Hunt: Reading FC must fight like underdogs against Stevenage

Anthony Smith • Published 6 Jan 2012 10:35 0 Comments

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NOEL Hunt says Reading must 'fight like underdogs' in Saturday's FA Cup battle against Stevenage.

The Irish striker believes Royals will have to be ready for the scrap of their lives when they face Graham Westley's dangerous League One outfit in a third round clash at Madejski Stadium.

Brian McDermott's hosts have made it to the last two quarter-finals in the competition, and Hunt knows they will need to roll up their sleeves this weekend in order to avoid a potential banana skin.

Hunt, 28, warned: "Stevenage are flying, they've been on a good run to get into the play-off positions in League One.

"They'll be a tough, confident side. Obviously we played them last season in the FA Cup so we know what to expect.

"These games are what the FA Cup is all about. No disrespect to Stevenage but they will be the underdogs, and sometimes it's time for the underdog to shine.

"It will be a hard game for us and we need to fight like we are the underdogs to make sure we get through to the next round."

Boro were one of the surprise packages of last season's FA Cup after dumping out Alan Pardew's Newcastle United in the third round.

But the dream ended for Westley's men against the Royals in the next round when Shane Long struck a late winner in a 2-1 victory at Broadhall Way.

Nevertheless, Stevenage went on to secure promotion via the play-offs and are pushing once again in sixth place in League One.

"They're obviously a very good side," added Hunt. "It was a difficult game at their place last season and we know it will be the same at our place on Saturday.

"But we want to get the job done and be in the hat for the fourth round."

Royals will be itching to get back out on to the field following Monday's disappointing 3-1 defeat at Cardiff City.

By McDermott's own admission, his side were below par on the night, and Hunt believes the demands of a hectic fixture list took their toll.

"To expect players to be fit to play two games in 48 hours is ridiculous, especially in the modern game when there is so much running," he complained. "Players put their bodies on the line for 90 minutes and it's hard.

"Obviously we can't complain too much because it was the same for Cardiff, but these things should be looked at.

"There's no reason why the game couldn't have been played on Tuesday night to give us an extra day. It's brain-dead stuff."

Hunt was also bemused by two key decisions made by referee Chris Foy in the Cardiff defeat.

The Merseyside official allowed Joe Mason's opener to stand and then failed to penalise Cardiff for a foul on Royals keeper Adam Federici for their second.

"The goals we conceded were poor but we weren't helped by some decisions for the first two," he argued.

"Then first was handball because he knocked the ball into his path and gained an advantage.

"The for their second goal a Cardiff player was pulling Adam Federici into the net with him. It was schoolboy stuff that should have been knocked out the game a long time ago.

"It's very frustrating because these people (match officials) don't realise there are jobs on the line. It's disgusting really.

"But it's out of our hands now. We've got to pick ourselves up and get ready for the FA Cup.

"We wanted to keep our run going, but we need to concentrate on Stevenage now because we have some big games to come after that."

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 05 Jan 12

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