Jaap Stam said it could have been even better for Reading after their drew 0-0 with Championship leaders Newcastle United at Madejski Stadium this evening.
While the game remained goalless, chances came and went at both ends right until the final whistle when Garath McCleary hit the crossbar.
And Stam feels his side could have taken more than a point, but also revealed some worrying injury news.
On the game…
I think we played very well. We were very patient on the ball and against a side like
Newcastle, who come over here to get a result but basically play very defensively and look to play on the counter-attack, it’s going to be hard to create loads of chances.
They’ve got players with quality and pace up front who can score goals and they’ve shown that in the last two games. We got warned first half but I still think we did OK and in the second half we totally dominated the game basically, kept our composure on the ball and made them run.
We only had about three opportunities in the second half and we should’ve scored one but we didn’t and that’s why it’s a draw. I’m very happy with the performance of the team today.
On Newcastle…
I think we were stronger today than Newcastle were. We are confident in what we can do and we could’ve done a little bit better today. We just need to keep on going and it’s going to be a totally different game on Saturday.
On if he is happy with a point…
I always want to win. We are not saying before this game, if we get at least get a point then that will be nice.
Every game we play, we are trying to create a plan to try to win the game. Of course we are happy with the point against a side like Newcastle but in the way we played, I could say
maybe we could’ve got a bit more. But maybe the manager from Newcastle will say that as well.
On Liam Moore’s injury…
Liam Moore has got a problem with his hamstring. He has been very important throughout the season defensively, he has been a rock. It’s a shame that he’s out. Tomorrow we need to have a look how bad the injury is and then we can say OK, what are we going to do.
On any players returning for the weekend…
Reece joined the group this week. He’s only had one training session so we need to look at him over the next couple of days. Callum Harriott is still out, Stephen Quinn is still out, Tiago Ilori is still out with a knee injury, Liam Kelly has got a bit of a hamstring injury as well, Liam Moore is out. That’s the importance of having a big squad.
Deniss (Rakels) played yesterday. Yakou Meite played one half and Joseph Mendes as well so they are all available to take in the squad to Preston.
