Jaap Stam & Andries Ulderink Give Their Take On Reading FC's Pre-Season

With just two weeks before the first game of the 2016/17 season, it's time to start getting our serious heads on and get ready for what is ahead.

Pre-season so far has been pretty good, except yesterday, where we suffered a 2-0 defeat against AFC Wimbledon.

It has been a summer full of change, and none more so with Jaap Stam taking over the reigns, and the defeat today was his first as Reading manager. But pre season has been positive so far with victories against Borehamwood, Al-Taawoun in Holland and Swindon.

After the victory against Swindon Tuesday, Stam told GetReading, "The overall performance we were very happy with.

"This was an ideal situation for the youngsters to get used to playing at a certain level - to play against a team that plays in League 1, that plays good football.

"It was about showing they can handle not only the technical side of the game but the physical side as well.

"And they showed to everybody what they can do in a difficult game. We have to look at all the players. Not only the players who will start in the first XI - but players who will be in the squad as well. We need to have quality players in the squad.

"Not just experienced ones, but young talent ones as well. They need to show what they can do - that's why they need to play in these games.

"You can have a few wins in pre-season but that doesn't mean you are going to be winning the first game in the league.

"But for us it's good for confidence. It's good to have a couple of wins because it makes life a little easier."

Stam passed over press duties to assistant manager Andries Ulderink today as he gave his thought after the AFC Wimbledon defeat, he told the official club website:: "After ten seconds we were 1-0 down - it was a long ball from the kick-off and we were not good at that moment.

Then I think we got some control of the game, but then it was a long ball from the opposition and we didn't work well, and went 2-0 down. For the last 15 to 20 minutes before half - time we were quite good and created some chances - but of course you have to score.

"In the second half we were in the half of the opponent and created a couple of chances. But maybe it is good to have a defeat in pre-season. We were all very happy how things were going so far, and today we saw some things that were not that good. So maybe it is a good wake-up call for us."

The Royals take on Bournemouth at home on Friday evening before Preston become the first visitors to the Madejski on Saturday 6th August.