The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 17

WEEKEND. THE GUARDIAN Saturday May 16 1987 17 Cup final day in England and Scotland: Guardian writers on the Wembley and Hampden showpieces SBtJRX Allen key to the final dream will be hoping to embarrass Clemence, Gough and Mabbutt a second time. To do this Bennett will need to get behind Spurs on the flanks and produce the sort of centres most likely to capitalise on the power of Regis in the air. Part of Tottenham's present appeal is that they no longer rely on plying a target figure with high crosses. This tactic vanished when Mark Falco was sold to Watford and Pleat opted for a five-man midfield designed to use Glenn Hoddle's skill to best effect and reunite him with Ossie Ardiles.

However they are heavily reliant on Clive Allen for goals and he would not be the first prolific striker to fail in a Wembley final although he deserves better luck than he had in 1982, when playing against Spurs for Queen's Park Rangers, he twisted an ankle at the start of that game and missed not only the second half but the replay. Hoddle, almost certainly playing his match for Tottenham before moving abroad, kept the Cup at White Hart Lane five years ago with a penalty and is capable of winning it for them again with one imperious gesture. Chris Waddle has it in him to destroy Coventry by means of the sort of outrageous piece of individualism with which Ricky Villa ended Manchester City's hopes in 1981. However, Clive Allen is the main reason why Spurs are favourites to win the FA Cup for a record eighth time. They have never lost a final and while they have not always played to their potential at Wembley the wealth of big-match experience in the side will, again be important today.

Coventry do not lack experience and if their players' settle down early Spurs may soon find themselves embroiled in the sort of close-knit encounter they would prefer to avoid. The longer the game goes on without a goal the more confident Coventry are likely to become since they are habitually strong finishers. Certainly their claim to nominal possession of the FA Cup will not be withdrawn until, or unless, the Duchess of Kent presents the trophy to Richard Gough. Faith can move mountains and Coventry have already found Spurs climbable. That thought will sustain their players and supporters alike today.

WHEN JIMMY HILL was inspiring Coventry City's rapid rise to the -First Division in the sixties he wanted to launch a sky-blue rocket every time the home team scored at Highfield Road. Air traffic control objected and so a bright idea never left the ground. Today Coventry are reaching for the sky again and because their opponents in the 1987 FA Cup final are a club who, in footballing terms, have for years been on nodding terms with the gods, Wembley is set for one of its more intriguing contests. Tottenham Hotspur should win because in most positions they have better players but Coventry could win because, as they have already shown once this season, what appears logical on paper is sometimes less obvious on grass. A win for Coventry this afternoon in their first final would not be the biggest upset in the competition's history nor would it be among the front runners.

To say otherwise would do less than justice to the way in which George Curtis and John Sillett have revived the side this season and the achievement of the players in keeping Coventry in the top half of the First Division after several seasons of drudgery near the bottom. No, if Spurs lose this afternoon it will hardly be a surprise to rank with Sunderland's defeat of Leeds United in -the 1973 final or Southampton's triumph over Manchester United three years later. Both of these victories went to unfancied Second Division sides and Coventry are hardly that. They also have a better chance of defeating Tottenham than, say, Brighton had of beating Manchester United in 1983 In addition Spurs, for all their- qualities, still look more vulnerable than any of Howard Kendall's successful Everton teams and because vulnerability often produces open football this year's final should provide plenty of entertainment. To find a precedent you only have to go back four-and-a-half months to December 27 when Tottenham visited Highfield Road.

David Pleat, the Spurs manager, describes the match graphically At half-time we were luckily in front courtesy of Clive Allen. After 20 minutes of the second half Coventry led 3-2 courtesy of Ray Clemence, David Lacey on Tottenham's fragile quality and Coventry's sky high hopes Richard Gough and Gary Mabbutt. Coventry did not try to sit on their lead. They came at us like lunatics trying to make it 4-2. With six minutes to go Claesen pulled the score back to 3-3 and our players were convinced we could win the game because we'd had them on the rack for 15 minutes.

We went at them as they had gone at us and then Regis scored their winner. None of Spurs' previous FA Cup ties this season has set pulses racing because they have so obviously been the better side, although their win at Wimbledon in the quarter-finals was an excellent example of defensive composure and attacking opportunism. Coventry, on the other hand, have gone from one dream to another with notable wins at Manchester United, Stoke and Sheffield Wednesday before that memorable encounter with Leeds in the semi-finals. That match, perhaps even more than their seven-goal thriller with Tottenham at Christmas, summed up the possibilities for this afternoon. During this period Leeds, who like Tottenham do not play with an orthodox centre-forward but rely on well-timed runs from deep positions to confuse the defence, baffled Coventry's back four.

