Ahead of his side’s home clash with Spurs on Friday, Watford boss Sean Dyche believes the chances of lower league clubs causing shocks in the FA Cup are much harder now compared to when he was part of Chesterfield’s famous run in the competition in 1997 (Watford 6/1, Spurs 1/2, draw 3/1 – Match Betting).

Dyche was part of the Spireites side of 15 years ago that were close to becoming the first team from the third tier of English football to make it into the Cup final, when they almost beat Middlesbrough in the semi-final.

The former defender scored his side’s second goal at Old Trafford back in 1997 to give them a 2-0 lead over Boro, only for the Teessiders to come back and eventually draw 3-3, and Chesterfield then lost the replay 3-0 .

Dyche is hoping his Hornets can cause a big shock by knocking out Harry Redknapp’s side on Friday evening, but he has played down their chances and says football is very dfferent now compared to when he was playing.

“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.”

Watford will be up against it when the likes of Jermain Defoe, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and co head to Vicarage Road for the tie and Dyche is well aware just how good a side Tottenham are, although he has allowed himself to think an unlikely upset could still happen (Watford to win 1-0 – 12/1).

He added: “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.”