Adam Wharton insists Crystal Palace can “absolutely” win the FA Cup this season.
The Eagles will be bidding to reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since being semi-finalists in the 2021/22 campaign when they welcome London rivals Millwall to Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Palace are one of the last 16 teams remaining in the FA Cup this term after knocking out Stockport County and Doncaster Rovers in the last two rounds.
They have twice reached the final of the competition, missing out on the trophy thanks to defeats to Manchester United on both occasions — firstly in the 1989/90 season, and again in 2015/16.
Palace last faced Millwall in the same competition in January 2022, winning the third-round match 2-1 at The Den courtesy of goals by Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta.
“We’ve got to win,” said midfielder Wharton ahead of facing the Lions again on Saturday. “We’ve got to win and get to the next round of the FA Cup.
“The fans, it’s a massive game for them. When the atmosphere is good, it’s always nice to play in those games. It was top [against Aston Villa] — probably the best it’s been this season.”
When asked what Palace still have to play for this season, Wharton replied: “There’s obviously still a lot of games to play. We didn’t have the best start to the season, but we’ve picked up the form now.
“I don’t think there’s a specific aim. We’re just trying to take each game as it comes and get as high in the table as possible.
“Hopefully in the FA Cup, we can get through to the later stages and hopefully be close or have a chance at winning a trophy.”
Asked if Palace can win the FA Cup for the first time in their history, he said: “Absolutely.”
