Coppell stamps his authority

By Mark Sugar
November 21 2003

More transfer dealing's occured today with the news that ex Colchester winger Dean Morgan has gone on trial at the club.Also goalie Jamie Ashdown looks set to complete a 1 month loan move to 2nd division side Rushden and Diamonds.This follows Kevin Watson and Nathan Tyson being on the transfer list.

In a week for the Royals that has seen Adie Williams ruled out for upto 6 weeks due to a knee injury and influential winger Scott Murray out of Saturday's match with Millwall,manager Steve Coppell is already looking ahead to strengthen the squad with the news today that ex Colchester winger Dean Morgan is on trial at the club. Morgan is 20,a left winger and was highly rated at Colchester before having a dispute with Royals legend and current Colchester manager Phil Parkinson. But the question I am asking is why a left winger?John Salako is playing the best football he has played since joining Reading 2 years ago,but is 34 years old and also out of contract at the end of the season. But with Morgan coming in on a trial its looks more than likely like local lad Nathan Tyson will be on his way out.The kid has failed to live up to the standards he set himself while playing for England U20's last season and it was no surprise he was transfer listed. He joins fans favourite Kevin Watson on the list as he searches for regular first team football.This has led some fans into shock as to why Coppell is letting such a good quality midfielder leave. But 1 player who is leaving us,only for a month though is goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown.Ashdown hasn't put enough pressure on No 1 Marcus Hahnemman this season and looks likely to join Brian Talbot's Rushden and Diamonds side who have made a good solid start since winning promotion last season.