Coppell demands clean sheets

Reading boss Steve Coppell has called on his relegation threatened under-fire Royals side to get more clean sheets if they are to retain their Premiership top flight status. Their last clean sheet was the 7th October against Derby.

"We want some cleans sheets, full stop," Coppell told Reading's official website.

"We've strived for that for some time because you need it in this division. That's our goal and we need to get better at it.

"Having been in this position before, you just have to work harder, play better. You can have crisis meetings and do what you like, but it just boils down to work harder, play better.

"Last year was a dream season. We took advantage when others didn't do so well. We were solid, we were stable and we gained confidence when we were doing alright.

"This season has been what a lot of people expected last season to be. We're fighting, we're up for the challenge. It's nothing to be frightened of.

"We had really healthy spells on Saturday, we were capable of getting a result. We've got to pick points at home and do better away, that's obvious.

"We've got to improve and we've got a collective will to do that."