"Stevie Coppell's blue and white army" doesn't sound quite right does it?

While 1,600 of us where up in Derby watching the current crop of Palace players spurn a golden opportunity to close in on second place, Coppell and his Reading side were in another part of the east Midlands securing Premiership football.

Football fans have short memories and it's easy to get envious of where Reading are now if only for our own current plight.

But like 99 per cent of Palace fans, I am genuinely happy for Coppell.

His tenure at Reading has reminded me of his time in south London in the early 90s, where arguably the blue-print for the Royals' success was designed.

Strikers from the lower leagues, Dave Kitson signed for £150,000 from Cambridge 15 goals this season, Kevin Doyle from Cork City 15 goals, Leroy Lita from Bristol City 11 goals. Pacey wingers in Bobby Convey and Glen Little (free from Burnley) and a solid, dependable, long serving captain in Graeme Murty.

At the Walkers Stadium, Coppell once again showed the side of him that we all saw in that FA Cup semi-final. Then, Match of The Day cameras caught Coppell running into the sanctuary of the dressing room while his players celebrated the famous win over Liverpool, a feat he repeated on Saturday while Murty and co deservedly took the limelight.