Coppell left to curse Smith

Coppell: Forest point

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Reading boss Steve Coppell was left to curse former charge Paul Smith after the 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The Forest goalkeeper, who played under Coppell at Brentford, produced an impressive late save from Kevin Doyle's header as honours ended even between the Championship newcomers.

Colin Calderwood's side, promoted from League One last term, controlled much of the game against the relegated Royals without finding a way through, and were indebted to Smith for earning them a point.

Great save

Coppell boss said: "It was the one opening we had in the game and it just happened to be Paul who got in the way of it. I gave him a regular spot in the Brentford team when I was there.

"It was a great save but I won't tell you what I said to him afterwards.

"Outside of that we created a lot of potential situations but they all seemed to filter away into nothing.

"I think both teams wanted to get out there and find out exactly where they were after five weeks of pre-season. A promoted team against a relegated team was an interesting start.

"I don't think we produced the kind of performance we would have really liked but that had a lot to do with the way Forest were set up.

"The midfield was very congested and it was difficult for us to create, particularly when we lost Marek Matejovsky through injury in the first half."

With new striker signings Andrew Cole and Joe Garner injured, it left Robert Earnshaw as Forest's lone front runner and he found it difficult against Reading's towering defenders.

Excuse

Calderwood said: "We knew it would be tough against Reading but we are a Championship side now and we have to be judged on that.

"I'm quite satisfied with the way it panned out and I certainly wouldn't want to use our lack of strikers as an excuse. You have to cope with injuries even though I would like to bring someone in while we are getting people fit.

"I thought we competed well with Reading but we know we have to improve if we are going to build on what we achieved last season.

"We did tire a little bit in the second half when we wanted to kick on but in terms of fitness we just need to get matches behind us and we'll be fine."