IT WAS the blueprint that Phil Parkinson followed through an 11-year association with Reading.

And a former Royals team-mate recognises the same approach in his Valley Parade management.

Parkinson is revered by the Berkshire club in the same way that Stuart McCall is loved by every City fan.

For many supporters growing up, Parkinson was “Mr Reading” as he played over 400 games and earned his place in the club’s hall of fame.

“Parky showed that there are no half-measures, there’s no shortcut to success,” said Linvoy Primus, who played in the same team for three of those years.

“He played with a desire that the fans were really drawn to. He had the right character.

“When I was there, we had a difficult couple of years with relegation and trying to re-establish ourselves again.

“But Parky summed up the spirit of what Reading had during the good times and you knew with that sort of attitude that they would return.

“He was always a mainstay in every team with every manager. They all knew and appreciated what he was about.

“You can see those same qualities now. He has taken them into his time in management and Bradford reflect that.

“Sometimes you can ask players at the end of their careers if they’ve any regrets. Some will say they wish they’d done this and that.

“But Parky played with his heart on his sleeve. It was all out there – he left nothing in the dressing room.

“Every player will say they gave it their all week in, week out but that’s not always the case. But if they are being truly honest with themselves, they’ll know that wasn’t always the case.

“But with Parky what you saw is what you got. He had that mental strength whatever the situation to give his all – and that’s something you can see in his management.”

Primus made 113 appearances for Reading before going on to enjoy a successful spell with Portsmouth in the Premier League. But Parkinson remains one of his most inspirational team-mates.

“He was a very good leader on the pitch,” said the former defender. “He knew how to speak to people and get the best out of them, whether it was to encourage them or pull them into line.

“That’s a quality that you need as a manager and that’s why I’m not surprised that he is doing so well.

“Parky had a bit of a bumpy ride with Hull and Charlton but his strong character got him through that and has made him a success again.

“He’ll have told his players that they’ve got nothing to lose with every round of the FA Cup. It’s quite easy to think that but convincing yourself is another thing.

“But when a team have achieved it once, twice, three times then suddenly that belief is there. You can see that with Bradford.

“It was incredible a couple of years ago when he got them to the League Cup final. To relay that again to another group of players this season shows the strength of the manager.

“Those guys in the position to play under him now will learn so much. Even if they don’t stay at the club and go elsewhere, they will always remember what it takes to create those great memories.

“If you want to be up there, then have no regrets. There are no half measures.”

Primus is struggling to pick a winner from tomorrow’s lunchtime showdown but he has warned Reading to be wary of City’s fast start. Sunderland never got out the blocks before they found themselves one down and he reckons the Championship side must brace themselves for another whirlwind opening.

“If I was in Reading’s shoes as a player, you’d know their capabilities after what they did to Sunderland and Chelsea. They can’t go into the game thinking that if we turn it on after half an hour then we’ve got a good chance. You have to be on it from the first minute.

“Both teams will have been very pleased with the draw. In some quarters you would want a bigger team like a Man United or Liverpool but when you are so close to Wembley it’s just about having the best chance of getting through.

“Personally I think Bradford will feel a bit more confident because of what they have done already.

“For Reading to win, every player has to be up for it play their best game and hope that the extra quality is enough. If Bradford go in again with that “nothing-to-lose” attitude then it’s going to be a very good game.

“My opinion is that whoever can take the game by the scruff of the neck from the first minute and say ‘this is our stage’ will go through.”

Primus proudly possesses an FA Cup-winning medal from his Portsmouth days, although he missed their 2008 victory over Cardiff with a knee injury.

He said: “When Pompey got to the final we had only one Premier League team all the way through – although it was Man United at Old Trafford.

“It was nice from that point of view but sometimes it’s better to be in the team that were never favourites to go through. You haven’t got that pressure or expectation to deal with.

“But what Bradford have done this year gives hope to every team in the lower divisions.

“They say the underdogs never have a chance but the reality is very different as they have shown already. What they have proved is that whoever’s hearts and minds are on it can win that game.”

But there will be one very familiar face in the Reading ranks – Primus’ former Fratton Park team-mate Yakubu. He joined the Royals on transfer deadline day in January and came off the bench to score the winner in the last round at Derby.

“Reading signing Yakubu was more like a Harry Redknapp moment,” laughed Primus. “But I’m really pleased that he is back in the UK again and scoring.

“I was privileged enough to see him building up to his better days. He’s a very humble character but a good goalscorer.

“There are times when he is accused of not working as hard as everyone else. But he scores significant goals at significant moments.

“He is an instinctive goalscorer. If he hasn’t got time to think about it and just has to hit the target, he will do that and Bradford will have to be careful if he plays.”