabilitation following injury. The annoyance of crutches aside, the operation that you had was a major one on an issue that you needed to get sorted out

Robbie: It was yes. It was unfortunate the way that I came to Cardiff and I'm as disappointed as anyone, as I wanted to be fired up, playing every game and scoring loads of goals. But I've said before, it's not the ideal world we live in. I'd passed my medical and everything was fine. I know that everyone was saying 'He's had a hip operation before', but in fact it was my right hip that was my issue previously where I had an operation. The medical at Cardiff found a problem in my left hip as I was training and in pain playing games.

I'm not kidding myself in that I'm making any excuses as to why I've not set the world alight, but it has been giving me problems and hopefully now that I've got it sorted, touch wood, following the operation and recovery I've trained a few days and seem to be moving alright. I won't really know though until I get back into things fully - and that's by being involved in competitive games which is a different thing altogether.

City: The local papers are throwing some buzz words around on your potential involvement in May now that the FA Cup Final is approaching, but I would assume that your priority has to be the bigger picture and getting a full pre-season under your belt

Robbie: Ideally to be able to figure in a cup final I'd like to play five or six games before that, but when I had the operation in early January, my actual aim was to try and get into contention for the play-offs, as the FA Cup was miles from the thoughts of anyone. We've reached the final now and unfortunately not made our way into the play-offs, so my short term aim is to continue to work hard in training and to see what happens from there. Hopefully everything will be ok.

City: In a similar way to the semi final things are starting to gather momentum now as May 17th approaches

Robbie: Well with the FA Cup Final coming around soon, obviously it's a massive thing for the club to be involved in. Unfortunately we've not got much to play for in the league today, except for a little bit of pride if you like. But after the match this afternoon perhaps the FA Cup and all that comes with it can take a prominent place, being something that everyone can enjoy at the end of the season.When plans are being made and you have things happening like the tailors coming to fit the suits and club functions it really does start to hit home for a few of the players. They start to realise that they have the chance to be a part of something very special.

City: And for a lot of our younger players, people like yourself aren't exactly the worst to have around, what with your experience of the big stage

Robbie: Well if you'd seen me in my white suite close up you'd probably rephrase the question! No, well I've done it once or twice before, so can be on hand if any of the lads need me. But the lads all deserve credit for getting us this far in the competition. It's a massive achievement for this club to get anywhere near a cup final and first and foremost it's a wonderful chance for the players of this club to go down in the history books in Cardiff - and that's what we'll be aiming to do. We won't make it easy for Portsmouth that's for sure.

City: Ironically the game today is against Barnsley, the team we knocked out in the semi-final. While the Championship and points available is the priority today, they'll certainly not mind sending us to Wembley in a bad mood

Robbie: Yeah I think so. We played them in the semi-final and it was a really tight game. To be honest Barnsley probably had more than their fair share of football, but we all know in football its goals that count. Thankfully we got the one goal we needed, earning the right to go to the final in a few weeks.

City: You were there at Wembley on the periphery alongside Dave and the coaching staff, but everyone associated with the club was in such a great mood after the final whistle

Robbie: Of course, it's a wonderful thing that's happened for Cardiff City to reach the final, something to celebrate. The togetherness in this club is fantastic. Everyone loves being here and I'm no different. Unfortunately I've not played so many games as I would have liked, but I've always been made to feel a part of things here and that's down to the setup we have with the coaches and players. Every one of the players have made me feel as involved in the success as they are, so I can only thank all of them for that as they have been great with me.

City: There's a great group of players here and everyone really looks after one another also, in good times and bad

Robbie: I think so and I think that it's something that is very unusual in this day and age, the togetherness that we have here is fantastic. You do get some clubs that go on days out and that, but I couldn't say one negative word about any of the lads here. I think that if you went around the whole squad then everyone would pretty much be of a similar feeling. They're a fantastic and great bunch of lads, and unfortunately we've not done as well in the league as we would have liked, but if we can go one step further in the FA Cup this year they wouldn't mind as much.

City: I guess the mood and camaraderie in the camp can be summed up the other week, with Kevin McNaughton jumping around at the recording studios in a Danger Mouse suit, while you added the role of a one time only stint dressed up as Bartley Blue to your CV

Robbie: Admittedly I was only in there for a second as it was s bit too warm for me! How those chaps manage to walk around like that for ninety minutes is beyond me, but Kev, for functions like that he really comes alive. He's a quiet lad and keeps himself to himself at times, but situations like the other day bring the best out of him and he really comes out of his shell. I'm obviously not praising him (laughs), but if it wasn't him turning up as Danger Mouse or something like that, we know that someone else would be. That's the spirit we have and that's the way the team is. Long may that continue.

City: And as another important factor, how is your family after your first year in South Wales?

We're great thanks. I bought a house as soon as I signed for Cardiff and we all love it here. The people around us are great and the kids are very happy and settled in school. You go back to the downside in that I've not played as many games as I would have liked, and that's football sometimes. But overall life in Cardiff is great and the family are very happy.

City: You mentioned the FA Cup as an achievement and a bonus for Cardiff City, but in terms of priorities, like Jimmy Floyd you came to the club to try and push for promotion.

Robbie: Yeah, ideally that would have been great, and in the ideal world getting promotion to the Premier League would have been fantastic. But the FA Cup is a fantastic 'second' for us if you will. Nobody gave us even a small chance of reaching or getting anywhere near the final. We've got there on merit and we've not been lucky in any game. We'll just see what happens.

City: The match at Ninian Park this afternoon is the final game of the season. Everyone will be hoping for a good send-off from the home support, both in terms of the championship and the match in a few short weeks

Robbie: We'll be hoping for a good turnout and some noise today as it's a massive boost to the squad. For the most part the support this season has been great. There have been times when we have struggled and some elements have been a little disgruntled - which is fine as they pay their money and have a right to have an opinion. But we've had that good run in the league and came back into contention, while the FA Cup run has also been a massive boost for the supporters. The fans since then have been brilliant and I know how much the players appreciate it. I said it when I first came here, when I played here with Leeds United the Cardiff fans were unbelievable and they definitely do help the team. And at times this year, when they've really got behind the players they really have lifted the players game. It can only be helpful to the club and I hope that they can continue to be an important part of getting results.

City: And to progress we'll need to say goodbye to Ninian Park of which next year is our last here

Robbie: Obviously it'll be good for as many people as possible to celebrate the stadium in its final year. At the end of the day nobody is kidding anyone as Cardiff do need a new stadium. But Ninian Park holds so many special memories for so many people, so that should be respected. As far as progress is concerned, in the short space of time that I've been here the changes have been phenomenal, which by moving to better and bigger facilities can only improve further. Hopefully the club can make the move over the road to the new place, but maintain the traditions well into the future.

City: Finally, when looking at the big picture, the progress made at Cardiff City has been impressive, which is testament to the work being done behind the scenes by the likes of Peter and Dave

Robbie: Not so many people seem to notice that much, but all of a sudden Cardiff City on a day to day basis are training in quality facilities now. There have been such massive steps taken, as when I first came here I knew that only a few years ago the lads were training in local parks. And now, to be on the periphery of the Premier League and to be in the top end of the Championship you have to have better than that. The manager and chairman are building a good team of people here, the staff around the players are top notch and that then allows you to look further afield into good training facilities and the stadium, which they have done. In the future years I really do think that the future will be very clear for Cardiff City.