Coventry City players need to show what they're made of, says John Harbin

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JOHN HARBIN has called on Coventry City's players to reproduce their Old Trafford and Ewood Park heroics and claim a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

The Sky Blues' joint caretaker boss knows that they have to hit the same dizzy heights that they have already produced against Premiership opposition this season to have any chance of getting through tomorrow's fifth-round tie against West Bromwich Albion at the Ricoh Arena.

"Anything less than the sort of performance at Manchester United or Blackburn is probably not going to be good enough," conceded the hugely popular performance manager.

"It is going to take an absolute top performance to beat West Brom.

"We have played them twice and it is hard to judge because on both occasions we have both had a player sent off but hopefully it will be 11 v 11 for 90 minutes to settle the argument.


"The reports are that they will be at it from the word go, and they will be expecting that from us because it is a Cup tie.


"The mood is very good. Even if it wasn't I would still be saying it was - but I am genuine here.


"The mood is very good and we couldn't have asked for any better from them - they have been exceptional."


If anyone fears City won't be up for the Cup, Harbin insists there is another big reason for the players to be at their best, adding: "They all know that with someone new coming in they need to impress.


"That person could be sitting in the stands on Saturday but it is a Cup tie and it should be self motivating.


"They are looking for some sort of leadership at the moment and Frankie Bunn and myself have got to provide that.


"The club asked us to stay on and it is up to us to fulfil that role 100 per cent, and anything less just wouldn't be right.


"We haven't had time to sit down and think about what has happened, so from that point of view things have been easier this week.


"Our focus has been on the Cup and we are hoping for a record ground attendance and this is one of the biggest games for a long, long time."

Although Harbin admits his knowledge of the finer details of the beautiful game are not exactly his strong point, he clearly has a crucial role in the newly forged double act.

"On the actual technique, tactics and stuff, if you can get below zero, it is below zero," admitted the extremely likeable Harbin whose background is in boxing and rugby league.

"Mine is more the psychology and fitness side of things and making sure the environment is right down at the training ground, and the players are treated accordingly.

"I have a very good relationship with the players. It is totally different to rugby league - Mars to Earth - they are different people."

And as for whether he feels he has a future at the club, he said: "I am keeping a complete open mind and I am not prejudging any situation.

"What happens happens and it will take care of itself.

Although Harbin admits his knowledge of the finer details of the beautiful game are not exactly his strong point, he clearly has a crucial role in the newly forged double act.

"On the actual technique, tactics and stuff, if you can get below zero, it is below zero," admitted the extremely likeable Harbin whose background is in boxing and rugby league.

"Mine is more the psychology and fitness side of things and making sure the environment is right down at the training ground, and the players are treated accordingly.

"I have a very good relationship with the players. It is totally different to rugby league - Mars to Earth - they are different people."

And as for whether he feels he has a future at the club, he said: "I am keeping a complete open mind and I am not prejudging any situation.

"What happens happens and it will take care of itself.

"In fact, more often than not, I believe in fate taking care of things.


"I like Coventry City and out of all the clubs I have been at, and that includes the rugby league clubs, Coventry is up there because it has a good set of players who I enjoy working with every day.


"It is hard to find a job where you can say you enjoy going to work every day, but that's how I feel at Coventry City."


As for Bunn, who has been keeping an extremely low profile this week, Harbin is unsure whether he wants to be considered for the vacant manager's job, saying: "He hasn't indicated to me one way or the other but the result could indicate what he wants to do."