Bristol's Coppell promises not to raid Reading

[readingbedding]

Steve Coppell has said that he will resist the urge to poach some of his former Reading players for new club Bristol City this summer.

The 54-year-old Royals legend took over at Ashton Gate at the end of the season and is looking to rebuild his City squad after their 2009/10 campaign.

He said: “It will be difficult for me in many ways.

“I speak with Brian McDermott, quite regularly. I think he is conscious of the hovering cloud of Steve Coppell at Bristol City and whether I will be interested in any of their players.

“They have the players they want to keep buttoned up because of the continuity.

“There are a few players they have made offers to, but I don’t think I will take anyone from Reading.”

Coppell could however sign former Royals midfielder James Harper who has been released from Sheffield United.

Elsewhere, former Reading captain Graeme Murty has been released by Alan Pardew's Southampton

[Sun Tzu]

I guess he'll 'resist the urge' on the basis that we aren't going to sell anyone to him !!

They make it sound like he could just turn up at Hogwood, open his car door and whistle and half a dozen players would happily jump in the back of his car.

[readingbedding]

No open chequebook at Ashton Gate either, include a reportedly smaller club squad size at BC compared to the predecessor.

"I probably agree, if the 24 (players) are good and committed."

"Experience has shown me that if you are looking for two players, therefore you are looking to get rid of two players as well."

[Radders]

I guess he'll 'resist the urge' on the basis that we aren't going to sell anyone to him !!

They make it sound like he could just turn up at Hogwood, open his car door and whistle and half a dozen players would happily jump in the back of his car.

TBF, if he did then some probably would jump in

[floyd__streete]

Steve Coppell has said that he will resist the urge to poach some of his former Reading players for new club Bristol City this summer.

“I speak with Brian McDermott, quite regularly. I think he is conscious of the hovering cloud of Steve Coppell at Bristol City and whether I will be interested in any of their players."

Odd comment that. Looking at the squad which took us from the depths of the Championship to the edge of the play offs, how many were 'Coppell players'? Griff - no. Zurab - no. Mills - no. McANuff - no. Howard - no. Tabb - hardly played under Coppell. Gylfi - see Tabb. Notwithstanding the obvious thought that most of those key players wouldn't want a sideways move and that Bristol City almost certainly couldn't afford to pay for them anyway.....

[Ryn]

Ivar
Bryn
Matejovsky
Cisse
Kebe
Long
Hunt

All played under Coppell, and would potentially be of interest to him, but I doubt they have the funds to secure their signatures, with the possible exception of Cisse.

[Messiah]

Ivar - Signed new deal.
Bryn - Signed new deal.
Matejovsky - Want him to go.
Cisse - Want him to go.
Kebe - Will leave for a league above, not a sideways move.
Long - Can't see him wanting to swap RFC for BCFC. Sideways move, probably less wages.
Hunt - Injury prone and no one will touch him until fit.

All played under Coppell.

[bobby m's syrup]

As has been pointed out above, most of our current squad are not Coppell players and there is contention in some quarters to suggest that SSC had 'lost' the dressing room during the run in to May 09. All said and done, slightly arrogant remarks like this don't bear the Coppell hallmark. Mind games?...not really his style???

[Big Foot]

More like desperate journo trying to fill inches in the close season I'd hazard a guess at

[Sun Tzu]

More like desperate journo trying to fill inches in the close season I'd hazard a guess at

Indeed, I think we know Coppell well enough to actually take the comments as his typical tongue in cheek remarks, it's a very different situation to the one where he picked up players from Brentford becasue he could offer them a step up. He can't do that for any of our players, other than ones who we would be looking to move on anyway !

You would also wonder whether the players he brought in and then didn;t play regularly would be of interest to him, or interested in joining him...

[SpaceCruiser]

Tabb - hardly played under Coppell.

I'm sure Coppell played him a fair bit at Brentford? I might be wrong.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Tabb - hardly played under Coppell.

I'm sure Coppell played him a fair bit at Brentford? I might be wrong.

Pretty sure Tabb broke through after Coppell left

[Royal Lady]

Tabb - hardly played under Coppell.

I'm sure Coppell played him a fair bit at Brentford? I might be wrong.

We're talking about when Coppell was at READING m8.

[Royal Lady]

Tabb - hardly played under Coppell.

I'm sure Coppell played him a fair bit at Brentford? I might be wrong.

Pretty sure Tabb broke through after Coppell left

He did. With McDermott mainly I think. I don't think he was even on the bench with Rodgers

[SpaceCruiser]

Tabb - hardly played under Coppell.

I'm sure Coppell played him a fair bit at Brentford? I might be wrong.

We're talking about when Coppell was at READING m8.

Floyd said "Coppell players" - irrespective of which club it was at. M8.

Pretty sure Tabb broke through after Coppell left

And I'm fairly sure he played for Brentford in THAT game which Cureton scored to send us up.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Nope, Tabb broke into the team 2 seasons after that game.

[SpaceCruiser]

Nope, Tabb broke into the team 2 seasons after that game.

Just checked soccerbase, apologies, you are right and I am wrong.

[T.R.O.L.I.]

Nope, Tabb broke into the team 2 seasons after that game.

Just checked soccerbase, apologies, you are right and I am wrong.

Quoted for emphasis

[Woodcote Royal]

Steve Coppell has said that he will resist the urge to poach some of his former Reading players for new club Bristol City this summer.

The 54-year-old Royals legend took over at Ashton Gate at the end of the season and is looking to rebuild his City squad after their 2009/10 campaign.

He said: “It will be difficult for me in many ways.

“I speak with Brian McDermott, quite regularly. I think he is conscious of the hovering cloud of Steve Coppell at Bristol City and whether I will be interested in any of their players.

“They have the players they want to keep buttoned up because of the continuity.

“There are a few players they have made offers to, but I don’t think I will take anyone from Reading.”

Coppell could however sign former Royals midfielder James Harper who has been released from Sheffield United.

Elsewhere, former Reading captain Graeme Murty has been released by Alan Pardew's Southampton

FFS

Just in case you hadn't noticed, Steve, most of the over paid dead beats you refused to drop have long since been shipped out.

We currently play many of the kids you couldn't wait to send out on loan.

Trains tickets for Ivar and Harps should get you sorted...........................and perhaps a few more for their, and your, "so solid" fan club.

[readingbedding]

And after all that he's still the best we've ever had!