Source: Team_Talk
Royals boss bemoans fixture list
Leaders Wolves and second-placed Birmingham meet on Monday night
but the Royals could not take advantage and remain three place behind Blues, albeit with a game on hand.
Coppell bemoaned his side's luck which has seen them have to travel to away games following international matches but was glad they had avoided defeat at the Ricoh Arena where both the top two have been beaten this season.
Coppell said: "I think over the course of the last two years there have probably been 10 or 11 international breaks and on nine or 10 of those we have then been away from home.
"It doesn't sound as though that should make a difference but when you have players travelling all over the world it does.
"For us to get something out of this game psychologically was very important because I know Wolves and Birmingham have come here and have been beaten so that's a plus for us."
Both teams failed to shine during a dismal first-half which saw few clear-cut chances.
Clinton Morrison provided brief excitement as he latched on to Jordan Henderson's pass just inside the box but the shot flew wide of the right-hand post.
With top-scorer Kevin Doyle rested - and Stephen and Noel Hunt on the bench - following international duty, Reading's front pairing of Shane Long and Dave Kitson toiled up front but failed to make a break through.
The best chance of the half fell to Leon Best in stoppage time. He found himself one on one with Marcus Hahnemann after some clever footwork from Henderson but the big American goalkeeper made the most of his considerable frame to gather the ball from Best's feet.
The second-half got off to a fiery start, with five bookings in the first nine minutes, as referee Trevor Kettle threatened to lose control of the match.
Again there was little in the way of chances but former Sky Blues star Jay Tabb had Reading's best effort after unleashing a powerful 25-yard drive just wide of the top left-hand corner from the edge of the area.
Frenchman Guillaume Beuzelin should have scored for Coventry on 80 minutes after Morrison pulled the ball back to him on the penalty spot but the midfielder dragged his effort horribly wide.
Coventry manager Chris Coleman said: "If you are going to be serious about getting out of this league you have to look at the teams that are at the top and say that is where we need to get to.
"Of course we wanted to win the game today if possible, but it was a hard game.
"I think both teams worked hard but it was good for us not to lose to one of the top three and get another clean sheet and I thought for long periods we did very well against Reading."
Speaking of the flurry of yellow cards after half-time he added: "A lot of the decisions I just didn't understand to be honest, it wasn't a dirty game.
"I have to be careful what I say because it has cost me a fortune this season after my comments on certain aspects of refereeing but that wasn't a dirty game."
