Proud Coppell hails Royals
28 Feb 2007 - 08:23:59
Reading manager Steve Coppell hailed his side's character and determination as they bounced back from conceding three goals in the opening six minutes to almost force extra time in their FA Cup fifth round replay against Manchester United.
Early goals by Gabriel Heinze, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appeared to have killed off the game as a contest, but the Royals refused to accept defeat.
Goals from Dave Kitson and Leroy Lita brought Coppell's side back into the game and Brynjar Gunnarsson cracked a shot against the crossbar in the dying seconds.
"It's not often you say there can be honour in defeat but that's the position we're in tonight," said Coppell.
"I have to compliment my players. They are all warriors.
"They didn't lay down and die, they got back up again and fought, which is one of the best qualities to have.
"I've never been three goals down so quickly before. We have no excuses. It was a really sloppy start.
"I did say before the game we couldn't lose. When I looked at the scoreline at that stage I thought 'we're not going to lose, we're going to get absolutely hammered'.
"It was madness but there was no way we were going to throw away all we've done in the past two seasons in the three minutes and 20 seconds it took them to score those three goals.
"I questioned my line-up because I eventually settled on a formation we were not comfortable with. It was probably a mistake because we are better suited to 4-4-2.
"You have to imagine how the players were feeling. All their friends and family were here. It was such a big night and to have recovered from the start we had in the way we did was terrific."