Cup cheer keeps Coleman in credit

Another good FA Cup performance at Portsmouth on Saturday means a Ricoh Arena replay next Tuesday for the Sky Blues and a cash bonus from both an extra fixture and live TV coverage.

With only a mid-table place in the Championship to play for after another frustrating season to date, good cup results can keep the campaign alive and kickstart a decent run of form, as happened last year when momentum grew following City's run to the 6th Round (albeit league form then tailed off after the Chelsea defeat).

Chris Coleman was quoted recently expressing his gratitude for the patience shown to him, given that below-par league form, but his positive attitude to the cup has been rewarded with some big results and good memories for City fans, starved of much to warm them up over the last decade.

A potential home tie with Sunderland awaits the winner of the Portsmouth game and, given Pompey's problems and the fact that their team may be depleted further come next Tuesday, the Sky Blues are likely to start as favourites to progress.

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