Using setbacks to spur him on has been a feature of Adrian Mariappa's career.
And, after suffering two previously at the FA Cup semi-final stage, the Watford defender hopes it will be third time lucky against Wolves .
In 2007, aged just 20 and in his first Watford spell, Mariappa was unfortunate to come up against a Wayne Rooney-inspired Manchester United side and end up on the wrong side of a 4-1 scoreline
Nine years later Alan Pardew brought the bad news when he cruelly left Mariappa out of a Crystal Palace matchday squad against his hometown club Watford.
Typically, Mariappa, 32, used both experiences, painful as they were, as valuable lessons.
And that should be little surprise given how he has defiantly proved wrong the doubts in his younger days over his height and pace to establish himself as a Premier League and international defender.
“I remember it very well,” Mariappa said of the Villa Park semi against United, who also had his current Watford centre-back partner Craig Cathcart on the bench.
“It feels like only yesterday. Early on Rooney cut inside me and banged one in the top corner so it wasn't a great start.
“Although it was a great experience it was a very, very tough day, so I can draw on those experiences to help me focus through the game, keep my nerve.”
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Mariappa came off the bench in Palace's extra-time 2016 final defeat against United but will never forget the “heartbreaking” moment just before kick-off when he discovered he wouldn't be involved in the semi.
“It's something I still think about now,” he admitted. “I learned a lot about myself through that experience so I'm thankful for all the good and bad experiences I've had.
“I really had to keep my head and professionalism on the day. They're things I tried to show all my career and I'm thankful I did because I'd never want to have a negative impact on the rest of the boys.”
Watford's campaign so far is a good omen that things will be different this time around for Mariappa. There has been no repeat of their “tapering off” of recent seasons.
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Instead, impressive Watford have already set a new club record Premier League points tally. Now a first FA Cup final since 1984 against Manchester City is tantalisingly close.
“Progression is a key word for us and everyone is striving for that at this club,” said Mariappa, who believes boss Javi Gracia's infectious work ethic and competition for places have kept Watford's standards high.
“The boys here are fully focused on trying to get the club to a final this year.”
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Mariappa has fond memories of seeing Watford triumph at Wembley as a fan in the 1999 play-off final against Bolton.
And he added: “I went up there with my brother and my mum. A great, great day. I still remember all the celebrations after.
"I've still got a lot of the memorabilia as well – scarves, t-shirts. Hopefully I can repeat some of those memories myself.”
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Adrian Mariappa was speaking at an event to celebrate the release of the Xbox Sport Red Special Edition controller. Xbox and Fresh Ego Kid have come together to create the ultimate urban style and gaming kit for UK fans. This represents the beginning of a journey between the two brands, combining Fresh Ego Kid’s established position in the UK style and urban scene with the very best of gaming on Xbox.
