Football: Coppell can't buy a victory

READING boss Steve Coppell is frustrated by his team's 11-game winless run, describing it as "groundhog day."

His side are still searching for their first victory of the year after this dull draw.

But surprisingly they remain in the play-off places, although their recent form could end their promotion hopes. "I feel really flat," he moaned. "We need to start winning games.

"Every team near the top is capable of six or seven wins and getting up, but no-one has taken this league by the scruff of the neck."

Reading started the brighter, but were held at bay by a solid QPR defence in a game of very few chances.

"I can't think of one incident in the whole game," said Rangers boss Ian Holloway.

"The unluckiest people here are myself and Steve Coppell because we will need to look at that again to analyse it.

"It is all about entertainment and even the purist wouldn't say that was a game they would want to watch.

"I managed to keep half of one eye open, but the other one actually fell asleep."

Les Ferdinand, 38, was given a warm welcome from the QPR fans as he made his return to Loftus Road.

Holloway said: "I always knew he would get a warm welcome because he is a legend here. I can remember some unbelievable goals from when we played together."

The former England international signalled his intent in the opening minute when his 30-yard shot sailed wide - but lasted only half an hour before limping off.

A minute later Paul Brooker darted in from the left with the ball at his feet only to fire at the advancing Simon Royce in goal.

Paul Furlong was a constant threat to Reading and should have scored on 15 minutes when Kevin Gallen flicked Lee Cook's cross into his path.

But Furlong, despite being unmarked, volleyed wide of the far post from 12 yards.

It proved to be his best chance of the game.

Gallen had a couple of long-range efforts in either half, but both were tame and failed to troubled Marcus Hahnemann.

The visiting fans thought they had taken the lead against the run of play through Dave Kitson after 67 minutes only for the linesman to rule him offside.

A late rally from QPR almost saw them steal all three points but both Furlong and second half substitute Tony Thorpe should have done better.

MAN OF THE MATCH

STEVE SIDWELL

Controlled midfield - a class act.

QPR: Royce 6, Bignot 6, Rose 7, Shittu 8, Edghill 6 (Ainsworth 6), Rowlands 6, Santos 6, Bircham 7 (Cureton 6), Cook 6 (Thorpe 6), Furlong 7, Gallen 7.

READING: Hahnemann 6, Little 6, Sonko 7, Ingimarsson 6, Shorey 7, Hughes 7, SIDWELL 8, Newman 6, Brooker 7, Ferdinand 7 (Morgan 6), Kitson 7.

MANAGERS: Holloway 6; Coppell 6

REFEREE: A Leake 7

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