Royals boss refusing to panic

08 February 2009 10:32
Coppell's side became the highest scoring team in Britain on January 9 when Watford were thrashed 4-0 but since then they have scored just once in three games - and that was scored for them by Wolves defender Neill Collins.[LNB]Coppell was adamant his side, who remain second in the Championship, would ride out the barren spell and continue to push for promotion.[LNB]He said: "Our home form has been such that teams are not having a go at us, which wasn't the case earlier in the season.[LNB]"Now we have just got to adjust and see what we can do about it. The top teams are always the targets.[LNB]"We needed more precision in our finishing when we got opportunities and better deliveries from the wide areas but all in all I am OK with it. We were the team looking to go forward and to have a go.[LNB]"There are always going to be highs and lows. It's a 46-game season not 31."[LNB]Preston manager Alan Irvine admitted his side had come for a point.[LNB]He said: "We knew we would have to defend well as Reading have the best home record in the country let alone the division. The lads deserve a lot of credit.[LNB]"It's a fantastic point for us, there's no question about that. I felt we could get something here but only if we were at our best. Today the lads did their jobs."[LNB]Chances were few for both sides but the clearest was Preston's when striker Jon Parkin blasted over with the goal at his mercy after substitute Chris Brown had set him up 10 minutes from time.[LNB]Irvine said: "He was very disappointed. He apologised straight after to the lads. But strikers miss chances. We have to accept that and move on."[LNB]Reading forced only the occasional save from North End goalkeeper Andy Lonergan but might have been awarded a penalty five minutes before half-time when a Jimmy Kebe shot hit a post and then the arm of defender Youl Mawene on the line.[LNB]Referee Michael Jones allowed play to continue and neither manager made a fuss about it afterwards.[LNB]Coppell said: "I would have to see it again but from the stands it didn't jump out at me. The players weren't talking about it either."[LNB]Irvine added: "I didn't think for a moment it was going to be a penalty. I never looked at the referee, which is the normal instinct if you do feel something might happen."[LNB]The point consolidated Preston's hopes of remaining in the play-off positions by the end of the season and was not a disaster for Reading either as leaders Wolves lost at Coventry and third-placed Birmingham were also held at home, by Burnley.[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk