The Saddlers take a breather from the league this weekend as we aim to cause another cup upset and knock Championship side Reading out of the FA Cup.
Vital Quotes:
Chambers ‘”The lads are very much looking forward to it,” said the experienced midfielder.
“We`ve played a few Championship sides in the cup competitions this season and performed very well in all of those games and come through them with wins.
“We`ll be looking to do the same on Saturday.
“Reading are a very good side, an established Championship team, and it`s going to be a difficult game.’
McDermott ”Walsall are a good team, I’ve seen them a couple of times this season.
‘They’ve beaten other Championship sides in the FA Cup so far, they’ve got attacking threats.
‘This is a really good test for us and we’re just trying to get through. It’s a game I’m really looking forward to.’
Reading Team News:
Reading captain Paul McShane is fit after spending almost a month out with a calf injury while fellow centre-back Michael Hector has shaken off a knock.
Midfielder Stephen Quinn is also available again but Garath McCleary misses out with a hamstring problem.
Player to watch: Matej Vydra
The former Watford striker has scored ten goals for the Royals this season, including four in the FA Cup.
Its safe to say Paul Downing and James O’Connor will have their work cut out tomorrow.
Walsall Team News:
New Walsall signing Bryn Morris is cup-tied for the Saddlers after playing in the competition for York this season.
Striker Tom Bradshaw is likely to face a Reading team who have shown interest in him in the current transfer window.
Player to watch: Romaine Sawyers
Sawyers loves the big games and will relish the chance to prove his worth once more against Championship opposition.
Sawyers has failed to score since October.
Match Facts & Stats
eading and Walsall last met in the FA Cup back in 2003 when the Saddlers beat the Royals in a third-round replay at the Madejski Stadium, Colin Lee’s Saddlers eventually winning 4-1 in a penalty shootout.
The only other time these two sides met was in the first round in November 1951, when Reading won 1-0.
Reading have progressed from seven of their last eight FA Cup ties against lower-league opposition.
Walsall won at Championship side Brentford, managed by their former manager Dean Smith, in the third round. Their previous meeting with higher-ranked opposition was against Stoke City in 2006, when Paul Merson’s team lost 2-1, the Saddlers’ last appearance in the fourth round.
Matej Vydra has twice as many FA Cup goals this season (four in two games) as he does league goals for Reading (two in 20 appearances).
Ref Watch:
Mr P Bankes has issued seventy six yellow cards this season, one red card and awarded three penalties.
Bankes was in charge of our 2-1 victory over Championship side Brighton this season.
Match Prediction:
We have beaten three Championship sides this season so lets add another to the list! – 2-1 Walsall – Bradshaw and Mantom.
Next Fixtures:
02.02.16 – Doncaster v WALSALL
