Don't try telling Coventry postman and regular Sky Blues watcher Micky Gynn that his club’s Wembley win was a surprise.

That is not how the former midfielder sees the club’s most famous result.

But they could do with the sort of belief and resilience Coventry showed 31 years ago if they are to land what Gynn recognises would indeed be a shock – by winning or drawing at the Amex.

Gynn was one of the midfield motors behind Coventry’s 3-2 win over Spurs in the 1987 FA Cup final beneath the old twin towers.

They came from a goal down early on and took the cup after Gary Mabbutt deflected into his own net in extra-time.

The match is best remembered for the diving header by Keith Houchen which dragged the Sky Blues back level for a second time during the 90 minutes.

The Argus:

Micky Gynn, left of picture, joins the goal celebrations at Wembley

Current Albion boss Chris Hughton was part of Tottenham side widely expected, outside Coventry at least, to repeat their cup successes of 1981 and 1982.

But they were left empty-handed on what remains the greatest day in Coventry’s history.

Now Gynn would love to see another big cup occasion – a replay back at the Ricoh if the League Two outfit can take Albion back for a replay.

He told The Argus: “Surprise? That cup final was no surprise to us!

“We had beaten them 4-3 in the league. It was no fluke at all.

“I remember it all really well. It was a fantastic day. To beat Spurs in a really open game was the perfect way to do it.

“We were 4-4-2 and I was in central midfield. If I made a break forward I found myself up against Mitchell Thomas.

“Chris was playing but I didn’t really come into contact with him.”

Coventry had finished the league season seven places below Tottenham, tenth compared to third.

That was the same gap as the following year, when eighth-placed Wimbledon beat champions Liverpool in the “Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club” final.

The gulf is bigger now. Albion are 14th in the Premier League and Coventry have slipped from the promotion places to ninth in League Two in recent weeks – or 77th in the league structure.

They shocked Stoke in the third round but have been hit by injuries since then.

Gynn watches them regularly as an analyst for local radio, though work means he tends to do home games only.

He said: “They are a typical League Two side and it’s typical League Two football.

“They have got a couple of important injuries because Jack Grimmer and Michael Doyle are probably the two best players they’ve got.

“Throughout the season you can’t knock the players’ effort but they haven’t had that ability to put the ball away when they are on top in a game.

The Argus:

Micky Gynn is now a postman

“Until the last few weeks they had the best defensive record in the division.

“They possibly still have but they have been letting a few more goals in.

“They are solid across the back but they have lost Grimmer at right-back and Tom Davies at centre-back.”

There is anther key absentee in injured central midfielder Doyle.

Gynn added: “Doyle used to sit as a holding midfielder and protect but his knee is a problem.

“That has disrupted the team. It’s a small squad and quite a young side.”

Coventry, though, will be backed by more than 4,000 fans.

Not many people seem to be predicting a surprise result at the Amex.

But then what sort of surprise would it be if people were expecting it beforehand?

Gynn said: “A shock is possible - without question. It depends on Brighton’s attitude. There’s nothing guaranteed.

“At the moment Coventry are limited but their strength is defending. They are organised.”

Marc McNulty has 13 league goals for the Sky Blues this term.

Meanwhile teenager Tom Bayliss is causing a real stir in his first season out of the youth team.

The Argus:

Steve Ogrizovic

He scored in the second minute of his full debut in mid-December and is now on three goals after netting in midweek.

Gynn added: “If McNulty and Bayliss don’t do something extraordinary I can’t see who is going to cause problems.”

Still, if today’s tie offers the excitement Coventry provided back in 1987, a crowd heading towards the 30,000 figure at the Amex should not be disappointed.

Gynn says he is still the same as he was back then as he does his rounds delivering the mail – a bundle of energy (though the knee is playing up).

Coventry won at Manchester United on their way to Wembley and Cyrille Regis starred in a 3-1 quarter-final success at Sheffield Wednesday.

The 3-2 win over Leeds in the semi, back at Hillsborough, was arguably an even better game than the final.

Former Albion boss Micky Adams was among the Leeds side heartbroken by Dave Bennett’s extra-time winner.

Along the way, big Steve Ogrizovic – now on the coaching staff – made some stunning saves.

Gynn, who came off the bench to equalise in the semi, said: “We had a settled team.

“We had Cyrille, God bless him, and Keith Houchen up front.

“I had Lloyd McGrath alongside me in midfield.

“In the final, Spurs played that five-man midfield of theirs with Paul Allen and Chris Waddle as the two who would spring forward and Glenn (Hoddle) spraying the passes.

“We even gave them a head start!

“I think I’d only touched the ball once when Clive Allen put them ahead in the second minute.

“But we came back and it was an unforgettable day.”