Jaap Stam has often played down Reading’s automatic promotion hopes. In fact he’s continued to play down the play-offs too.
Automatic promotion does look less likely for Reading following a 0-0 draw with Championship leaders Newcastle but the Royals do look good to finish in the end of season play-offs.
Matt Ritchie had hit the post for Newcastle before Garath McCleary nearly won it for Reading at the death as his effort as the points were shared. Which wasn’t a bad result against a Magpies side that have won 13 away games this season.
Then again the Royals have only lost twice at the Madjeski Stadium this term.
Speaking post-match Stam spoke of the importance of not losing games like this at this stage of the season. But he was also admittedly disappointed we couldn’t take one of the few chances create.
He told BBC Radio Berkshire.
‘If you play big games against sides like this at this stage of the season, it’s important not to lose games. It’s also important to create a few chances and perhaps the only thing we can say that’s disappointing is we didn’t score one.’
Adding.
‘I think sometimes we were too eager to go forward in the first half and we were warned a couple of times with the chances Newcastle had on the break. But we spoke about it at the half-time and in the second half we did what we needed to be patient and not let them run.’
Obviously a win would have been preferred but all things considered the boss wasn’t unhappy with a points.
Stam finished.
‘We got the opportunities but we couldn’t score, which was a pity. But, playing against a team like this, it’s not a shame when you come away with a point.’
Reading made four changes to the side that faced Newcastle with Stam – in another interview that followed – defending these moves.
He told BBC Radio Berkshire some players were in need of a break with Stam prepared to utilise the squad fully.
‘At the moment, it’s not about individuals, it’s about the team performance in what we want to achieve together. We’ve got a squad with a few players and we can make choices to give a few a rest so that they can be sharper when they step back in.
Stam’s suggested he’ll continue this approach over the final 10 games and isn’t going to have a problem doing so.
‘It’s important with the changes you make that you can still get results. Everyone in the squad knows what’s expected from them, what they need to do and the choices they make. Sometimes it happens that you can play and then maybe the next game, you’re not even in the squad. I think everybody is committed to that and we can keep that up until the end of the season.’
