Careful Coppell refuses to go for broke

You can view Steve Coppell's relative inertia in the transfer market this summer in one of two ways: wanton imprudence or a welcome declaration of faith in players who served him so well last season. And the former Manchester United winger has never knowingly betrayed a reckless spirit.

The 20 Premiership clubs have thus far made 143 purchases this summer, at an aggregate cost of [pound]362 million. Reading's contribution to those deals has been two incoming players and a net spend of [pound]500,000, having allowed Greg Halford, last season's then record signing at [pound]2.5m, somewhat mysteriously to depart to Sunderland for [pound]3m.

Though the Reading man-ager would not concede it, there is just a suspicion that he regards much of the money spent this summer as sheer profligacy. Certainly his own actions suggest as much. Last season, after winning the Championship by a record margin, he bought the South Korean Seol Ki-Hyeon from Wolves for under [pound]2m, and that was it. This time, he has been no more extravagant. His acquisitions amount to the Ivory Coast international Emerse Fae from Nantes for [pound]2.5m and the Frenchman Kalifa Cisse from Boavista, for [pound]1m. And that's it.

Marcus Hahnemann, Reading's American goalkeeper, insists that Coppell's reluctance must be viewed as a testament to the squad's progress. "A lot of teams have spent a lot of money, but it bodes well for all the players here that we've actually impressed our manager enough that he doesn't feel the need to go out and splash a lot of cash around," says the goalkeeper.

Could it actually be that the Scouser is the only sane man-ager in the asylum? Coppell smiles that indulgent smile of his, one that frequently gives you the impression that he believes he is dealing with fools, and declares: "No, if my chairman gave me [pound]20m, I'd spend it. But we are what we are. We can't compete with the big boys. But it's 11 versus 11, and those 11 are desperate to prove they are the equal, and maybe the superior, of the opposition team, who-ever they are: ManchesterUnited on Sunday, Chelsea on Wednesday, Everton next Saturday. We've got to have that 'I'm going to show them' mentality."

If that attitude persists, there is no reason why his team should not flourish again. He knows there are goals in the England Under- 21 striker Leroy Lita, Dave Kitson and the two Republic of Ireland forwards Kevin Doyle and Shane Long. Also, significantly, last season just about every outfield player contributed to the tally of 52 League goals in a season when they boasted a fine home record and won and drew more than they lost away.

Yet concerns persist. First,the dreaded "second-season syndrome", a banned expression at Reading's Finchampstead training ground. In that context, Coppell is asked what lastseason taught him and his men.

"Nothing. We don't think about the past," he retorts. "I wish I could put it on the shelf, and that we could have the same mentality as this time last year. I hope that 'just promoted' mentality is still within us."

Speaking of that quality, presumably the transfer of Steve Sidwell to Chelsea represents more than a loss of talent? Coppell nods. "His perform-ances last season were very strong and solid. But they weren't so outstanding that everyone was thinking, 'Here's the jewel in the crown'. We'll miss him, definitely. I wish he was still here. But football is all about change, we move on. The door closes but it opens for someone else."

Coppell would have been more concerned that other players might follow Sidwell out of the club, having enhanced their reputations last season. Will England full-back Nicky Shorey still be here when the transfer window closes?

"Yeah," is the Reading manager's response. "As far as we're both concerned, it's get on with the football." And off he strides to prepare to take his men on a daunting trip north, looking like a man relishing the big kick-off, not a man contemplating the start from hell.

RETURN TO OLD TRAFFORD

Manchester United have asked The Independent On Sunday to make clear that, contrary to widespread reports at the time, Sir Alex Ferguson did not inform referee Steve Bennett that he would "need a police escort to get out of here" after the Manchester derby on 14 January 2006. We are happy to put the record straight.

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