Post match reaction to Royals v Pompey

Last updated : 21 March 2007 By Angus Muller

Manager Steve Coppell maintains Europe is not on Reading's "radar".

The Royals and opponents Portsmouth remain in the tussle for a place in the UEFA Cup next season after a goalless draw at Madejski Stadium.

Seventh place could be good enough to qualify depending on the outcome of the FA Cup final.

Coppell, though, insists it is something he and the squad are not making their sole focus.

The Reading boss said: "We are not equipped for Europe and it is really not on our radar at the moment at all.

"The only way we exist is by trying to win the next game. That is our mentality.

"We do not set targets about where we want to be and what we want to do.

"All we are about is winning the next game."

The Royals boss is also wary of how a UEFA Cup campaign has in fact been detrimental to other clubs in the past, such as Ipswich and, to an extent this season, West Ham.

Coppell added: "Europe is too heavy a load for us at this stage in our development. Whether we do develop, only time will tell.

"Certainly at the moment, it would not be good for us - as [former Ipswich manager] George Burley told me last week."

Reading have, nevertheless, already surpassed all expectations on what has been a remarkable first season in the top flight.

The home side promised much but were unable to find a finishing touch after spells of dominance.

Portsmouth would have taken all three points but for the width of a post when midfielder Richard Hughes struck the upright with nine minutes left.

"If that had gone it, it would have been a travesty, but such is football," said Coppell.

"From an effort and work-rate point of view, I thought our performance was good.

"They came to do a job and did that well. We found it difficult to break them down at times."

Portsmouth have seen their own form falter following what was a brilliant start to the campaign, winning only one of the last nine Barclays Premiership outings.

Today's battling goalless draw halted a run of two straight defeats.

Manager Harry Redknapp said: "With a bit more quality on our final ball, we could have killed them off in the second half.

"It is not an easy place to come, so I was pleased with our approach on the back of a poor away game last time."

For the Pompey boss, qualification for Europe remains very much a positive target.

However, Redknapp knows all too well those outside the top four have to be grateful for any scraps.

Redknapp said: "I would like it - but it may well be out of our radar too.

"If you look at the league, Bolton, who are fifth, have gone to Old Trafford and been smashed to pieces.

"The top four are just on another planet. There is such a gulf. The gap is enormous. For the rest of us, on any given day, anything can happen."

Redknapp added: "I would always have a go at anything - and would love the opportunity to play in Europe with Portsmouth, if we could do it.

"We have tried to keep at it but have had some tough games.

"We want to finish as high as we can, the players have not taken their foot off the pedal - it is just that Premiership matches are so hard to win."