Watford must approach FA Cup semi-final without fear, insists Quique Sanchez Flores
Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores has urged his side to approach Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace without fear.
The Hornets have never won a major trophy and underperformed the last time they played at Wembley during the Championship play-off final in 2013.
Palace were their opponents on that day too and Kevin Philips' late penalty consigned Watford to another season in the second tier of English football.
Flores, whose side knocked out holders Arsenal en route to the last four, is adamant Watford cannot afford to be fearful in front of 90,000 fans.
"The feelings we have in this competition are really good, but we need to take care of the little details, take good decisions and try to be calm, because it's not a moment to have fear," he told the club's official website.
"We need to be completely responsible because we are defending Watford, 30,000 fans will go there, and we have an amazing responsibility, because we would like to be in the final."
Watford have already played Palace twice this season and Flores, who has dismissed claims he could be replaced at the end of the season, is wary of the threat Alan Pardew's side pose.
"This kind of match is difficult because we know each other perfectly. We played two times against Crystal Palace, we have both won one game each.
"What we've learned is that Crystal Palace have an amazing team. They have a very good manager, and their players have done very well.
"They mix an English style with very good players and forwards, and they are a very dangerous team so we need to try to plan in the best way that is possible," Flores insisted.
Just two points separate the two sides in the Premier League table and midfielder Adlene Guedioura is relishing a third battle with the south Londoners.
“It will be a tough game, they have really good players, they know this kind of game," said the Algerian.
"It’s almost like a final because we lost the first game and they won the second in the league, so we will be expecting a high tempo game.
“When you know the story about Palace and Watford, reaching the play-off final three years ago, you know it’s special for the fans.
"For me it will be special too, and why not go there and get a win?"