Houchen’s name is synonymous with Cup glory – his diving header during the Sky Blues’ famous 1987 triumph against Tottenham being firmly etched in final folklore.
Two seasons earlier, meanwhile, his 90th-minute penalty for York had dumped Arsenal out of the competition’s fourth round.
But the Middlesbrough-born forward was also on the receiving end of one of the tournament’s biggest shocks, as a 70th-minute sub when Coventry – still a top-flight team at that point – lost 2-1 at then Non-League hosts Sutton United in 1989.
Recalling that contest – just a month on from its 35-year anniversary – and the lessons the current Sky Blues can learn from it, Houchen told The FLP: “We’d trained on Sutton’s ground before we played the game, so we knew what to expect. The dressing rooms were really tight but a lot of us, including myself, had come up from the lower leagues, so we weren’t fazed by that. I remember (manager) John Sillett even saying to us, ‘Don’t be the idiots that everybody is writing and talking about tomorrow’.
Bu hikaye The Football League Paper dergisinin February 25, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Football League Paper dergisinin February 25, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
SEASIDERS' EVANS LEADS BY EXAMPLE
BLACKPOOL assistant coach Steve Agnew was delighted with his team’s performance as they confidently saw off the threat of Burton Albion at Bloomfield Road.
CHRIS' GUTSY BLUE BATTLE BACK TO NAB THE TOP SPOT
CHRIS Davies conceded his Birmingham City side were not up to their usual quality despite beating Peterborough United in a thrilling encounter.
WELLENS SLAMS ORIENT SUBS
LEYTON Orient boss Richie Wellens bizarrely criticised his substitutes’ efforts after his side were held at home by leaders Wrexham.
HARRIS HAILS HIS DOMINANT LIONS
North End outfought at The Den
ROONEY'S JOY AFTER ARGYLE HIT HATTERS...
WAYNE Rooney could not contain his delight after his Plymouth side breezed past Luton on Friday night.
RAMS LEFT FUMING OVER SAINZ STRIKES
NORWICH manager Johannes Hoff Thorup supported calls for the introduction of VAR in the Championship – even though he benefited from two major refereeing errors in his team’s win at Derby.
CARRICK'S CHUFFED WITH STARLET DOAK
MICHAEL Carrick thinks exciting winger Ben Doak has shown how determined he is to develop at Middlesbrough after helping to secure victory over Stoke City at the Riverside.
'Mature' Leeds are class above Cov
DANIEL Farke praised the “maturity” of his Leeds United side after they thumped early-season strugglers Coventry City with a dominant display at Elland Road.
SKIPPER TRAVIS IS TOPS FOR EUSTACE...
DELIGHTED Blackburn boss John Eustace lauded ‘inspirational’ captain Lewis Travis after his goal set them on their way to victory over 10man QPR.
BLADES BLUNTED BY PEPPY POMPEY
CHRIS Wilder heaped praise onto winless Portsmouth after they held his Sheffield United side to a goalless draw at Fratton Park.