Reading boss Steve Coppell again fielded second season syndrome questions after Saturday's defeat at Blackburn Rovers.

He said: "Statistically it is always tougher, it has got nothing to do with our individual case. If you look at all the teams I think Blackburn are one of only two sides who were better in their second season.

"Statistically it just happens that way, you can write a list of however many reasons as you want, it's hard in your first season, it's hard in your second."