Reading boss Steve Coppell wants a reaction from his players against Portsmouth on New Year's Day, insisting: "We have to grow up quickly."Coppell's men lost 6-4 at Tottenham on Saturday, three months after Pompey defeated them 7-4, yet Reading remain clear of relegation danger and are still handily placed for a top-half finish in the Premier League.

With Pompey making the return trip to the Madejski Stadium for a New Year's Day clash, the Royals have the perfect platform for a response.

"It's not about mental gymnastics, it's just a human response," said Coppell. "No footballer likes getting beaten. So you are looking for a response. I'm looking for that on New Year's Day.

"It's a tough league. We have to grow up very quickly and we have to pick ourselves up very, very quickly.

"If anything, it should spur them on to put things right."

Pompey have one point from their last four matches but Coppell is wary of their quality.

He said: "They are a good team, they spent £20million or so in the summer. We don't have that ability, so we have to depend on the qualities we have."

Royals midfielder James Harper is aware of the need to bounce back from the White Hart Lane defeat.

"We need to be stronger, have our two banks of four and not let them score again," he said on Reading World.

"It's not good enough. We've had the 7-4, now a 6-4, we've got to liven up away from home.

"We'd been on a good little run. For the neutral, it was great, for us it was disappointing.

"We're hurting, now it's Pompey and we'll have a good go.

"They've been on a bit of a dodgy run, we owe them one and we'll get out of the traps early."

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