Manager's reaction after Reading draw at Spurs in FA Cup

Last updated : 08 January 2008 By Angus Muller

"I've got 20-odd pros that I consider part of the first-team squad," he said.

"At any one time I could be called upon to use them - and every team in the Premier League uses more than 20 players in a season.

"I need to know that they are up to speed and ready to go. They showed that today.

"We got some lucky breaks but when we got a handle on the way we were playing, we made it difficult for them. It was never going to be easy for them.

"I thought we'd get a chance to snatch it and we got some good crosses in.

"But they are good players and for us to come back, they showed me in the best possible way - not through articles in the newspapers - that they have a commitment and want to play a full part in the season."

Would Coppell follow the same policy if the Rotals make the later stages of the competition?

"Yes I would, 100%," he confirmed.

"In many ways you don't want another game but you are not going to be physically tested with the workload - it is well within us.

"An extra game is no big deal for us. We'll have to have a different game plan at home, we'll have to take the game to them more."

Spurs boss Juande Ramos felt his team had done enough to win.

"Obviously we had very clear chances to win the game, especially in the first half, and we've come away with a draw," reflected Juande. "I don't think a draw was a fair result because we've done enough to win this game."