Coventry City‘s FA Cup semi-final defeat last season is “still raw”, according to former Sky Blues manager Mark Robins.
City came close to an historic FA Cup final having been seconds from a giant-killing over eventual winners Manchester United. The Midlands side had been 3-0 down but recovered to 3-3 before having a goal from Viktor Torp controversially ruled out for offside, only to lose 4-2 on penalties.
Robins was then controversially dismissed from his role at the CBS Arena in November 2024 before taking his current job at Coventry’s Championship rivals Stoke City.
Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Robins said, “Last season was brilliant, a great experience to a point and it still feels a bit raw the way we bowed out of the competition, but in terms of the run it was incredible.
“I won the cup a long time ago but of all the players here there are very few of them that were alive when we won it at Manchester United in 1990 – it makes you feel old.”
The 55-year-old is still in the competition this season with the Potters and, despite a relegation battle in the league, will give everything for cup success.
“Cup competitions in England are really big, so everyone still wants to get to Wembley and it’s a real honour when you do that – so the game is important for a number of reasons.”
Stoke host Cardiff City in the fourth round and will fancy their chances against the fellow Championship strugglers, with the game also potentially offering an opportunity to compare the two sides ahead of a difficult last few months in the league as both sides fight relegation.
Writer’s View
Ask any Coventry fan about last season’s cup run and they’ll likely have a similar reaction. The Sky Blues were literally a toe away from the FA Cup final having had an unbelievable comeback. It’s going to sting for a while, such was the shock of their run to Wembley. Both Coventry and Robins will be hoping to put it behind them and improve, though few would have expected this at different clubs.
