January 18 2006

Steve Coppell

Ex-Crystal Palace boss Steve Coppell has told the Croydon Guardian it would be his perfect season if the Eagles achieved promotion along with his current side Reading, by Stuart Pink.

Coppell's runaway leaders meet his former employers on Friday night at Selhurst Park as they look to increase their lead at the top of the Championship which currently stands at nine points.

But the Palace legend, who spent a total of 15 years in charge at Selhurst Park in two separate spells, is hoping both his current and former club will be plying their trade in the Premiership next season.

Coppell said: "It would certainly be a nice scenario if both sides got promoted and one I would prefer above anything else."

The Royals go into Friday's encounter on the back of an incredible 28 game unbeaten league run and have only lost one Championship fixture all season - a defeat at the hands of Plymouth on the opening day of the season.

But Reading will not have encountered many teams on the same run as Palace, who have won six games on the spin in recent weeks to firmly establish themselves in the automatic promotion race.

Coppell has certainly taken notice of the Eagles' renaissance and believes Iain Dowie's men are now starting to show their pre-season potential.

Coppell said: "Certainly any team who can put a run together like that is capable of anything.

"Looking at the quality of players they've got, it's reflected in the success of the side."

The Reading boss talks fondly of his time at Selhurst Park and admits he still has great affection for Eagles fans and the club itself.

Not many past managers in recent years would receive a warm reception at Selhurst Park, but Coppell can rest assured that come Friday night, Palace fans will show their appreciation - despite it being a game of immense magnitude and importance for

both clubs.

Coppell added: "I made such a strong bond with the supporters there during the time of administration and spending 15 years of my life there. "We did things that haven't been done before at the club."

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