Peter Reid will be cheering on three of his former clubs in this weekend’s Sixth Round – but the 1984 FA Cup winner is in no doubt on who he wants to see lift the famous trophy in May.
Ex-England midfielder Reid was a part of the Everton side that defeated Watford 2-0 in The Final at Wembley 30 years ago and he would love nothing more than to see the Toffees repeat that feat this year.
Winning The Cup saw Reid realise a “boyhood dream” and he is confident that the current squad assembled by Roberto Martinez has more than enough to overcome Arsenal on Saturday and go all the way in the competition.
Peter Reid wants Everton to win The FA Cup
Casting his mind back to that triumph in ‘84, Reid said: “It was the first trophy that we’d won at Everton and it was a massive thing for us to get that one.
“It was a boyhood dream to play in The FA Cup Final and win it. For me, it is still a fantastic competition.
“Everyone remembers games such as Wigan’s Final last year and my old club Sunderland defeating Leeds in the seventies. The FA Cup has that magic. I still believe that it is the most recognised cup in the world.”
And Reid believes that the ‘Magic of The Cup’ will shine on Everton this weekend.
“David Moyes did a great job in his ten years at Goodison Park and Roberto is doing a fantastic job,” he said. “The players he has brought in, such as Lukaku and Barry, have done well and they play some really good football.
“With Lukaku back fit up front, and knowing they have a goalscorer, there’s no reason why they can’t go through.”
“I’d take Everton to beat City in The Final and Sunderland to stay up – that would be perfect.”
Peter Reid
He continued: “I was at the Emirates when Everton drew with Arsenal earlier in the season and I’m quite optimistic about their chances.
“Obviously Arsenal have some really good players and a fantastic manager, but there is an optimism among Evertonians that we can go there and get a result.”
Reid enjoyed an illustrious playing career for the Blues, Bolton Wanderers, QPR, Southampton and Manchester City before enjoying a successful spell as boss at Sunderland, guiding the north-east outfit to promotion to the Premier League in 1996.
And Reid, who also won 13 caps for the Three Lions, will be rooting for two of his other old clubs this weekend and believes both will progress.
On Manchester City’s home tie with holders Wigan Athletic, Reid said: “I was at Wembley when Manchester City beat Sunderland last weekend and they have world-class players that can change any game.
“The goals by Yaya Toure and Samri Nasri were unbelievable and even though Wigan beat them in May, City will have too much for them this weekend.”
Sunderland travel to Hull City on Sunday afternoon, and Reid added: “It is a massive game for them.
“They shouldn’t be professional footballers if they need lifting for an FA Cup quarter-final.”
Peter Reid
“I’m a believer that cup runs are good for the players and there is nothing wrong with building momentum through them.
“Obviously they are in the bottom three of the Premier League and they’ll want to stay up, but they’ll be looking to get back to Wembley.
“If they can then that will install confidence back in to the whole of the football club.
“Steve Bruce has done a great job at Hull City, but if you are in that Sunderland dressing-room you’ll be saying, ‘Listen lads, we get a result here and we are back at Wembley for the Semi-Final,’ and I think that will be a massive incentive.
“They shouldn’t be professional footballers if they need lifting for an FA Cup quarter-final – do me a favour.”
And with all three clubs close to his heart, Reid already knows what his ideal scenario would be come May.
Reid poses for a picture with a youngster and The Cup at the Beko event
“Hand on heart I would love Everton to win it, but Manchester City have got to be the favourites. I’d take Everton to beat City in The Final and Sunderland to stay up – that would be perfect.”
Peter Reid was speaking at Curry's PC World in Aintree on Thursday where he was promoting the Beko Keepy-Uppy Challenge. Anybody can enter by going to www.beko.co.uk/keepyuppy and uploading a video which showcases your skills.
Prizes include FA Cup final tickets and Beko appliances.
