JUST IN: Stoke manager Robins says Coventry’s semi-final loss is “still raw.”
Mark Robins, the manager of Stoke City,
says losing in the FA Cup semi-final last season while leading Coventry City “still feels raw.”
The Sky Blues rallied from a 3-0 deficit to defeat Manchester United on penalties in a thrilling match at Wembley.
“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,” Robins said on BBC Radio Stoke.
“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 Potters host Cardiff, a team from the Championship, in the fourth round of this season’s FA Cup,
and Robins is eager for his new team to give it their all in an attempt to advance.
“Cup competitions in England are really big,
so everyone still wants to get to Wembley and it’s a real honor when you do that –
so the game is important for a number of reasons.”
Robins was fired by Coventry in November after more than seven years in charge before taking over at Stoke on New Year’s Day.
With one victory and four league draws under their new manager,
Stoke is now five points above the Championship relegation zone.
“I’ve only been in the club for just over a month and
I’m pleased there’s a marked improvement in certain aspects of what we do –
that comes from work and confidence and understanding,” Robins explained.
“All the things we’re trying to give the players they’re taking on board.”
On Wednesday, February 12,
Stoke will travel to Bristol City for their next league match.
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