Spurs will also have noted that both of the Leeds goals were helped by slack marking in the middle of the Coventry defence. For their part Coventry I :4.v0i:!v!i;. Brian Wilson on the Scottish Cup's surprise United to spoil Paisley pattern EVERY DOG has its day, and so should every town which takes the trouble to sustain a senior football club. Paisley, a town more wracked than most by industrial decline, has had to wait a long time for celebrations based on the achievements of St Mirren. It was in 1959 that they last won the Scottish Cup Today the town will transport itself to Hampden Park in the utmost confidence that the Paisley Buddies will once more return triumphant.

Mir-ren's unexpected arrival in the final has given a touch of genuine community magic to the occasion, and most of Scotland is behind them. This is a touch paradoxical, since all of Scotland will be behind Dundee United in their efforts to land the UEFA Cup next Wednesday against Gothenburg. Furthermore St Mirren's record in Scottish Cup finals they also took the trophy in 1926 positively glows in com- Earison to United's, who ave never won it in their 78 years' history. St Mirren changed managers in mid-season and much of their progress has flowed from then. When Alex Miller moved to Hibs, the Paisley board made a shrewd choice in appointing Alex Smith, long-time manager of lowly Stirling Albion but a highly respected figure in the Scottish game.

His first signing, the vastly experienced Jimmy Bone as assistant, was equally well-judged. Smith immediately gave his squad a target to aim for. He identified the Cup as the season's avenue into Europe and repeatedly pointed out that it was just four games away. The players picked up that challenge and have overcome their hurdles in reasonably impressive style, particularly when disposing of Hearts in the semi-final. St Mirren have a well-established reputation for fast, skilful play and there are still no better move-builders in Scotland when they hit form.

Experienced players like midfielder Billy Abercromby and the irrepressible striker Frank McGarvey line up alongside youngsters whose creativity has been encouraged under Smith at Love Street. It can be a very impressive blend. Two of Scotland's best goalkeepers will be at Hampden today. Dundee United's Billy Thomson has earned an international reputation this season, particularly with his gerformance in Gothen-urg. He moved to Tannadice from St Mirren and comes from Linwood.

just down the road from Paisley. His replacement at t.ove street, uampoeii Money, is scarcely less reliable and has recovered from injury in time for today's final. But if the heart says St Mirren the head must say Dundee United to break their curious Scottish Cup duck. For almost the first time this season, they have not had a midweek game to sap their energies and manager Jim McLean reports them to be in first-class physical and psychological shape. Their European run has given the team a relaxed seit-connaence mat tended, in the past, to be notably absent on big occasions.

The vastly experienced nne-up win be at rail strength now that Ian Redford has been declared fit, and McLean says his only problem is in deciding who to leave out. McGARVEY: St Mirren's threat EXPLORING ROLE Regis, who will seek out Spurs' flaws HOW THEY REACHED WEMBLEY SCORING ROLE Allen, goal merchant who must deliver HOW THEY LINE UP TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR COVENTRY CITY (White shirts, white shorts, white (Blue-arid-white striped shirts. socks) navy shorts, blue socks) Clemence Ogrizovic Hughton. Gough, Mabbutt. M.

Phillips, Kilcline, Peake. Downs, Thomas Bennett, McGrath, Gynn, Waddle, P. Allen. Hoddle. Ardiles, Pickering Hodge Houchen.

Regis C. Allen Substitutes: Sedgley, Rodger Substitues: Claesen, Stevens Referee: N. Midgley (Salford) from the Coventry camp had been increasingly optimistic about his Wembly chances. Yesterday, however, the club specialist, John Aldridge, discovered a piece of floating bone in the joint, and Borrows was immediately booked into hospital for an operation. David Pleat, the Tottenham manager, has decided to keep Chris Hughton at right-back and have Gary Stevens on the bench.

BRIAN BORROWS, Coventry City's right-back, will miss the FA Cup final, having lost a week-long battle to recover from a knee injury. As expected, Dave Phillips will switch positions to take his place with Micky Gynn, who would have started the game on the bench, filling the vacancy in midfield. Since Borrows damaged the knee playing against Southampton last Saturday reports David Lacey's player guide Robert Armstrong on Glenn Hoddle's love-hate relationship with English football Swan song for last golden oldie TUNED IN Hoddle could grace cion, partly because he makes so many ambitious 40-yard passes, partly because it took nim years to learn to fight in order to express his skills. I shall always be grateful to Don Howe for helping me at a crucial time in my career," says Hoddle. I was being so tightly marked that I was beginning to be stifled by the close attention of defenders.

