Andy Taylor: Walsall up for another cup shock

The Saddlers take on a Royals side back under the guidance of Brian McDermott – the manager who took them to the Premier League in 2012.

At stake is a place in the FA Cup fifth round, something Walsall haven't achieved since back in the 2002-03 campaign.

But they have already beaten Championship sides Nottingham Forest and Brighton this season in the Capital One Cup.

Dean Smith's Brentford were accounted for in the last round of this competition, with Taylor insisting the Saddlers will arrive at the Madejski Stadium tomorrow full of confidence.

He said: "Having already beaten three Championship sides, it does give you a boost as a squad. We've proved that we can more than match Championship teams – so we'll go there with no fear.

"We're on a good run of form ourselves, so confidence is high. Reading are a good team with good Championship players and they'll still have ambitions of getting into the play-offs.

"It'll be a good test for us but we'll go there, enjoy the game and hopefully get the win to get into the next round."

Walsall enter the tie having seen their League One clash with Fleetwood postponed on Tuesday night.

But, while frustrated that fixture didn't go ahead, Taylor feels the Saddlers can use it to their advantage.

He said: "As a player you want to play games so it was frustrating Fleetwood was called off – especially when you've travelled there and you're ready to play.

"But it's something as players that is completely beyond our control. You can't really worry about it and you just have to get on with it.

"With anything that crops up throughout the season, you've got to try to create a positive from it. We've managed to get extra time on the training pitch and look at shape.

"When you've got so many games, you're very rarely on the training pitch where you can work on things, so every free week is an opportunity to work on different things.

"With a new manager coming in, he's got a couple of new ideas and you need to be physically on the pitch to work on those things.

"We're going to use it as a positive and hopefully when we do eventually play Fleetwood we'll get the three points."

Taylor admits the postponement means all the Walsall players are now desperate for the game.

He added: "We're all itching to play. We got a good win against Brentford in the last round, so roll on Saturday!"