This season was meant to be a period of consolidation in the Barclays Premiership after their promotion year.

Instead they are seventh in the table - which would secure a spot in Europe - following a dramatic 3-1 victory at Bolton.

The Reading boss said: "I have always given glib answers and said we are not ready. It could be not good for us.

"We would have to have a bigger squad which we could not afford and over time could prove to be cumbersome and a hindrance.

"Europe is a feather in the cap but no gravy train."

Reading proved at the Reebok Stadium their stamina is second to none as is their will to win.

Bolton had taken the lead after 63 minutes when Nicky Shorey deflected a shot from Nicolas Anelka into his own net.

It seemed as though they were closing on a UEFA Cup spot after that lucky break.

However Reading retaliated and Kevin Doyle equalised from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute after being tripped by Abdoulaye Meite.

Then he put them ahead with his 12th goal of the season with a minute to go and Stephen Hunt added a third in stoppage time.

Coppell said: "Kevin is not firing on all cylinders and is not back to where he was but it was good psychological healing for him today.

"I thought we were capable of getting an equaliser but I did not expect the win.

"For us to come here and beat Bolton is a bit of an acid test. We lose a lot of games because were are not prepared to sit back for a draw. We try to win very game.

"It won't be an accident where we finish in the table. After 38 games you end up where you deserve."

Not only did Bolton finish up with nothing but they could lose three of their players for the last three games.

Manager Sam Allardyce was angered by a challenge from Michael Duberry on skipper Kevin Nolan, which went unpunished by referee Howard Webb.

Nolan went to hospital for X-rays on his damaged ankle while Nicky Hunt (calf) and El-Hadji Diouf (hamstring) were also injured.

Allardyce said: "It was nasty challenge on Kevin that went unpunished unfortunately. But we have to live with that.

"Those three players are unlikely to recover with three games left and it leaves us short of numbers.

"We overcame a lot barriers and are very disappointed at not getting anything after playing some good football."

Allardyce believes his team should have seen the game out after taking the lead.

He said: "We looked like we had managed to overcome Reading and get the three points which we deserved. But we did not get far enough in front and gave a silly penalty away.

"Then we left the back door open, although there was the possibility of offside for their second goal.

"We were not clinical at the right time and paid a heavy price. We did not do what should have done. We should have stayed solid and protected our lead."