Don said that the best escape was to match force with force, as only after acting on this theory would I be able to free myself to express my full range of skills. Don opened my eyes, and I have learnt to be combative." Yet Hoddle has missed very few games through injury, notching up more than 500 appearances for Spurs and scoring around 120 goals, including eight for England. Surprisingly he is the only Tottenham player ever to have gained international honours at four levels-youth, under-21, and full- 21 to Tottenham: Third Round: Tottenham 3 Scunthorpe 2. Scorers: Mabbutt. Claesen, waaaie.

An: la.jjy. Fourth Round: Tottenham 4. Crvstal Pal ace 0. Scorers: Mabbutt. O'Reilly o.g..

C. Alien ipenj. wiaesen. An: 2tj.eU3. Fifth Round: Tottenham 1.

Newcastle 0 Scorer: C. Allen (pen). Art. 38.033. Sixth Round: Wimbledon 0.

Tottenham 2. scorers: waddle. Hoddle. Art: 15,636. Semi Final (Villa Park): Tottenham 4.

waiiora i. scorers: noage i. u. Alien, v. Allen.

Art: 46.151. since the arrival of David Pleat at Tottenham has rationalised his previously wayward talent without losing the spontaneity so essential to his style. LEFT SIDE. If the avenues on the right are closed to them Bennett and Waddle will switch to the left as an alternative tack but generally Coventry will be looking to Nick Pickering and Spurs to Steve Hodge, supported by the respective left-backs, to maintain their width and balance on this side of the field. Hodge has the knack of arriving at the far post to snap up rebounds, deflections and stray centres from the right.

But do not rule out Pickering's potential as a goalscorer. STRIKERS. So far as Tottenham are concerned virtually all discussions about putting the ball into the net begin and end with Clive Allen. When a player has scored 48 goals in a season this is inevitable. Positioning, anticipation, quick reflexes and the ability to get almost all his shots on target make Allen today's most obvious match-winner for Tottenham.

From Coventry's point of view the situation is less clear cut. Cyrille Regis, now showing the vision he had not acquired when he was in the England squad five years ago, still scores fairly regularly but is of equal value as a strong creative force, especially in the air. Keith Houchen, big-boned and methodical, has arrived at Wembley from the draughty lower divisions but retains the habit of scoring goals that help settle cup-ties the winner at Manchester United, two at Sheffield Wednesday and another in the Hillsborough semi-final. COVENTRY: Third Bound: Coventry 3. Bolton 0.

Scorers: Downs. Bennett. Regis. Art: 12.004. Fourth Round: Manchester United 0.

Coventry 1. Scorer: Houchen. Art: 49.082. Fifth Round: Stoko 0. Coventry 1.

Scorer: Gynn. Art: 31.255. Sixth Round: Sheffield Wednesday 1. Coventry 3. Scorers: Houchen 2.

Regis. Art: 48.005. Semi-final (Hillsborough): Coventry 3. Leeds 2 (aet: score at 90 minutes -2-2). Scorers: Gynn.

Houchen. Bennett. Art: 51.372. Mabbutt may look the better of the two partnerships but that was not borne out by events when the teams met at Highfield Road this season. Nevertheless Brian Kilcline and Trevor Peake are undoubtedly happier when they have to deal with an orthodox English attack aiming high crosses at tall strikers.

MIDFIELD. This is where Tottenham should hold a distinct advantage both in numbers and quality. Glenn Hoddle says that this will be his last game for Spurs and naturally he wants to orchestrate one final triumph. Ossie Ardiles, Hoddle's most natural foil, is another experienced Wembley hand, Paul Allen played there for West Ham in the 1980 final and Steve Hodge is an England regular. Coventry's chances of breaking up Spurs' movements between the penalty areas will not be helped by Phillips having to switch to right-back.

With Micky Gynn starting the match they have lost that sharp change of gear which, as a substitute, he brought to their play at a crucial stage of the semifinals. RIGHT SIDE. Jf there is one Coventry player more determined than the rest to win today it is surely Dave Bennett, who faced Spurs in the replayed 1981 final when he was with Manchester City and finished on the losing side. Bennett belongs to that rare breed of modern footballer who holds the crowd's attention the moment he gets the ball. His dribbling skills are a throwback to the days of Newcastle's Bobby Mitchell and since he scores goals as well as creating them Bennett has to be regarded as a potential match-winner.

