JAAP STAM is confident goals are just around the corner for Yann Kermorgant after the striker drew another blank against Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Frenchman, who has netted just three goals in 22 appearances for Reading, is yet to score this term.
But the 34-year-old came agonisingly close to ending that run in the 2-2 draw with the Seagulls when he first headed against the crossbar before seeing a spectacular overhead kick saved by David Stockdale.
“He is getting closer,” said Stam.
“Yann is a goalscorer and he is the type of player who is working very hard for the team.
“He is doing well defensively in his work as well.
“He is the type of striker that needs to score goals in the box as well.
“People need to feed him and give him balls from the sides.
“You saw that against Brighton, we tried to give the ball to Garath (McCleary) and into Roy (Beerens) from the sides and then bring them into the box and you need to have bodies in the box to score a goal.
“Yann was there a couple of times on Saturday and was very close to scoring but unfortunately it didn’t go in.”
One big talking point from the weekend was off the pitch where Manchester United defender Tyler Blackett was spotted in the stands having been linked with move to Berkshire.
But Stam refused to confirm whether or not a deal was close.
“I don’t know (if he will join),” said the boss.
“We are still looking for a couple of signings.
“I know Tyler a bit, not personally but what he can do and the type of player he is, where he can play and what position but I don’t know if it is going to happen for us to be fair.
“(Maybe he was here because) I think he likes good football!
“We’ve shown our interest but I don’t know if we can succeed in getting him into the club.”
One man who has sealed his moved to Reading is Leicester City centre-back Liam
Moore.
In one of the more protracted transfer sagas this summer, Royals have tied up a deal for the 23-year-old on a four-year contract.
And Stam hopes he will be available to make his debut in tomorrow night’s EFL Cup clash with MK Dons, which would be good timing given Joey van den Berg’s suspension.
“I’m very happy that Liam has joined Reading,” said Stam.
“He can boost our squad.
“The type of player that he is with his physique, with his pace and qualities on the ball, the aggresiveness that he can show in the game, we need players like that.
“He has played a couple of games with the Under-23s at Leicester.
“He has been training as well so we’ll get him in and test him of course but we assume that he’s fit.
“Hopefully he will play midweek in the cup game.”
