Dyche: Spireites run was different era

Sean Dyche believes the much-changed shape of English football has made FA Cup giantkillings more difficult than 15 years ago when, as a player, he helped captain Chesterfield famously to the semi-finals.

Dyche is now in his first year of senior management and looking to use those memories to help his Watford side cause an upset of their own against Tottenham at Vicarage Road on Friday night.

The 40-year-old former defender scored from the penalty spot to put Chesterfield into a 2-0 semi-final lead against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford in 1997 - and within touching distance of becoming the first third-tier side to reach the FA Cup final.

Boro hit back that day to take the lead before the Spireites salvaged a 3-3 draw after extra-time, only to bow out 3-0 in a replay. But Dyche feels the transformation of the game on these shores since then has made those exploits much harder to replicate.

"The Chesterfield thing was a different era," Dyche said. "Take nothing away from that run, but I think that was when clubs were only just beginning to bring in European and world talent - Fabrizio Ravanelli and Juninho and people like that. Now I think it's commonplace, the world's become a smaller place when it comes to football, and Tottenham are a good example of that."

He continued: "That gap has got bigger and it's harder to close. But we all know the magic and the beauty of the FA Cup and if that magic dust is willing to sprinkle on us then you never know."