SOMETHING SPECIAL ON ROYAL CARDS
Baggies beating is just the start
BRIAN MCDERMOTT has called for Reading fans to give him time to build something special after their win over West Brom put them into the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Darren Fletcher put West Brom ahead in the 54th minute, but the lead lasted just five minutes as former Albion defender Paul McShane nabbed an equaliser.
Chelsea loanee Michael Hector secured the much-deserved win for the Royals with his back-post header in the 71st minute and Lucas Piazon put the icing on the cake in injury time, firing home from close range, leaving Baggies fans so enraged that stalwart winger Chris Brunt was struck by a coin as he attempted to apologise to them after the final whistle.
Royals fans, in contrast, could not be happier and McDermott said: “We are trying to make something of the season and trying to build something here again. Something special.
“We’ve had a couple of years here where it has been difficult. Everybody wants everything today and sometimes it is not like that.
“I know this place pretty well and from my point of view it is a time thing. Give me some time, the staff some time and the players we have got here.”
The Royals boss was proud of his side after they came from behind to topple their Premier League opponents as they look to better last season’s semi-final exit.
“We deserved it,” he added. “They won at Everton last week and Tony Pulis has put out a really strong side, so it is a great result for us.” Hal Robson-Kanu caused problems for the Baggies defence all afternoon and produced the first goal threat of the day in the 23rd minute, but James Chester was able to clear his header.
McShane almost put the Royals ahead when the resulting corner fell to him on the edge of the box but his shot