Stam Positive Despite Reading FC's 4-1 Defeat at Newcastle United

The Royals had a disappointing Wednesday up in Newcastle after a 4-1 defeat against the favourites to win the Championship.

But, it's not all doom and gloom, it was a good performance, but Newcastle were just the better team on the evening. Newcastle took the lead in the first half from Isaac Hayden before Garath McCleary equalised right on half time from the penalty spot. Matt Richie regained the lead through a penalty for Newcastle, before Dwight Gayle scored a brace.

Jaap Stam was proud of the performance the Royals gave, he told the official club website:

"We should have got something out of the game and we deserved a lot more than a 4-1 loss.

"If you look at the game overall, I think we were the better team. In terms of the style of play, the intent we showed, what we did on the pitch, I think we can be very proud of the guys.

"We earned possession, created a couple of good chances, got forward well - so I'm very happy with that. And if we work like we did, play like we did today, I'm sure we're going to be winning a lot of games across the course of the season.

"We performed much,much better than we did at Wolves. And the players know that. I've spoke to the team and they agree - they know it was a much better performance.

"Everybody in Newcastle will see the scoreline and say they were the better team - but they weren't. But the score is all important, that's what wins you points and they scored goals which makes the difference."

Man in the middle

Referee Andrew Madley had an interesting evening, firstly awarding a penalty to Reading, but secondly, giving a debatable/not really sure what the penalty was for decision to Newcastle, which Richie slotted away to put the Magpie's ahead, Stam said about the Newcastle penalty:

"It was a clash between a couple of players, they fell over, their player fell over as well, and he gave an easy penalty.

"After that he could have given us a penalty, he should have given us a penalty, but he didn't. He just waved it away when Garath went down. And after that you know it's going to be difficult.

"I'm not looking for excuses, because I'm very proud of what the team have showed today. But referees are important, they can make or break a game. And I think the referee had a bad day today, making a few decisions I found very harsh."

Next up is a difficult home fixture against high flying Brighton, Stam added:

"We conceded goals by conceding stupid fouls and free-kicks and I told the guys we need to work on not conceding goals like this. If you are not sharp enough with second balls or headers from corners, and if you give penalties away, you know you're making life difficult for yourself. The goals we are conceding, they are down to our own mistakes.

"But in a way, it's good we have so many games in this division. When you lose, the players want to play again, want to win again. And we will be trying to win against Brighton on Saturday."