JAAP STAM has warned disgruntled fans not to expect a drastic change in Reading’s playing style.
Many fans have shown their frustrations at the possession-based tactics employed by Stam since he took over the club last summer, with many calling for a change in manager with the Royals sliding towards the relegation zone.
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But Stam says that while this is his philosophy, it is also shared by Chinese owners Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li.
“The owners want us to play possession football,” he said.
“We need to make it clear to everybody that we’re not playing possession because of possession.
“Everybody wants to go forward as quick as we can, but by giving away every ball and running after it and chasing it makes it difficult to get into a certain stride.
“When I’m talking to the club, and I did it with the previous owners as well, about how we want to play within this this club and how the owners want it, that’s by playing a certain way.
“If other people want to see it differently, it’s going to be maybe disappointing but that’s how they (owners) want to do it.”
He added: “The owners are not deciding what I’m going to do or how I want to play.
“In previous games sometimes we made the decision to be a bit more direct.
“But sometimes that also doesn’t make it easier for yourself.
“There’s a balance that you need to find as a team – when to play the ball forward and when to play out and keep possession.”
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Reading suffered another defeat on Saturday, losing 2-1 at Middlesbrough, and sit 18th in
the Championship table just four points above the bottom three.
And Stam was left rueing defensive errors again which led to Adama Traore putting Boro 2-
0 up before Chris Martin pulled one back in vain.
“There were a couple of situations in the build-up to the first goal where we should have done better in blocking the ball or tracking,” said the Royals boss.
“We could have avoided that one.
“Then we gave another goal away with a loose pass.
“It makes it very difficult for yourself to get back into the game.
“It’s not the first time I’ve said that. That’s quite frustrating, how we’re conceding goals.”
Royals now have a 10-day break before visiting Nottingham Forest and they have jetted off to Spain this week for a training camp.
