Kits Backs Copps

Following the announcement that Steve Coppell will be staying on as manager at Reading, Royals striker Dave Kitson has expressed his delight.

Kitson, who was Reading's top scorer last season, believes Coppell was right to take some time out to make the decision, and he has no doubt that he is the man to lead the Royals back to the Premier League.

Kitson said, 'I'm extremely happy he's come to this decision.

'I don't think anyone would begrudge him the time he's taken to reflect, take stock and see what he wants to do.

'He wanted to do what's right for him and the Club, and he's decided this is it.

'Obviously he's the manager who got us out of the Championship in the first place. Everyone at the Club knows what he's capable of, and what the fans did to keep him here was phenomenal.

'Yes we've been relegated, and some performances have been questionable, but that's down to players, it has no bearing on Steve.

'He's a Reading man now, and I read the quotes from him about how he loves his job here. He wants to manage Reading in the Premiership, and the only way he can do that is if we get ourselves out of the Championship.

'I think you need a strong manager to get out of the Championship. It is in someways tougher than the Premiership because everyone is closer matched.

'You don't usually get a team that stands out, so the fact that we won the league with 106 points shows what a good manager he is, it is a difficult league.

'If we can add a few faces I firmly believe we will be in a strong position to get back up at the first attempt with Steve at the helm.'

With Steve Coppell's future now clarified, it remains to be seen which players will be leaving the club in the summer. Following these comments however, it is evident that Dave Kitson will almost certainly be part of Coppell's side come August.