Reading FC

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Coppell regrets cup exit

16 Jan 2008 - 09:04:16

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Reading manager Steve Coppell was disappointed to see his side miss out on an FA Cup fourth round trip to Manchester United, after they were beaten 1-0 at home by Spurs.

An early Robbie Keane goal put paid to the Royals at the Madejski Stadium, with Coppell choosing to rest a number of first-team regulars for the third round replay.

He said afterwards: "We had a gameplan to keep it tight in the first half and then switch to a 4-4-2 system in the second half.

"We were 1-0 down at half-time, but I felt we were capable of scoring goals, we had opportunities and upset their rhythm in the second half.

"It was never our intention to have the cop out of 'now we can concentrate on the league'. We wanted to go through.

"The prospect of playing Manchester United away is daunting, but is a privilege. It's exciting and makes the hairs on the back on your neck tingle.

"The magic of the cup is still alive. You can get an awful lot of satisfaction and self-esteem, ask any of the clubs who win against the odds.

"Who cares if they are not going to win the competition, they have a fabulous day where they went against higher-division opposition."