06 March 2015
By Alex Bower
"We are under no illusions at all that to get through this game we are going to have to play
probably better than we have at any point this season so far."
- Ex-Reading player and Bradford City Manager Phil Parkinson
After much pre-match build up and anticipation, tomorrow we will finally know whether Reading
FC have equalled their best FA Cup run of 1927 run by making it through to the Semi-Finals. The
Royals just have the small issue of beating the 'giant killers' Bradford City who will not go down
without a fight. Having already beaten Premier League sides Chelsea and Sunderland, the
League 1 side actually find themselves as favourites to make history and get through to the FA
Cup Semi-Finals for the first time in 104 years.
"What Bradford have achieved in the competition so far is fantastic, but it's up to us to go up
there and be the spoilers of the party."
- Reading Manager Steve Clarke
Reading have seemingly snuck under the radar to make it this far in the competition, beating the
likes of Huddersfield, Cardiff and Derby all away from home. The Bantams, in comparison, have
seen off Premier League sides and consequently the underdogs of the competition have quite the
following in the media. Reading have failed to win in their last three matches and this is
something that the media have latched onto, suggesting that Reading players will be low on
confidence coming into the game. On the back of a late draw against Bolton in the
Championship, courtesy of a Mackie goal, Reading spirits will be higher than expected. Bradford
come into the game on the back of a 1-0 home victory against relegation-threatened Crawley
Town so confidence will be high, especially considering their current FA Cup run.
A recent concern with Reading is their goal scoring form. In the FA Cup such worries, however,
are not apparent. Having scored five goals in three games away from home, Reading must be
optimistic going into an away match against weaker opposition. With key players like Danny
Williams being left out the starting lineup against Bolton in the last game, the Royals are in a good
position to progress in the competition. The only slight worry is the knock that Simon Cox took
against Bolton, but he should be alright to feature against Bradford.
What can be guaranteed is that both sides are in for one hell of a game. While it will probably not
be of the same ilk as Manchester United v Arsenal, it will be a hard fought game with a
Semi-Final spot on the line. Despite having players like Jon Stead amongst their ranks, Reading
should have the quality to see them through. As Chelsea will know, however, quality is not
everything when it comes to the FA Cup.
See Also:
<em>"We are under no illusions at all that to get through this game we are going to have to play
probably better than we have at any point this season so far."</em><br/>
- Ex-Reading player and Bradford City Manager Phil Parkinson
<br/><br/>
After much pre-match build up and anticipation, tomorrow we will finally know whether Reading
FC have equalled their best FA Cup run of 1927 run by making it through to the Semi-Finals. The
Royals just have the small issue of beating the 'giant killers' Bradford City who will not go down
without a fight. Having already beaten Premier League sides Chelsea and Sunderland, the
League 1 side actually find themselves as favourites to make history and get through to the FA
Cup Semi-Finals for the first time in 104 years.
<br/><br/>
<em>"What Bradford have achieved in the competition so far is fantastic, but it's up to us to go up
there and be the spoilers of the party."</em><br/>
- Reading Manager Steve Clarke
<br/><br/>
Reading have seemingly snuck under the radar to make it this far in the competition, beating the
likes of Huddersfield, Cardiff and Derby all away from home. The Bantams, in comparison, have
seen off Premier League sides and consequently the underdogs of the competition have quite the
following in the media. Reading have failed to win in their last three matches and this is
something that the media have latched onto, suggesting that Reading players will be low on
confidence coming into the game. On the back of a late draw against Bolton in the
Championship, courtesy of a Mackie goal, Reading spirits will be higher than expected. Bradford
come into the game on the back of a 1-0 home victory against relegation-threatened Crawley
Town so confidence will be high, especially considering their current FA Cup run.
<br/><br/>
A recent concern with Reading is their goal scoring form. In the FA Cup such worries, however,
are not apparent. Having scored five goals in three games away from home, Reading must be
optimistic going into an away match against weaker opposition. With key players like Danny
Williams being left out the starting lineup against Bolton in the last game, the Royals are in a good
position to progress in the competition. The only slight worry is the knock that Simon Cox took
against Bolton, but he should be alright to feature against Bradford.
<br/><br/>
What can be guaranteed is that both sides are in for one hell of a game. While it will probably not
be of the same ilk as Manchester United v Arsenal, it will be a hard fought game with a
Semi-Final spot on the line. Despite having players like Jon Stead amongst their ranks, Reading
should have the quality to see them through. As Chelsea will know, however, quality is not
everything when it comes to the FA Cup.
<p><strong>See Also:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><A href="/news/347/Bradford_-v-_Reading_-_Match_Preview">Match Preview: Bradford City -v- Reading</a></li>
</ul>
02 May 2026
Gloomy End Of Season As Royals Finish With Defeat
20 April 2026
Summer Changes Are Afoot For Reading After Promotion Disappointment
18 April 2026
Another Team Promoted At Reading
11 April 2026
Season Over After Defeat At Doncaster
09 April 2026
Vote For Player Of The Season
May 2026
April 2026
March 2026
February 2026
Hob Nob Anyone? - Home (Non-AMP)