Coppell willing to take blame

Reading manager Steve Coppell is fully aware that even a victory at Derby County next weekend may not necessarily keep his side in the Premier League.

The Royals slipped into the bottom three after losing 1-0 at home to mid-table Tottenham, their sixth successive match without a goal.

A deflated Coppell admitted: "People remind you all the time that you haven't scored for so long and there's also the confidence factor to think about.

"Now it's win or bust next week, we have to get a result to give ourselves a chance.

"It doesn't matter who we play we have to win, but we've lost the habit of winning football matches.

"Since the chairman has come here he's built a self-financing club. That ultimately might be our downfall.

"I didn't spend so much last summer and in January, so if it doesn't work it's my fault.

"The manager always gets the blame. When the team do well the players take the credit, but my shoulders are broad enough and I'll take it."