Ask any Hull City fan about the FA Cup, and the hairs on the back of their neck will prick up, and they'll go gooey-eyed as they think back to the FA Cup final of 2014, an occasion filled with immense pride but no shortage of frustration and feelings of what might have been.

Since that early summer's afternoon under the Wembley arch against Arsenal 11 years ago, the FA Cup has provided little joy, particularly in the last few years. City's involvement in the world's oldest competition has been almost a non-event.

Not since the ill-fated season of 2019/20 have the Tigers progressed past the third round, and even then, it ended at the hands of Chelsea in round four.

READ MORE: Grant McCann delivers Hull City verdict ahead of latest Tigers reunion

READ MORE: Predicted Hull City line up for Doncaster Rovers with summer signing in line for his Tigers bow

On Sunday, City's 2025 incarnation will host League Two Doncaster Rovers, a team they're no stranger to, having played them in the Carabao Cup last season and again in the summer just gone - the less said about those two horror shows, the better I'd suggest.

For the first time in his fledgling City career, Ruben Selles will take charge of a cup game and while naturally, staying in the Championship remains the big priority, having a run in the FA Cup is exactly what the club needs.

It needs a lift, it also needs a distraction, and quite frankly, it could do with the cash. Admittedly, Sunday's game will not generate much ticket income given what is expected to be a fairly mediocre attendance, but getting through round three is worth a decent £115,000, and then each round thereafter increases substantially.

Should City then get a glamour tie at home or on the road, then that will only increase the payday, which, for a club haemorrhaging the best part of £500,000 per week, anything is welcome.

As a club, City have not won enough games of football for a long time, especially at the MKM Stadium. That winning culture has been lost, and it needs to be found again if the Tigers are to get away from trouble and, in time, start to think about challenging at the top end of the pitch.

City know all about the magic of the cup, and while a home clash with Doncaster may not be one to set the pulses racing, it is important. Winning is a habit and it's one Selles is determined to bring to the club. Momentum is also important. After each positive result, they've dropped the ball.

After the excitement of the brilliant comeback against Leeds United on Saturday, it's imperative that Selles' side backs it up by dealing with the task in front of them and coming through a slippery tie with credit in the bank. We all know the danger Rovers possess; we saw it in the Carabao Cup last season and again in the summer when McCann's side dismantled Tim Walter's make-shift outfit.

If the Tigers are to escape the clutches of the Championship's drop zone, they need wins. while the FA Cup does not offer league points, it does give them the chance to win a game at home, build some confidence, momentum and excitement because wins in this competition can breed confidence into the league campaign.

Cup games also give managers the chance to bring in younger players or players in need of fitness. That huge opportunity was lost in August when Walter's side were beaten by Sheffield Wednesday's reserves, and Selles can ill-afford to allow something similar to happen here.

It might 'only' be a cup game, but having gone out in round two, round three, round three and round three in the past four years, City and their fans are in desperate need of some FA Cup joy, and what better way than to start on Sunday afternoon.