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Full record of Cup meetings between Spurs and Coventry:-
SEASON RD H/A RES Scorer(s)
FA Cup
1980-81 5 H 3-1 Ardiles, Hughton, Archibald
1986-87 F W 2-3 Allen (C), Mabbutt
2001-02 3 A 2-0 Poyet, Ferdinand
Football League Cup
1970-71 5 H 4-1 Chivers (3), Gilzean
1977-78 3 H 2-3 Armstrong, Pratt
1991-92 4 A 2-1 Allen (P), Durie
1995-96 3 A 2-3 Armstrong, Busst (og)
2003-04 2 A 3-0 Ricketts, Keane, Kanoute
Coventry coming for a "knees-up"
A full quota of 4,500 Coventry fans will make their way to White Hart Lane, and whatever the result, they'll be having a good sing-song and a "knees-up", mostly at the expense of Spurs legdn Gary Mabbutt, who will probably be in the ground and will have to shrug of the banter with a smile.
In fairness, there will be no rancour directed at Mabbsy, but the visiting fans will glory in the finest day in their club's history, when they became the first ever team to beat Spurs in an FA Cup Final on 16th May, 1987. It seems hard to believe that it is nearly 26 years now since that day, made famous around Coventry by the naming of a fanzine "Gary Mabbutt's Knee". Mabbutt had the mis-fortune to score at both ends that day, with his own goal proving to be the extra-time winner. Coventry will even be wearing the same replica kit as they wore on the fateful day.
That Cup Final yields no happy memories for Spurs fans, whose team were hot favourites to win their eighth FA Cup trophy, only to be deprived by one of their own. Four years later of course, we rejoiced at the own goal by Des Walker when we beat Nottingham Forest. It is also hard to believe that it will be 22 years this year since Spurs last graced an FA Cup Final. On their current form, AVB's men have as much chance as any of their predecessors of making it all the way to Wembley.
We have been to four Cup Finals since then of course, three of which were at Wembley, both old and new. In 1999, we beat Leicester in the Worthington Cup. In 2002, we lost to Blackburn. We famously beat Chelsea in February 2008, but lost on penalties to Manchester United in March 2009.
Coventry were fellow founders of the Premier League in 1992 and until their relegation in 2001, they had been on a 34 year run in the top flight of English football, giving them an even longer top flight run than Spurs, who suffered one season in Division Two in 1977-78.
It's nearly 10 years since we last met Coventry, at their old stadium Highfield Road. We have yet to play in the Ricoh Stadium, opened in 2005. In September, 2003, we played the "Sky Blues" in the second round of the Carling Cup, with David Pleat again in charage of a Spurs team, as he had been on that fateful day in 1987. Glenn Hoddle had been sacked after a sad 3-1 home defeat by his previous club Southampton. Chris Hughton featured as Mr. Pleat's assistant. Hughton had scored his one and only FA Cup goal for Spurs against Coventry in our 3-1 win in 1981, which of course was a good year for Spurs.
In 2003, Spurs ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, with goals by Rohan Rickets, Robbie Keane, and Fredi Kanoute. Coventry was one of Keane's old teams, having been signed by them fro his first club Wolves, spending just one season at Highfield Road, before being snapped up by Leeds. Ricketts had a lot of support from David Pleat in the 2003-04 season, and actually spent some time at Coventry in the following season before ultimately being sold to Wolves. Ricketts' career took a gradual downturn, and last season he turned up at Shamrock Rovers, who we met in the Europa League. Rohan can be followed on Twitter (@RohanRicketts).
The last time we met Coventry in the FA Cup was also away, in the Third Round on Wednesday 16th January, 2002. The game had been postponed due to bad weather. Spurs cruised through with goals by Gus Poyet and Les Ferdinand.
Last year, after 11 consecutive seasons in The Championship, Coventry were relegated to the third tier of English football for the first time since 1964. They made a poor start to this season too, with former Wimbledon player Andy Thorn in charge. Coventry did not manage a win in their first 8 league games, after which Mark Robins was appointed as manager. It took Robins a little while to improve the situation, but having been as low as 21st in League One as recently as November, Robins has now taken the up the table to 9th place. Coventry are a form side at this time, and in the promotion race.
Coventry had been unbeaten in 10 games until they lost 1-0 at home to Shrewsbury on New Year's Day. The club does face some uncertainty regarding its future, due to rent arrears over £1 million regarding their stadium. I saw reference recently to a possibility of Coventry playing at Rushden & Diamonds Stadium.
Despite their relatively lowly status, Coventry's recent form has to be respected. Their chief goalscorer has been 25 year old David McGoldrick, on loan from Nottingham Forest. He has a total of 17 goals to his name in all competitions this season. Carl Baker has also been in good scoring form recently with 7 goals in his last 11 games. I understand that McGoldrick's loan spell came to an end this week, so he will be missed.
Coventry were eliminated from this season's league cup by Arsenal, losing 6-1. They have reached this stage of the FA Cup by beating non league Arlesey, and League Two Morecambe.
Spurs will be a very short odds on bet to win this game, but it will be a bit of a guessing game to say who will be in our team. My guess is that Friedel is going to start this one, and that if Benoit Assou-Ekotto does return, then Kyle Naughton might give Walker a well-needed break on the right. Michael Dawson is likely to skipper the side, with Caulker by his side. Maybe Scott Parker will start his first game of the season. Gareth Bale will be available once again, after suspension, but will AVB start with his big guns or leave them on the bench? We'll see tomorrow!
Spurs should of course have plenty in the locker to seal a good win. I'll go for a 4-1 result.
· 10 years ago, on January 4th, was not a good day for Spurs
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