Coventry City news and views from CoventryLive as we look at what Mark Robins said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Sky Blues’ FA Cup third round clash against Oxford United.
Mark Robins has been told by club owner Doug King that he wants an FA Cup run as Coventry City prepare to take on promotion chasing Oxford United in the third round.
The Sky Blues suffered an embarrassing exit at the same stage of the competition last season when Hollywood-funded non-league Wrexham knocked them out in a 4-3 defeat at the CBS Arena, after which the manager expressed some regret about his team selection when he initially rested star players Gus Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres on the bench. They managed to get to the fourth round the season before but also went out in the third round in 2020/21.
The problem most managers have with the competition these days is finding the right balance between resting players, with half an eye on the league, and picking a strong enough side to get the job done. Oxford boss Des Buckingham has made no secret of the fact that while he wants to compete and get through the tie, his priority remains in the league where they are currently fifth and looking to push for promotion. So the reality is, Robins could also be facing a weakened opposition.
Asked if last year’s early exit to lower opposition will be in his mind when he makes his team selection for Saturday’s 12.30 kick-off, the manager insisted it wouldn’t. “If I go back to that time, the regret is the fact that I didn’t have a squad that could handle that game. The timing of it was difficult on the back of all the games coming out of that busy Christmas period when you have to assess the players and how things are likely to work out. Some of it is a little bit of guesswork and some of it is experience and some of that instinct in picking a team you want to try and win the game.
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