Saturday 24 January 2015 19:37, UK
Reading manager Steve Clarke savoured the winning feeling at Cardiff after Reading came from behind for a 2-1 FA Cup win.
Clarke lost his job as West Brom manager in December 2013 after Albion had lost a Premier League game in Cardiff 1-0, but he admitted to enjoying a "better feeling" after substitute Hal Robson Kanu's 88th-minute strike crowned a fine second-half fightback from the Royals.
"I don't think when I get back to the training ground the chairman will be waiting for me," Clarke said after Reading booked their place in the last 16 of the FA Cup.
"It certainly feels a lot better tonight - but then I didn't think I'd get sacked last time!"
Clarke admits an extraordinary day in the FA Cup which saw the top three in the Premier League - Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton - as well as Tottenham depart at the fourth-round stage will leave the likes of Sky Bet Championship club Reading believing they can go a long way in the competition.
"Everyone will think it has opened up a little bit, especially with Man City and Chelsea going out," Clarke said.
"But you can't get carried away. I'll just look forward to the draw and see who we get.
"I was pleased with the second half because we let ourselves down badly in the first half.
"I tweaked the system at half-time and we played on the front foot.
"But the biggest change was the mentality of the players, and we deserved to win the game.
"Hal came on and he did what ask I my subs to do - he had an impact and I'm delighted he got the winning goal."
Cardiff manager Russell Slade said his side had been punished for what he described as "probably the worst 45 minutes since I've been at the club" after Kenwyne Jones' 12th goal of the season had given them a half-time lead.
Oliver Norwood equalised with his first Reading goal from a 20-yard free-kick after 64 minutes and the Royals were well on top before Robson-Kanu's winner.
"I would have probably walked out myself if I'd been in the crowd for the second period," Slade said. "It was dire.
"There's going to be ups and downs, but it's a bad day for us and it looks as if we've taken a step in the wrong direction.
"I take all the responsibility for the players performing at that level. We were devoid of ideas and energy and it's probably the worst 45 minutes since I've been here.
"We didn't defend that free-kick that got them back into the game and we didn't do anything to affect that ball coming into that box for the winner.
"They had one player in the box and we had six players back there, including the goalkeeper, but we have not dealt with it.
"I'm really disappointed with the second-half performance because they put us on the back foot in the first 15 minutes and we found it difficult to string two passes together in that period."
