Reading boss Coppell haunted by relegation as Spurs go through the motions but still coast to victory

Reading's dismal form saw them slide from a comfortable mid-table position into the relegation places. But Lawrence, who was in charge of Middlesbrough and Charlton in similar situations, offered Coppell some comforting words.

'He just said you can't afford a run like that at the beginning of the season or the end,' said the Reading manager.

Back-to-back wins over Middlesbrough and Manchester City at the beginning of March appeared to arrest Reading's slide back into the second tier. But since then, Lawrence's advice has come back to haunt Coppell.

The defeat to Tottenham means Reading have gained just five points from their last eight games, a disastrous run which places Coppell's side 19th in the Premier League form table and 18th in the real thing.

Their performance against Spurs made it six games without a goal and offered little to suggest Reading can pull themselves clear.

Their fate is now out of their hands and even a win at Derby may not be enough.

'It's no relief whatsoever (to be playing Derby),' insisted Coppell.

'It doesn't matter who we play, we have got to win a game. We've lost the habit of winning a football match. Our mentality has to be that we have to win. Derby will want to put on a show, so it's everything to play for.'

In recent weeks, Coppell has admitted making mistakes.

And after watching his bold plan of including Stephen Hunt, Dave Kitson, Kevin Doyle and Leroy Lita in his starting line-up undone by a Tottenham side revelling in an unfamiliar 4-1-3-2 formation, Coppell was honest enough to own up to where he has got it wrong.

'I took the calculated risk not to spend as much money last summer and in January. If it doesn't work, it's my fault,' said Coppell.

'I made the decision that I didn't want to reward two years of success by telling half the team ''thanks a lot, but you're finished now".'

Those who have been with Coppell throughout the joy of promotion and a magnificent eighth place finish in their Premier League debut season must also ask themselves whether they have done enough to justify their manager's faith.

Still, Coppell praised his players' effort and commitment despite watching Spurs rip Reading to shreds before the break.

A late rally from the home side simply was too little, too late.

Robbie Keane's 16th-minute goal provided evidence that, in the absence of the injured Dimitar Berbatov, a partnership with Darren Bent can bear fruit.

But even though Berbatov is widely expected to leave in the summer, Bent's future remains uncertain. Spurs are willing to sell if they can recoup enough of the £16.5million they paid Charlton last summer.

Ramos refuses to be drawn on his transfer plans. But with Spurs treading water since their Carling Cup final victory, the Spaniard clearly cannot wait to start putting his own mark on the side he inherited from Martin Jol.

'In the past three games, we have been playing with our needs already covered,' conceded Ramos. 'The sooner the season finishes, the better.'

Coppell, though, must wish he had another eight games to put things right.