{"id":298154,"date":"2023-12-02T11:08:51","date_gmt":"2023-12-02T11:08:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/?p=298154"},"modified":"2023-12-02T11:08:51","modified_gmt":"2023-12-02T11:08:51","slug":"i-left-newcastle-just-before-saudi-takeover-now-i-want-to-cause-fa-cup-upset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/soccer\/i-left-newcastle-just-before-saudi-takeover-now-i-want-to-cause-fa-cup-upset\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I left Newcastle just before Saudi takeover \u2013 now I want to cause FA Cup upset’"},"content":{"rendered":"
Non-league giant Ludwig Francillette is looking to heap more misery on beleaguered Reading and set up a potential reunion with former club Newcastle.<\/p>\n
The 6ft3in defender from Guadeloupe spent a couple of years on Tyneside before being released shortly before the Saudi-led takeover, which has transformed the Magpies into Premier League big-hitters. Despite being limited to appearances in the EFL Trophy and the club\u2019s under-23 side, he remains fond of the club and the area. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe fans were great, they were good people and they made me feel welcome in the city,\u201d the Eastleigh defender told Daily Star Sport<\/b> ahead of Sunday\u2019s FA Cup second round tie with Reading. <\/p>\n
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\u201cThey love their football and they know about all the teams, the under-23s, the youth team. It was a good experience. I\u2019ve got a lot of mates from Newcastle who are now playing at League One, League Two, some still at the club. I\u2019m still following the club. It [the takeover] is a good thing for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eastleigh will be looking to join Newcastle in the third round draw by downing Reading, who sit second-bottom of League One having been docked points due to their financial crisis. Francillette, 24, scored twice as Eastleigh battered fellow National League side Boreham Wood in the first round.<\/p>\n
Where will the upsets come in the FA Cup second round this weekend? Tell us in the comments section below<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
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\u201cI scored two, yeah,\u201d he chuckled. \u201cThat was maybe the FA Cup adrenalin. I just found myself in good positions.\u201d<\/p>\n
An ambitious non-league club against a struggling EFL side has all the ingredients for a shock, with the tie being selected by ITV for live coverage. On what the viewers can expect from the Spitfires, Francillette explained: \u201cWe try to play football. We\u2019re a hardworking team that really competes.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe\u2019re all professionals, the fact it\u2019s on TV and there will be a big crowd is just a plus, it\u2019s not going to make us play any different. We\u2019re going into the game really confident.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following his time at Newcastle and then a stint in the EFL with Crawley before joining Eastleigh, Francillette sees his future firmly in English football.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI just like it here [in England] and would be happy to stay,\u201d he said. \u201cI like the spirit of English football, the fans, the atmosphere, it\u2019s really good.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like in England that football is a passion for everyone. It makes for a good game in every division.\u201d<\/p>\n