Reading miss out on Europe

Last updated : 15 May 2007 By Angus Muller
The 3 - 3 draw at Blackburn meant the Royals ended the season in 8th place, one place and 1 point away from a Uefa Cup spot.

Even so it's been an incredible debut in the Premiership for Steve Coppell's team.

"We have been progressive in our play and go forward. We haven't drawn many games because we do risk defeat to win," said the boss.

"Sometimes you have to take a good beating but by and large the teams we thought we could compete against we have done so."

Coppell now admits he would have liked to have taken Reading into Europe.

"You have to realise the public face about me on Europe was not perhaps what was going on behind closed doors.

"I felt it was better than stating we were desperate to play in Europe and it was the Holy Grail.

"As an achievement marker it would have been tremendous to get into the UEFA Cup."