Source: Team_Talk
Coppell wants Royals to stay strong
DJ Campbell's second-half equaliser edged spirited Blackpool a step closer to safety and all but ended Reading's hopes of winning automatic promotion from the Championship.[LNB]The Royals stormed 2-0 ahead after 24 minutes through goals from Noel Hunt and Jem Karacan but the Seasiders launched an impressive fightback.[LNB]Keith Southern pulled a goal back after 31 minutes and Campbell completed the comeback with a clinical finish in the 66th minute.[LNB]Coppell said: "We need to be mentally strong. We are making too many mistakes and this draw in reality feels a lot like a defeat when you consider we were looking comfortable at 2-0 up.[LNB]"For two thirds of this season we have looked one of the strongest sides in the Championship and with four games to go we must get strong again."[LNB]Reading took the lead in the 10th minute when Stephen Hunt's inswinging corner from the right flank picked out his brother Noel, who planted a firm header past Paul Rachubka.[LNB]Karacan doubled their advantage when he slotted home the rebound after Rachubka had saved Noel Hunt's header.[LNB]But Reading saw the three points slip from their grasp as first Southern rifled home a low right-foot shot from on-loan Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam's cross in the 31st minute and then Campbell finished well with 24 minutes remaining.[LNB]The point means the Seasiders are now five point above the drop zone with just three games to play, but manager Tony Parkes believes there is still work to do to avoid survival.[LNB]He said: "We are enjoying a good little run and have only lost one in seven games but two teams below us won today and that keeps on the pressure.[LNB]"We were slow out of the blocks today and Reading are a strong side who have aspirations for the Premiership and hit us with two early goals.[LNB]"It took some character to come back and we scored just at the right time before the break. That was a vital goal and lifted us for the second half."[LNB]Southern also saluted his team's spirit to come from two goals down, saying: "When we went two behind you felt it could have been three, four or five but we showed what sort of character we've got to come back like that.[LNB]"This club is doing magnificently. We have the lowest gates and stringent finances but we are still a Championship side."[LNB][LNB]
