Reading welcome West Bromwich Albion to the Mad Stad tonight knowing that they must have a psychological advantage over the Premiership strugglers after hitting back at the Hawthorns ten days ago.
Vital Quotes:
Dave Kitson
It’s almost as if we’ve forgotten what it’s like to be beaten – confidence is such that we feel invincible at the moment.
‘Every time we attack we look like we can score. We just need to keep doing what we’re doing and take it into the West Brom game.’
Bryan Robson
‘The possibility of playing Birmingham in the next round is an exciting proposition for fans in the midlands – but I’ve not looked too far ahead, because we’ve got to get past Reading first.
‘I was annoyed with the players in the first game. Mentally our preparation for that game wasn’t what it should have been, and that’s why we gave a scrappy display. Even then we went 1-0 up with eight minutes to go and weren’t able to run the game down. But I am confident we can do a job in the replay, and I hope the team I put out will see things through.’
Reading Team News:
There were players rested for the first game against West Brom and it looks like happening again with Leroy Lita and Steve Sidwell both likely to start.
Lita has not started a game since the game against Luton.
Shane Long may also feature.
Player to watch: Marcus Hahnemann
He was in top form last time out against Coventry and no doubt will not be in the mood for being beaten in this one.
West Brom Team News:
There have been reports that Bryan Robson could be without ten players due to injury at the start of this game.
Kevin Campbell, Paul Robinson and Steve Watson all picked up knocks in the game against Wigan on Sunday and with a very important game against Sunderland coming up, Robson may not want to rush them back too fast.
The trio join Thomas Gaardsoe (hernia), Zoltan Gera (hernia), Neil Clement (fractured cheekbone), Kanu (fractured cheekbone), Geoff Horsfield (hamstring), Diomansy Kamara (international duty) and Darren Moore (suspended) in being unavailable tonight.
Rob Elvins, Jared Hodgkiss, Rob Davies, Jeff Forsyth and Stuart Nicholson, who are all yet to make a senior appearance for Albion, have been included in the depleted squad.
Player to watch: Tomasz Kuszczak
Another keeper in fine form. Kept Wigan at bay on Sunday and his confidence will be high
Match Facts & Stats
Both sides have everything to play for with a potential game against Birmingham City just around the corner.
But although West Brom are the Premiership side, you have to fancy Royals chances of getting through after winning 25 and drawing seven of their games so far this season in all competitions.
The Royals have won two and drawn two of their last four meetings with West Brom.
The Baggies have only met Reading once before in the FA Cup, that was back in 1948 when the Royals were defeated 2-0.
Ref Watch:
Paul Taylor
Match Prediction:
Home win. Baggies are too depleted to worry Reading too much
As far as Reading are concerned this season, we have met up with Taylor twice, the first being at the start of the season when the Royals went down 2-1 at home to Plymouth Argyle. That afternoon Kevin Doyle and Glen Little both picked up yellow cards.
In December Taylor was back at the Mad Stad to take charge of the game with Brighton, a Kitson hat-trick and a goal apiece for Oatway and Hunt saw Reading run out 5-1 winners. Shorey picked up a yellow that day while Elphick, Hammond and Knight received yellows for the visitors. Elphick actually went one better and was sent off.
The Season So Far
So far this season Taylor has taken charge of 23 games giving out 65 yellow cards and four reds.
Both sides have everything to play for with a potential game against Birmingham City just around the corner.
But although West Brom are the Premiership side, you have to fancy Royals chances of getting through after winning 25 and drawing seven of their games so far this season in all competitions.
The Royals have won two and drawn two of their last four meetings with West Brom.
The Baggies have only met Reading once before in the FA Cup, that was back in 1948 when the Royals were defeated 2-0.
Ref Watch:
Paul Taylor CLICK HERE
Match Prediction:
Home win. Baggies are too depleted to worry Reading too much
Next Fixtures:
It’s almost as if we’ve forgotten what it’s like to be beaten – confidence is such that we feel invincible at the moment.
‘Every time we attack we look like we can score. We just need to keep doing what we’re doing and take it into the West Brom game.’
Hey dp, you forgot this one ——>
“”Adding: ‘But I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Reading and got on well with the fans, so I hope that is shown on Sunday. I hope to get a nice reception, I gave my all for Reading and I hope there is a mutual appreciation from the supporters – there certainly is from my side.’ “” DP
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