As much goes for Chris Waddle who GOALKEEPERS. After last year's all-Merseyside final the echoes will linger on in the shape of Tottenham's Ray Clemence and Steve Ogrizovic of Coventry. Both have played for Liverpool and this season Ogrizovic has emerged as a top-class goalkeeper in his own right. His 6ft 4in frame enables him to dominate jmost goalmouth skirmishes (although Spurs, who do not rely overmuch on crosses, lare unlikely to play to his Igreatest strength. RIGHT-BACK.

Both clubs have had selection problems at right-back. Gary Stevens, normally Tottenham's first choice, has struggled to regain full fitness and the unlucky Brian Borrows damaged a knee playing against Southampton weekend. Chris Hughton, dependable although not quite the defender he once promised to be, has already proved an adequate alternative to Stevens but in replacing Borrows Coventry are having to disturb a successful pattern by moving Phillips from midfield to right-back. However, they did this when Borrows missed his only League game of the season and beat Spurs 4-3. LEFT-BACK.

The perfor- TTiatlPP.Q nf the rocnoniira lafK backs, Mitchell Thomas for Tottenham and Greg Downs for Coventry, could have an important bearing on the outcome of tnriav'c inatVi entry will be hoping that the uiuoe uuiuroi ana acceleration of Rennprr onnhlo tVipm to Set hehinri tho Snnrc de fence on the right. Similarly, luuemiain win De looKing to Waddle's long legs to stride past the opposition's cover on the other side of the field. The SDIirx rnmhinniinn nf Richard Gough and Gary GLENN HODDLE is possibly the most divisive personality, in English football apart from Brian Clough. Managers, coaches, and critics either love him or revile him, while supporters give a positive vote with, their feet by putting extra thousands on the gate every time his name appears on the Tottenham team sheet. In a real sense he is the last of the golden oldies men like Danny Blanchflower, Johnny Haynes, and Bobby Charlton whose mere presence was a guarantee of something special.

Today it is appropriate that Hoddle should grace the Wembley stage with his last appearance in the English game before embarking on his swan song with a European club. Hoddle, 30 in October, has enjoyed mixed fortunes when wearing the England shirt at Wembley, where the fans have rarely given him the rapturous acclaim he receives at White Hart Lane. One reason for the ambivilent response is that in the past decade England have never contrived a lenghtly period of unqualified success with or without Hoddle. Under Ron Greenwood he rarely played two games in succession, and it is only in the past two years that Bobby Robson has automatically included Hoddle's name in the England team. If Hoddle had been born in Brazil or West Germany the national team would almost certainly have been built around his unique talents, just as Holland made Johann Cruyff their creative general in the 70s.

But in the muscular, work-obsessed world of English football Hoddle has been regarded with suspi- However, transfer deals involving Kevin Keegan's club, Hamburg, Cologne, and later AC Milan fell through, as did an intriguing offer from Ron Atkinson, who asked Hoddle to become the creative lynchpin of his new Manchester United side. At the age of 25 Hoddle signed a four-year contract with Spurs which ended further speculation and ensured that the best he could expect in Europe would be a couple of seasons at the fagend of his career. Even then Spurs were worrying about Hoddle's work rate, his contribution to defence, and his alleged lack of aggression. The manager, Keith Burkinshaw, publicly criticised him for lack of effort though Shreeve (then coach) concedes that Spurs made a genuine mistake by trying to persuade Hoddle to tackle back and close players down It is unfortunate that Hoddle has been both hero and victim of the sterile ghilosophical debate that has edevilled English football for 20 years. Clubs like Watford and Wimbledon have shown that there is a place for both workers and artists, runners and playmakers, at every level of competition.

It is sad that a club with the creative traditions of Spurs should try to convert Hoddle from being a specialist of astonishing vision into a multi-purpose midfield engine-driver. It is the fervent hope of all who care about the inspirational qualities of football that today Hoddle will show Wembley and 500 million television viewers around the world what Spurs will be missing when he moves to Europe. Wembley this afternoon even though there have been frequent doubts about his England future. Peter Shreeve, who coached Hoddle from youth to senior level, recalls how he upset the Spurs fans by promoting him to the reserve team at a time when the youth side was attracting around 1,000 fans who came mainly to see the teenager's precocious skills. In the mid-70s Shreeve's main worry was whether Hoddle would develop sufficient physical strength to become a senior professional.

Hoddle may feel in retrospect that he made a major error in not joining a European club in his mid-20s, as Liam Brady, of Arsenal did by moving to Juventus when he was 24. I have wanted to play abroad from the age of because I have always felt that the continental style would be more conducive to bringing bringing out the best in my game," Hoddle reveals in his book Spurred Success..