Oh no – not you again!
The response to the FA Cup third-round draw from both Huddersfield Town and Reading fans was lukewarm after their sides were pitched against each other for the second season running.
But the impact made by David Wagner in West Yorkshire and the return of Brian McDermott to Berkshire has breathed some life into the meeting.
Town have done their bit by offering admission for a tenner.
And hopefully both the result and attendance will be better than last season, when 7,980 saw Reading win 1-0.
At least Nick Blackman won’t be able to end Town’s FA Cup interest at the first hurdle for the second time in 12 months.
The former Sheffield United striker, whose 69th-minute goal settled last season’s tie, has joined Derby County for £2.5m.
The move means McDermott has lost his 13-goal top scorer, and there is talk of young Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi arriving as a replacement.
Even without Blackman, Reading have dangermen in Matej Vydra, the Czech Republic international on loan from Watford, and Portuguese striker Orlando Sa.
And Town, who have lost their last four home cup-ties, know all about old boy Oliver Norwood’s liking for free-kicks.
He put quite a few away in his days in blue and white stripes rather than hoops, and struck in similar style the 2-2 Championship draw between Reading and Town at the Madejski Stadium in November.
FA Cup: Huddersfield v Reading
Town have been too susceptible from set-pieces this season.
But there have been more positives than negatives during Wagner’s tenure to date.
And Town go into the German’s first FA Cup tie targeting three home wins on the trot for the first time since 2011-12.
It’s the first of three home games running, with Charlton Athletic (Tuesday) and Fulham (next Saturday) visiting in crucial league games.
Town, in 18th, took seven points from nine over the festive period, and beating 12th-placed Reading would maintain the feelgood factor.
McDermott’s side arrive on the back of a 1-0 home win over Bristol City, but lost to Brentford and Wolves before that.
Hopefully Town can condemn them to a third defeat in four – without the need for a replay – and register a first win in the fourth knockout meeting between the pair (two in the FA Cup, one in he League Cup).
