Published: Thursday, 3rd July, 2008 10:00
Can Reading handle the pressure?
By Anthony Smith
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Cool customers: Steve Copopell insists his side can cope with the pressures of being among the promotion favourites this season.
STEVE Coppell insists Reading can cope with the pressures of being among the hot favourites to win promotion back the Premier League at the very first attempt.
Royals are second pick behind Birmingham City to made an immediate return to the top-flight.
Their opening day opponents, Nottingham Forest, are third favourites while Derby County, Wolves, Charlton, Crystal Palace, Sheffield United and Watford are also likely to challenge.
But as one of the biggest scalps in the Championship Royals’ opponents are certain to raise their game against a side who were relegated on goal difference.
Coppell said: “We’re a target now because we were a Premier League team until recently.
“Other clubs will judge themselves against us and we’ve got to guard against that, certainly in the first quarter of the season.
“It’s the same for all the relegated teams. The opposition will be making the extra effort to shown they’re capable of matching us or beating us. We are very aware of that.
“But I believe we have a strong squad and you have to be optimistic. Saying that it’s only natural that every club is optimistic at this stage.”
And he added: “I’m eager to see what players are in the right frame of mind and hungry for success.
“If we manage to bring that hunger to the table, then we won’t be far off.
“My thoughts about the team will be formed by the attitude of the players over the first few weeks of pre-season.
“You can tell straight away those with an agenda to achieve things and those who are not too keen and probably want to leave.
“It’s inevitable that will happen and it’s my job to work through that so that we’re 100% ready for the start of the season.”
A number of players look certain to leave in big-money moves to the Premier League.
However, Coppell has not closed the door on Ibrahima Sonko despite the defender’s criticism of the way he has been treated since he was suspended and fined for refusing to play for the reserves last season.
“There’s been a lot of speculation and I’ve read conflicting reports but I haven’t spoken to him,” said Coppell.
“He’s one of those who is still away and he won’t be training this week. We will see what the situation is when he comes back.”
Meanwhile, defensive coach Wally Downes is poised to pen a new one-year deal.
The ex-Brentford boss had been weighing up his options and has never hidden his desire to return to management.
But Coppell said: “The fact he will be in training this week means he will sign it.”
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