JAAP STAM says Reading gave away “easy goals” as his side were soundly beaten 3-0 against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex.
Royals fell behind through Sam Baldock’s first half strike and two counter-attack goals from Jamie Murphy and Anthony Knockaert after the restart put the nail in the coffin.
And Stam says there is plenty to work on at both ends of the pitch.
On losing 3-0…
It was a difficult game. Easy goals for them and not scoring yourself in a couple of occasions makes it hard for yourself as well. If you concede three goals from the counter attack basically, you know with the qualities they have, you’re not doing it well and you’re not clever enough at certain times, then you make it easy for them.
On frustration at conceding similar goals…
We had a lot of possession and in the first half Roy Beerens had a very good chance from very close range. We concede a goal by that ball forward. The second goal they scored, we had a set piece and they came out on the break. Normally you make a foul in the middle of the pitch and then the game’s dead and you get into your shape again, but we didn’t do it and they break out and score the second goal. The third one as well, it’s easy goals and against teams with the qualities they have, you’re going to make it very hard for yourself.
On promotion hopes…
We need to be realistic at where we are in the process in growing as a team. Brighton has been working for a couple of seasons already trying to go up and this is our first season. We’re still in the top six but towards the end of the season it’s not going to be easy.
If you’re performing well and doing well, everybody starts talking about promotion. We came from a long way, we’ve done very well. It’s difficult to finish the season in the first two positions in the league but also the top six. Everybody wants to be there.
On if today was a missed opportunity…
If you look at the scores you can say it’s a missed opportunity, but we didn’t play a pub team today. We played against a very good side so it’s not like everybody else had a draw so we need to win this game. We played against Brighton who are top of the Championship. They’ve got a very good side.
