Premier League legend Dion Dublin is backing Coventry City to push Man United all the way at Wembley in Sunday’s FA Cup Semi-final.
Dublin, speaking exclusively to BoyleSports, has backed the Sky Blues to surprise a lot of people in a game between two of his former clubs.
The former Coventry star chatted to us about how Coventry City’s chances of securing automatic promotion to the Premier League next season, the job that Gary O’Neil has done at Wolves, and previewed this season’s race for promotion as the Championship nears its conclusion.
Coventry City v Man United FA Cup Semi-Final Preview
Even if Coventry City do get beaten by Manchester United, I think the fans are happy with what they're watching.
They’re working-class fans in Coventry, working-class families who work Monday to Friday and want to see their team play well at the weekend and they’re seeing really good stuff.
I don't think there'll be a load of fear going into this game against United because they know in Ellis Simms they’ve got somebody in really good form.
Coventry City v Man United Prediction
I expect extra time and potentially penalties. I just think it'll go all the way. I don't think it's going to be an easy win at all, I think it will be 2-2.
I’d like to see that too because Coventry fans deserve a great day out and it’s going to be an amazing day.
*Coventry are 16/1 to win this FA Cup semi-final on penalties while Man United are 12/1 to win on penalties per the latest football odds at BoyleSports.
Coventry City Can Secure Automatic Promotion Next Season
Coventry City can definitely secure automatic promotion next season and I think that’s what Mark Robins will be looking for but I don’t think he will change the way he plays in order to get there.
It’s been a gradual step up of getting closer and closer, I see them as a Premier League football club.
Gary O’Neil ‘Brilliant’ At Wolves
Gary O’Neil has been brilliant at Wolves. He's just gone in there and he's backed himself as a coach, as a manager and the fans love him for it, singing his name.
Other Clubs Will Come Calling For Gary O’Neil
It’s a very well-supported football club and Gary O'Neil's gone in there and turned it around. He’s another manager who could be linked elsewhere.
Teams from Bundesliga or La Liga are going to have an eye out for him. When you're doing well and you're getting results and playing in style then other clubs will take notice.
You have to wonder why Bournemouth got rid of him!
Clubs losing players and managers is just part of the game and you need to prepare. If you go back to Sir Alex Ferguson, he had really good players and then things change.
Then he regrouped again and got other good players and just kept recycling. That's what you have to do when things are going well, you have to expect that somebody's gonna move or the manager's gonna move and you have to put things in place.
Brighton, who are the best at it, have things in place. So when that domino falls, you've got another domino ready to stand up and take its place.
But it’s very positive at Wolves, they play good football and the manager has been great, he’s definitely in with a shout of manager of the year, alongside Unai Emery.
West Brom Are A Premier League Club
I grew up in Leicester and West Brom were my team, my hero was Cyrille Regis, God rest his soul, who became my mate.
They had Brendon Batson and Laurie Cunningham as well and have always been a great football club. They are a Premier League club in my eyes.
*West Brom are 11/2 to be promoted to the Premier League per the latest Championship odds at BoyleSports.
Norwich’s Playoff Chances
I definitely give Norwich a chance in the playoffs, they are a great football club. I started at Norwich and played for eight clubs and then came back and finished with them.
I've got a lot of time for Delia and Michael, who have carried the football club for years financially, so you have to tip your hat to them.
They are the hub of the community like most football clubs are but Norwich in particular. They live for it.
*Norwich are 6/1 to be promoted to the Premier League per the latest Championship odds at BoyleSports.
The Reason For Leicester’s Poor Form
Leicester's poor run of form could be down to how fast they started the season and how they were just blowing teams away.
Sometimes you can by accident take your eye off the ball. The level can drop and you concede goals and just need a kick up the backside to get going again.
They need to regroup and at times they are still looking really good and have played the best football in the league, just look at how good Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been.
When you're talking about players that have interest in them, he could be someone that ends up back in the Premier League with a club like Fulham or someone else if Leicester go up or not.
Challenges of Finishing Third Going Into Championship Playoffs
Physically and mentally it will be very hard for Leeds or for whoever finishes third in the Championship table. The hardest thing is to get your players back up again.
I've played in the playoffs and it’s tough, mentally, really draining. That’s when your senior players like Jamie Vardy, if it is Leicester, will need to step up in the dressing room.
He has done and seen it all in football and they have other players that can lead. I’d say they are more equipped than most if it comes to it.
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