Non-Televised Match Previews / Frank Gregan / 22 January 2009 /

Frank Gregan recalls Sutton's manager using Shakespeare to inspire his side to a historic win over Coventry many moons ago but thinks a giant-killing feat isn't on the cards for Coventry this year as they travel to non-league Torquay.

Most team talks follow the same pattern. Let's face it, a generic "keep it tight at the back, don't concede and make sure we take our chances at the other end" will guarantee a win. Incumbent managers, particularly those that are enjoying a lengthy spell at the helm (these days that means more than one season) are always seeking ways to freshen up their team talks and ensure that they don't become stale.

The man who masterminded the last top tier scalp to be taken in the FA Cup by a non-league side opted for a different approach. Barrie Williams was the manager of Sutton in 1989 when they defeated Coventry City, at that time a member of English football's elite, and holders of the trophy only eighteen months before.

He inspired his men with Shakespeare, "Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more" and "Cry god for Harry, England and Saint George!" These days the only Shakespeare in the dressing room is likely to come from the boom box playing the work of the girl band named after his sister, but even that is highly unlikely in these days of drum and bass. In the dressing room footballers do more rapping than Santa's little helpers at Christmas!

Coventry may now be a Championship side but they are still a scalp that any non-league side would like to claim. On Saturday they travel to Plainmoor to take on Torquay United in what looks to be a tricky tie for Chris Coleman's men. Torquay are no Sutton, I've managed sides that have played against both clubs and Torquay are a much more professional club and if the Championship side go into this tie with the wrong attitude, an upset may well be on the cards.

Torquay's league form is fairly solid; they currently occupy a play-off spot in the Blue Square Premier and have played three games so far this calendar year (all at home) -winning two and drawing one. One of the wins was highly significant as it came in the third round of the FA Cup against another Championship side - Blackpool. That result will have done wonders for the belief in the home dressing room and with a capacity crowd cheering them on, it could be a very long afternoon for the Sky Blues.

Coventry are lying in 13th place in the Championship but their recent results have been much better than that and they are currently enjoying a six match unbeaten run. This is a glorious opportunity for them to reach the last 16, which is vital in order to raise some much needed funds to allow Coleman to strengthen his squad.

The non-league side are the outsiders in the betting and Coventry are quite short given recent happenings in this competition. Torquay's Blackpool result and the scare that Forest Green gave Derby in the last round are proof that the divide can be bridged and the [4.0] available on Torquay is very tempting. However, it is the vein of form that Coventry are currently in that has swayed me and my few bob will be invested in Coventry at [2.14].

A Shakespearean quote is relevant to this tie but it should be directed at the favourites and not the underdog, "Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety." Can't see Chris Coleman saying that though, he'll probably just tell them to keep it tight at the back and take their chances in front of goal!

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