UNDER-PRESSURE boss Jaap Stam has warned disgruntled Reading fans not to expect big spending from the club in the January transfer window.
Royals have endured a nightmare festive period, now winless in six games and were booed off after Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat to struggling Birmingham City at Madejski Stadium.
However, despite Reading slipping to 18th in the Championship table and only four points off the relegation zone, Stam is not expecting a raft of arrivals.
“There’s nothing in the pipeline as far as I’m concerned,” said the Royals boss when asked if any deals were close.
“You’re always looking for quality in the squad, that’s what everybody’s doing.
“It’s always nice to have extra quality in the team.
“I spoke to Ron (Gourlay, chief executive) and Brian (Tevreden, director of football) but it’s not like we can spend a lot of money now in January, no.
“We need to be creative in January if we want to do something.”
One way to try and generate funds could be in the form of player departures with Reading boasting a bloated squad now that the injury list is starting to ease.
Star defender Liam Moore has been linked with a move away for most of the season, while Romanian international Adrian Popa is expected to leave having started just nine games since joining the club a year ago.
Many fans have been making their voices heard both in the stadium and online that they want a new man in charge to oversee such changes.
And Stam queried the supporters’ motive and feels it is harming the team on the pitch.
“You need to ask them what they expect,” he said.
“I don’t know. They’re entitled to react in a way they want to.
“It doesn’t make it easier for us or for the team to perform.
“Booing now and then cheering again when hopefully everything goes well? For the same players? I don’t know, it’s how it works.”
