BRAD FRIEDEL knows what the cup final tomorrow means - because the fans have been telling him!

The 30-year-old former Liverpool goalkeeper has spoken to dozens of fans over the past few weeks and he says the interest and passion from the supporters has been increasing every day.

"I have seen lots of fans over the past few weeks and as the days go by people want to talk about the final more and more," said the 6ft 3in American.

"There have been more and more mentions over the past two weeks and it is obvious how the fans feel about it.

"And that motivates us because every fan wants to talk about their team, every fan wants to be able to boast about their team.

"We want to win the Cup so the fans can boast about us."

Friedel, who grew up in Lakewood in the States but played for Galatasaray and Liverpool before signing for Rovers in November 2000, says he is not underestimating the importance of the Worthington Cup.

He knows the significance of Rovers' first major cup final for 42 years.

"I have lived in Europe since 1992 and here for nearly five years and I fully understand what this cup means to players and fans," he said.

And he says Rovers' form, 10 defeats in 12 Premiership games, will become insignificant once the first ball is kicked tomorrow.

"We are very confident. We have no problem regarding our form in recent weeks at all.

"Because we haven't been playing poorly, there have just been small things here and there that have cost us.

"This is our chance to take our minds off the league and I think it might be a good thing. I don't think the form really matters that much.

A cup final is a one-off, a great experience and we'll enjoy it - and hopefully win it."

Friedel never won a trophy at Liverpool so a Worthington Cup winners medal would be all the more special.

He left Liverpool on a free transfer but says he has nothing to prove to them or himself.

"I have never really felt that on leaving Liverpool I had to prove anything to myself.

"I have always had confidence in my own ability and I know that when things don't go right you move on.

"I have enjoyed my time at Rovers."

And he says this cup final could represent the pinnacle of his career.

"Playing in cup finals and winning things means everything. I am a professional footballer and that is what we are here to do.

"At the beginning of the season we were in three competitions, the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Worthington Cup. We are still in two of them and now we are in the final of the Worthington Cup.

"You try to do your best in every game and it is one of our goals to finish the job we started at the start of the season tomorrow.

"We have some tremendous players, so do Tottenham, and we'll have to be at our best to beat them."