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Reading's record in their last twelve league and cup matches hardly makes for happy reading, the side have won three times, drawn four times and lost five times. Yet, with a goal difference of minus three, remain in touching distance of the play-offs.
The poor form has led to calls from the fans for Coppell to go, even though he has been at the club for little over four months. The ex-Brighton, Palace and Brentford boss, who has worked wonders in previous jobs, deserves a fair chance.
But the woeful Royals simply do not seem to be strong enough at the back to make the grade. The likes of West Ham, Millwall and Sunderland seem much better equipped to be pushing for the Premiership as the season reaches its conclusion.
In order to counter this, Coppell is set to bring in Darren Powell and Paul Brooker (loan) to bolster his options as the team gallop towards the final furlong.
Speaking ahead of this weekend's game with Sheffield United, Coppell admitted he is convinced his side can finish in the top six although the fans, and Reading MAD, believe otherwise.
The Royals boss explained to the Reading Chronicle: "It's down to the players themselves now and I've already told them that the supporters don't believe we can do it. I've spoken to a lot of fans since I've been here and more or less everyone has told me that we can't."
Kevin Keegan infamously made the headlines in 1996 for coming out on TV and passionately declaring that he would 'love it' if his side beat Man Utd to the title. Whilst Coppell evidently has a little more self-control, after the stick he has received from the Reading support he would surely 'love it' if the Royals made the play-offs.
"I know my players will see this as an opportunity to meet the challenge face on and prove fans wrong," remarked Coppell.
"I've got thick skin and I've needed it at Reading because I've taken a lot of stick from certain people - and I mean a lot. I was a bit disappointed but what they believe is up to them."
The Royals currently lie in eighth place just one point adrift of the top six, but rivals Sunderland and West Ham, who both visit the Madejski in the coming weeks, have games in hand over all above them.
Realistically, if Coppell's boys are to defy the baying fans they must win at least seven of their remaining fourteen games and pick up a point from all but one or two of the others if they are to achieve a play-off spot.