Source: Team_Talk
Howard targets another cup upset
The 26-year-old silenced the Anfield crowd with a last-gasp winner for the Tykes in the fifth round of the competition in 2008, and believes another upset against Rafael Benitez's men would provide a much-needed boost for the Berkshire club.[LNB]He told readingfc.co.uk: "There was hysteria in the town (Barnsley) and something like that really picks up the imagination of the whole place so it would be great to do that down here.[LNB]"I can remember us all going nuts in the dressing room and it was all a blur. No-one could really believe that we'd done it.[LNB]"I was captain at the time and, as we were stuck just a mile from the car park, I dragged everyone off the bus and we went to the pub to celebrate with the supporters.[LNB]"They couldn't believe their eyes. We had half an hour with them and then went back to celebrate with our families. If we get the win and I score on Saturday, I'll buy the whole pub a pint."[LNB]Reading head into the third-round encounter in a lowly 20th position in the Championship, but Howard reckons a shock is not out of the question and sees Saturday's game as an opportunity for his side to improve their league prospects.[LNB]He continued: "The lads have got no pressure on them. We all know that we haven't been good enough this season and we're in a position that we do not want to be in, but we need to resurrect ourselves as soon as possible.[LNB]"We can take our minds off things, play against some of the best players in the world and give it a good go. I would like to prove it was not a fluke, so watch this space and hopefully we'll get a chance to do it."[LNB]Benitez has hinted he may use Saturday's game as an opportunity to rest certain key players with Fernando Torres still struggling with ankle and groin problems.[LNB]But Royals striker Simon Church is hoping the Reds boss plays his strongest side so he can pit himself against the Spain star.[LNB]Church explained: "This type of game is what you want as a a player. Hopefully they will have a strong team and personally I would love to play on the same pitch as Torres.[LNB]"He is one of the best in the world and it would be an amazing experience to be on the same pitch as him."[LNB]He added: "Do we think we can win? Of course. Things haven't gone great at home but we have played some good football and no matter who plays, anything can happen in 90 minutes."[LNB]Defender Matthew Mills is expected to be handed a recall as caretaker boss Brian McDermott looks for a response to a damaging 4-1 defeat at Home Park on Monday which left the Royals just two points clear of the relegation zone.[LNB]Midfielder Howard has been an unused substitute for the last two games after a swift return from a broken jaw, and should be back in contention.[LNB]Jay Tabb is still struggling with a calf strain while striker Noel Hunt is likely to be out until the end of the season as he recovers from a knee injury.[LNB]New signing Gunnar Thorvaldsson is not available to play until next week's clash with Newcastle.[LNB][LNB] Reading v Liverpool. Click here to bet.
