READING FC defender Matt Miazga issued a rallying cry to his teammates ahead of tonight’s “winnable” FA Cup tie against Sheffield United (8pm KO).
The USA international defender stressed Royals have enough quality within their ranks to beat Chris Wilder’s high-flying top-flight side.
Reading’s home form had been under scrutiny but they got back to winning ways for the first time in more than two months with a 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Barnsley on Saturday afternoon.
And Chelsea loanee Miazga insisted Royals need to take confidence from Saturday’s performance and stand up to the Blades.
“Is it winnable?” questioned Miazga.
“I think so. So we have to go for it.
“We know they’re doing really well in the Premier League so it’s going to be a challenge but that’s football.
It’s up to us to rise to the occasion and then anything can happen. We only had two days to prepare and they’re going to come at us all guns blazing.
“We have to be ready.”
The last time the two sides met in the FA Cup, back in January 2013, Royals thrashed the blades 4-0 at Madejski Stadium.
But Mark Bowen’s side will face a much tougher opposition tonight against a team currently challenging for European places.
Despite it not being a competition he watched during his childhood, Miazga admitted he has embraced the importance of the competition.
“Growing up I watched the Premier League but I know the importance of the FA Cup and the magic surrounding it,” he said.
“It’s an important trophy and everyone wants to win trophies. I was able to win a similar trophy in Holland so why not go for one in England?”
Miazga is expected to keep his place in the starting XI after returning from a short spell on the sidelines on Saturday.
Captain Liam Moore missed out against Barnsley through illness but should be eligible for selection.
Tonight’s fixture is expected to fetch the biggest stadium capacity of the season with more than 17,000 tickets sold so far.
Club 1871, the Royals’ dedicated atmosphere zone, is already sold out.
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