Reading FC set up to stifle Sheffield Wednesday and silence Hillsborough crowd, admits Jaap Stam

Reading boss Jaap Stam admitted his side's gameplan at Hillsborough last night was to frustrate, on the pitch and in the stands - and it worked.
Reading boss Jaap Stam on the touchline at HillsboroughReading boss Jaap Stam on the touchline at Hillsborough
Reading boss Jaap Stam on the touchline at Hillsborough

The Royals came away with all three points after a 2-0 win in the match between two of the Championship's play-off rivals, after an early goal from Yann Kermorgant and a late one on the breakaway from Adrian Popa.

The performance from the visitors was far from aesthetically pleasing - Kermorgant's opener provided the invitation they needed to sit tight and become hard to break down. Throw in a fair amount of time-wasting and cynical play and it was little wonder that frustration was pouring out of Hillsborough.

Sam Winnall is scythed down by Reading's Liam MooreSam Winnall is scythed down by Reading's Liam Moore
Sam Winnall is scythed down by Reading's Liam Moore
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It's been a fight and I'm very proud of my team," said Stam. "In these games it's going to be very tight, especially away from home and we knew it was going to be very hard. We also knew what we could do to make it hard for them. We scored a very good early goal and they gave us time to play. They had their chances as well, which is normal.

"Part of our game plan was to keep the ball and make them impatient. We succeeded in doing that. We defended, kept it very tight and didn't give them a lot of space to play."

READ/WATCH MORE