Shaun Goater's fellow striker Nicky Forster has admitted their partnership has got off to a slow start.

Forster, who plays up front at First Division Reading alongside the 33-year-old Bermudian, was speaking following Saturday's disappointing 2-1 home reverse against Coventry City.

Forster scored Reading's goal but was disappointed overall with the way the game went.

"We started off well, went ahead and had a few chances," he said. "Goats (Goater) and I linked up well, although it's been a bit slow for us recently. It's not really happening as it's either one or the other scoring which is something we have to work on."

Stand-in manager Kevin Dillon was also frustrated by the afternoon's events.

Dillon, hoping to secure the post on a permanent basis following Alan Pardew's departure to West Ham, said: "The passing was poor. The first pass out of defence was poor, which is the one that creates space for the midfield to switch the play.

"I think the only one to come out with any credit was Fozzy (Forster). When you have eight or nine players not performing to the level they can you will have problems."

Reading have a chance to get back on track tomorrow when they take on Third Division Oxford in the Carling Cup.

Meanwhile, sacked Spurs manager Glenn Hoddle has emerged as a possible candidate for the boss's job should Reading chairman John Madejski decide against Dillon.

Hoddle was linked with the job prior to Pardew's appointment as caretaker boss in September, 1999. Pardew's assistant then was John Gorman, who was Hoddle's right-hand man at Swindon, England, Southampton and most recently Tottenham.

The midfield legend joined several training sessions at Reading's Sonning base, but then landed the job at Saints.

One change at Reading was sorted out yesterday following the appointment of Nicky Hammond as director of football.

The academy director and goalkeeping coach has agreed a five-year contract and will be actively involved in finding a replacement for ex-boss Pardew.

Hammond has spent eight years with Reading and was appointed academy director in October, 2000.

Chairman Madejski said: "We have never done this before and Nicky will be our eyes and ears for the whole gambit of football and advise the board.

"We don't want the wheels to come off at this club. This appointment is a clear move forward. The club is getting bigger all the time and this appointment underpins our ambitions."