Reading basically had the match at Wigan wrapped up inside five-minutes.
A Garath McCleary brace, the first inside a minute, had us two-up before we eventually won three-nil on Saturday.
Before the match Jaap Stam had spoken about focusing on our own game and not the impact the appointment of Wigan’s new boss Warren Joyce would have. Not that it had much impact it seems!
Following this win at the DW Stadium Stam told readingfc.co.uk.
‘We knew with a new manager, what they could do to us. They will have known how we want to play and we expected them to press high up the pitch. So, as a result, we were looking to play that ball in behind into our runners from midfield and the forward players…and that’s what happened at the beginning of the game. And we scored two great goals.’
The gameplan Reading had worked on was followed through exactly as Stam wanted with the ‘very aggressive’ start wanted certainly seen with the two quick fire goals making it ‘more difficult for the opposition.’
Defensively, as a former defender himself, the Dutchman was also happy.
‘We defended very well. Games against teams near the bottom of the table can be very difficult. But we put 100% work rate into it and we got the win we deserved.’
Adding.
‘We didn’t give a lot of chances away and we created more chances of our own. We didn’t score them, but I’m very happy with the win of course. It’s all about the timing, playing that pass, making that run. It’s very important to our game. We’re looking for that moment every time – it doesn’t always happen as you want it to go. But today, we seemed to do it quite well.’
This win took us up to fourth but Stam went on to add nothing was being taken for granted with no one becoming complacent, at least he’s not looking for this with him more than happy with the fact ‘we’re quite consistent’ and ‘we’re getting results.’
Has this break come at the right time?
Those not heading off to play for their countries will continue to train and have the EFL Trophy to be involved with Stam concluding the ‘break is welcomed.’
‘The break is always welcome. But when you’re in a rhythm you want to play, so certain players who were here today will join the U23s to play in the Checkatrade Trophy game on Wednesday. The internationals will go away and play of course, and the rest of the squad we will stay behind and we will work to improve them and get them into shape fitness-wise.’
