Reading FC Manager Jaap Stam On Win At Bristol City: We Needed To Stick To The Plan

What a result and what a way to start 2017! It was a brilliant fightback by the boys after being 2-0 down to Bristol City, with the Royals coming back to win 3-2 to remain third in the table.

Late goals from Liam Kelly and Yann Kermorgant meant that Jaap Stam went home a very happy man, he told the official club website:

"I'm very proud of the team and of what they've done.

"We conceded the first goal because we didn't do well in the build up, Then, right at the start of the second half, we concede that second goal.

"But the spirit we have in this team... we always keep on going. The self-belief we have in the side means we believe we can get a result against every team.

"It's a great win and it's a big compliment to the team because they stuck to the plan when, so often, you see teams get impatient when they are trying to come from behind... taking risks and playing balls they normally wouldn't.

"But our team didn't do that, they played it very well, the subs come on and did well and it paid off with three points. We're very pleased with that."

Defending wasn't our strong point during this game, which meant that Bristol City were able to get a 2 goal advantage, but Liam Kelly and Jordan Obita came on and changed the game.

Kelly scored his first goal for the Royals. Kermorgant struck twice to send the fans into raptures!

Stam added:

"We dominated the opposition and it gave us confidence. You hear people say that possession is not good enough sometimes - but if you have quality on the ball and your passing is good, you make your runs at the right time, the opposition gets tired, you get chances and eventually - if you do it well - you score goals.

"In the first half, we dominated possession but we were sometimes careless on the ball, gave it away too easily and they broke on the counter attack. They had quality in midfield to press at the right time, they had quality up front with Abraham who makes his run and is a threat in one v ones on the ball.

"We spoke about that this morning in our meeting, but still it happened. And we needed to step it up. That's what we were looking to do at the start of the second half, but immediately after the whistle you concede the second goal.

"We'd had two great chances in the first half as well - Danny Williams could have got one and Yann hit the crossbar. So we knew we just needed to play our game better.

"We needed to stick to the plan in the movement we were making up front and in midfield with quality passes, quick play - that that's what they did in the second half... right to the end of the game. And it paid off."

Next up for the Royals is just a trip to the Theatre of Dreams to face Manchester United. Can Jaap cause a shock on his welcome back to Old Trafford?

URZ!