City Earn Their Crack At Spurs

Coventry City take on Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup this weekend and, despite the frustration of their New Year’s Day defeat by Shrewsbury, will travel to White Hart Lane in good spirits and confident of creating a good impression.

That is in stark contrast to their first trip to North London this season when, in Mark Robins’ second game in charge, they faced Arsenal on a hiding to nothing after a dreadful start to life in League One.

Robins has stamped his mark on his new team and will expect, if not a positive result, them to ask their own questions of the Tottenham defence rather than the damage limitation of the game at the Emirates Stadium.

The City boss has shown respect to the competition in the opening two rounds and that has been rewarded with professional wins over Arlesey and Morecambe leading to a financial windfall from the Round 3 draw.

Spurs fielded strong sides in their two League Cup matches earlier in the season and, although a couple of players may be rested, will do so again.

That means a great test for the Sky Blues and one they hope will fill them with confidence for their own Wembley quest a few days later when Preston are the visitors in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Speaking after the Shrewsbury game, Robins said: “It’s a game where we can get this one out of our system and we can go and enjoy that experience and see how we do.”