Coppell prepares his shopping list as Royals dump Newcastle

Steve Coppell's side have accrued the same number of points — 13 — from 11 games this time around as they managed in their debut campaign.

The difference is, of course, that while the Berkshire club were rapidly earning themselves the reputation of a surprise package last year, altered perceptions after a season which brought them to the verge of European qualification have raised doubts as to whether Coppell's side can rid themselves of second season syndrome.

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While Coppell dismissed such comparisons as mere coincidence, Reading's best display of the season against a Newcastle team still suffering from a serious bout of travel sickness would suggest they are at least regaining the form that impressed so many neutrals last year.

But after a relatively quiet summer in the transfer market, Coppell admitted he will press ahead with a January recruitment drive.

Despite having unearthed such bargains as match-winner Shane Long who, within seconds of coming on and with his second touch, ensured maximum points for Reading, Coppell will switch his attention to signing players with proven top-flight pedigree.

"So we've got the same points as last season. So what?" questioned Coppell.

"It's just more difficult, the second season.

"Whatever reasons, it's just more difficult.

"I've asked this squad of players to do certain things and they've delivered.

"In the summer I had a decision — do I bring in three, four, five new players or do I stick with what I've got?

"I decided by and large to stick with what I'd got.

"Results determine your future actions. Our results are showing we need reinforcements, so I would hope to be active in January.

"The ones we've had are the ones who have come through English football and we've been able to use the investment of time.

"In this division, you don't get that kind of time. We will need more finished players."

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce will also be looking to use his legendary persuasive powers in the transfer market come the New Year, after another away display devoid of zip or creativity.

True, two defensive lapses cost his side dear.

Their failure to deal with routine aerial balls was responsible for Dave Kitson's sweetly-struck opener as well as Long's winner.

But Allardyce's reconstructed defence still remains a vast improvement on the one he inherited in the summer.

The former Bolton manager will be hoping for more from Joey Barton, who made his first start since joining from Manchester City as he feels his way back to fitness after a serious ankle injury.

But without the strength of Mark Viduka to do the holding job in attack, Michael Owen again cut a disconsolate figure as Newcastle's failure to create more than one chance for the England striker ensured another frustrating afternoon.

Newcastle are crying out for a midfielder with guile and pace who has the vision to exploit Owen's prodigious talent and without goals from either the diminutive striker or Obafemi Martins, Newcastle will struggle to improve on their solitary away win this season.

The fact that their goal came courtesy of a rebound off the unlucky Michael Duberry's chest only served to emphasis the point.

"It was another disappointing away performance for us," said Allardyce. "We don't want to get paranoid but we have to do better than what we are doing.

"You are not going to win any games away from home if you concede two."

READING (4-4-2): Hahnemann 6; Murty 6 (Rosenior 86min), Sonko 7, Duberry 6, Shorey 7; Doyle 8, Gunnarsson 7, Harper 7, Hunt 7; Lita 6 (Long 83), Kitson 7.

NEWCASTLE (4-4-2): Given 6; Beye 5, Faye 6 (Milner 74, 6), Cacapa 6, Jose Enrique 7; Geremi 6, Butt 6 (N'Zogbia 58, 6), Barton 6, Emre 6; Martins 5 (Smith 58, 6),Owen 6.

Booked: Faye.

Man of the match: Kevin Doyle.

Referee: Phil Dowd.