Coppell to bolster FA Cup line-up

rotherwick_royal · by **rotherwick_royal** » 10 Jan 2007 12:46

From BBC...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 247459.stm

Reading boss Steve Coppell could strengthen his line-up for the next round of the FA Cup after squeezing past Burnley 3-2 in the third round.

Coppell saw his side comprising many fringe-team players go 3-0 up before they were almost taken to an FA Cup replay by their Championship opponents.

"If we analyse some of the defending then we will spend a bit of time in the classroom," Coppell said.

"I'll probably have more strength in there (for the fourth-round tie)."

Squeezing past Burnley is pushing it a bit seeing as we were 3-1 up until the last couple of minutes. Maybe SC is going to start taking the cup more seriously?

anR · by **anR** » 10 Jan 2007 12:52

It's a good sign. A more experienced back line would not have conceeded those two late goals.

T.R.O.L.I. · by **T.R.O.L.I.** » 10 Jan 2007 12:55

Either that or its a sign that he's after some decent defensive cover in the transfer window and he's closing in on them.

Fat Leather Jacket · by **Fat Leather Jacket** » 10 Jan 2007 12:55

anR wrote:It's a good sign. A more experienced back line would not have conceeded those two late goals.

And on the evidence of last night it would really be the only thing we would need to change to have a successful cup run.

G'La · by **G'La** » 10 Jan 2007 12:58

I think its fair to say that Steve is playing it safe. Our priority this season is to stay in the Premier League but a decent cup run wouldnt go a miss.

Maybe after the 4th round if/when we are/near mathamatically safe from relegation we can introduce most if not all of our first team squad and give the cup a real go.

readingbedding · by **readingbedding** » 10 Jan 2007 13:06

G'La wrote:I think its fair to say that Steve is playing it safe. Our priority this season is to stay in the Premier League but a decent cup run wouldnt go a miss.

Maybe after the 4th round if/when we are/near mathamatically safe from relegation we can introduce most if not all of our first team squad and give the cup a real go.

Possibly, but if we manage to beat Birmingham/Newcastle away he could also say that he has found the right mix and he will stick by them in the next round.

I cannot see our 1st XI in the Prem matching our XI in the FA Cup player for player.

londinium · by **londinium** » 10 Jan 2007 13:25

Yet again it is tough one to call.. If we are not doing well in the league then the 'reserve side' will likely be the one to be fielded. - Some would say that if we are doing bad in the league then a full strength team should be played in the cup as a victory would be a massive boost.

The biggest dilema comes if we are doing well.

So we win our next couple of games and are on a real roll with the others around us losing. Some would then say play the best team we can as we would surely be safe in the league. Some would then say why not rest the first team as European qualification could be a possibility.

Two thing I can gaurantee:

1) Whatever happens we will have people moaning - that I can gaurantee!!

2) Steve Coppell will make the right decision - yet again, as he always does.

Ian Royal · by **Ian Royal** » 10 Jan 2007 15:23

Coppell has gone on record saying the reserve side would be the one that played in the final should we make it. Now I'm not sure I believe that, but it'll be a long way into the cup before we see a team made up of mostly first team regulars.

Royalee · by **Royalee** » 10 Jan 2007 15:35

Funny, I thought people were telling me that he'd play our reserves if we got further in the competition in the last couple of days.

Gordons Cumming · by **Gordons Cumming** » 10 Jan 2007 15:41

If we beat Brum/Newcastle I'll eat my hat.

It would be the first time we've reached that stage since the 30's I think.

71 years to be precise............... 1935.................0-1 versus Arsenal at Elm Park.

Unless someone proves me wrong.

Gordons Cumming · by **Gordons Cumming** » 10 Jan 2007 15:44

londinium wrote:
2) Steve Coppell will make the right decision - yet again, as he always does.

Signing Keown and Ferdinand?

Stranded · by **Stranded** » 10 Jan 2007 15:46

Gordons Cumming wrote:If we beat Brum/Newcastle I'll eat my hat.

It would be the first time we've reached that stage since the 30's I think.

71 years to be precise............... 1935.................0-1 versus Arsenal at Elm Park.

Unless someone proves me wrong.

Didn't we get to the fifth round in the mid 90s. Lee Sandford scored the winner for Sheff Utd.

SpaceCruiser · by **SpaceCruiser** » 10 Jan 2007 15:47

Stranded wrote:
Gordons Cumming wrote:If we beat Brum/Newcastle I'll eat my hat.

It would be the first time we've reached that stage since the 30's I think.

71 years to be precise............... 1935.................0-1 versus Arsenal at Elm Park.

Unless someone proves me wrong.
Didn't we get to the fifth round in the mid 90s. Lee Sandford scored the winner for Sheff Utd.

I think you would be right. 1998, when Terry Bullivant was in charge.

Gordons Cumming · by **Gordons Cumming** » 10 Jan 2007 15:49

Oh yeah

Ian Royal · by **Ian Royal** » 10 Jan 2007 15:59

See, Bullivant wasn't as bad as Burns afterall!

Coppelled Streets · by **Coppelled Streets** » 10 Jan 2007 16:00

rotherwick_royal wrote:From BBC...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 247459.stm

Reading boss Steve Coppell could strengthen his line-up for the next round of the FA Cup after squeezing past Burnley 3-2 in the third round.

Coppell saw his side comprising many fringe-team players go 3-0 up before they were almost taken to an FA Cup replay by their Championship opponents.

"If we analyse some of the defending then we will spend a bit of time in the classroom," Coppell said.

"I'll probably have more strength in there (for the fourth-round tie)."

Squeezing past Burnley is pushing it a bit seeing as we were 3-1 up until the last couple of minutes. Maybe SC is going to start taking the cup more seriously?

Coppell does take the cup seriously, he just has priorities and if he didn't, I'm sure there would be many telling him what they should be!

Forbury Lion · by **Forbury Lion** » 10 Jan 2007 19:24

Gordons Cumming wrote:
londinium wrote:
2) Steve Coppell will make the right decision - yet again, as he always does.
Signing Keown and Ferdinand?

He also let them go, which proves he learns from his mistakes!

zac naloen · by **zac naloen** » 11 Jan 2007 10:26

Gordons Cumming wrote:
londinium wrote:
2) Steve Coppell will make the right decision - yet again, as he always does.
Signing Keown and Ferdinand?

They may not have done a lot on the pitch, but they must have done a lot off of it. Their signing that season coincided with an improvement in the quality of certain players in key areas.. those being defense and attack.