Manager's comments pre FA Cup

"This is no disrespect to Burnley - I would have done this if we had been playing Arsenal at home or anybody at home. This was something I had in my mind as soon as the third round draw was made," Coppell said on his decision to rest several key players.

"We won't be remembered for whatever we do in the FA Cup this year. This club has been in the FA Cup for the last 136 years.

"They haven't been in the Premiership and that is our priority, I make no bones about that. The Premiership is our personal FA Cup final every week.

"Last season was all about promotion - this season is all about the Premiership.

"Other teams with bigger resources can concentrate on a couple of challenges but that is not for us.

"But it is not as though I'm throwing the game away - I want us to win on Saturday and go as far as we can in the competition."


Steve Cotterill

“I haven't been surprised by Reading this season because the one thing they were last season is a team. Steve Coppell has done an unbelievable job down there. Last week they had a 6-0 victory over West Ham and we are delighted they have got that one out of the way, I just hope they don't have another one around the corner.

“I wouldn't say the FA Cup is a welcome break. OK, we have had a tough time lately, but we are not far off and two wins would put us back into the top six. We have to be disappointed with that run and we are.”