Westley looks ahead to FA Cup tie with Reading

BORO boss Graham Westley wants his side to go out and play on the front foot when they entertain Reading tomorrow (Saturday).

Boro go into the game having won four of their last five matches, and in two of those games – the 4-2 win over Barnet and the 2-0 victory against Morecambe – they scored twice within the first 10 minutes.

Another quick start this time around would give them a good opportunity to beat Championship side Reading as they aim to reach the FA Cup Fifth Round for the first time in the club’s history.

“Our thoughts turn to ourselves and the way in which we’re going to play to win,” Westley said.

“These boys are very much focused on their own physical condition and mentality going into the game.

“We go into games looking to play on the front foot and this is not a nice place to come and everyone who comes here says it and a big part of that is the environment and the pitch but the biggest part by far is the attitude of the players as they’re a hungry bunch.

“We love playing in front of our own fans – every team does. The fans have learned to appreciate the players and what they need when they need it and they respect the efforts they give and the boys know they are loved around this place.

“And if you’re in that home environment there’s no question that psychologically it affects you in a positive way and we enjoy playing here.

“We always look at opponents from the point of view of not getting any surprises. We want to know who we’re playing against and we want to know their strengths and more importantly their weaknesses.

“You want to know where players are fallible and our top goalscorer this season is own goal and the pressure we put on players and the weaknesses we look to exploit I’m sure have something to do with that.

“I think the players are enjoying the confidence they’ve gained from proving to themselves just how good they are and any team with confidence becomes more dangerous.

“They are a dangerous bunch to play against, there’s no doubt about, and we always enjoy our football and we work very hard at this place.”