Mark Robins’ former team-mate, Chris Sutton, is backing the Coventry City manager to mastermind a shock result at Wembley by knocking Manchester United out of the FA Cup.
The Sky Blues have been off-colour in the Championship in recent matches but have shown that they can dig deep and put in a big performance against top sides, not least in their quarter-final win at Wolves. And old ‘romantic’ Sutton believes an upset could be on the cards on Sunday when Robins goes head-to-head with his former club in their semi-final showdown.
“Coventry are not in the greatest form in the Championship, with three defeats in their past four games, but I am a romantic at heart and I believe in fairy tales too,” said the BBC Five Live pundit.
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“It is written in the stars that Sky Blues boss Mark Robins wins this tie, against his former club. My old Norwich team-mate famously scored an FA Cup third-round winner for Manchester United in 1990 that saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job, but now I think he will push Erik ten Hag closer to the exit door.
“Some United fans get very angry on social media whenever I predict they will lose, like last week when I thought Bournemouth would beat them. But, while I did not get the result right on that occasion, another weak United performance in their 2-2 draw validated everything I said about them.
“United should be beating Coventry comfortably but they have lacked consistency all season and I don’t have faith in them to suddenly find it now. So, let me dream a little here. I’ve got great memories of the 1987 final, when Keith Houchen’s diving header helped Coventry upset Tottenham and lift the FA Cup, and what a day it would be for them if they win.”
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
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Sky Blues at Wembley - get your copy now!
Coventry City continue to make new history under the management of Mark Robins who has guided the club to their first FA Cup semi-final since winning the famous competition in 1987, in what is still regarded as the Sky Blues’ finest hour.
Having beaten Wolverhampton Wanderers some 37 years later in the quarter-finals, City now face the mighty Manchester United in the last four at Wembley on Sunday, April 21 – only the second time the club have ever reached that stage.
To celebrate and mark the achievement, the Coventry Telegraph has produced a bumper 40-page souvenir publication, packed with exclusive interviews with Mark Robins and his trusty assistant and head coach Adi Viveash, as well as a look back at the 1987 road to Wembley.
Hear how former Man United striker Robins feels about pitting his managerial wits against the club he still supports and has much affection for from his playing days, and how City’s esteemed coach Viveash helped plot Wolves’ downfall, and his fascinating take on how to beat top end Premier League opponents for a second time. He’ll be talking tactics, attention to detail, mind games and, of course, one of the biggest ingredients for success – belief!
