Stam urges Reading FC defenders to cut out costly mistakes

Royals boss Jaap Stam. Credit: Eddie Greville

Reading FC manager Jaap Stam has called on his defenders to stick to basics after errors cost them dear yet again at the weekend.

Royals were once again left to rue defensive mistakes in the 3-3 draw with Derby County on Saturday.

Tiago Ilori was at fault for two of the Derby goals, while the other saw Rams centre-back Richard Keogh unmarked in the middle of the area at a free kick, enabling him to slot home.

Stam says his players need to cut out the silly mistakes and get back to basics to avoid creating confusion and costing Reading points.

"Sometimes it’s black and white," said Royals' boss. "If they need to defend, [they should] defend and just kick the ball over the stand and that’s it.

"They shouldn't be thinking when the ball is in the air in the box to chest it down, control it and hold it up 10 times and then kick it out.

"It’s simple - sometimes players need to make decisions without thinking too much.

"Playing simple is the most difficult thing in football because players always want to do something extra or something different, always create something more or always give that pass that is going to decide the game."

Leandro Bacuna fights for possession against Derby. Credit: Eddie Greville

Stam admits players generally like to be more elaborate in their play but he says they must be wise in their choices on the field.

Reading goalkeeper Vito Mannone - along with defenders Chris Gunter, Liam Moore, Tiago Ilori and Omar Richards - all had nervous moments in possession during the clash against Derby County.

It resulted in the Rams pressing high up the field at every opportunity and forcing Royals into making silly mistakes, especially in the second half.

Stam added: "If you tell your players you can only have two touches, control it and play it simple, you can get simple opportunities and sometimes it’s easier to go forwards. But that’s not how football is, I know that.

"Sometimes it’s not always black and white. Players need to use their own brains and their own fantasy at times as well.

"They are free in doing that a bit higher up the pitch, but defending wise, defending set pieces, crosses, one-on-ones in their own half, they need to know what they need to do - win the ball and kick it out.

"Sometimes we need to do a bit more decisive defending wise."

Reading goalkeeper Vito Mannone. Credit: Eddie Greville

The Dutchman said being decisive on the field was not necessarily restricted to defending.

Reading had eight corners against the Rams but hardly any made it past the first man, with Sone Aluko the biggest culprit.

A frustrated Stam said: "Players just need to kick the ball a bit simpler over the top [at corners], it’s not that difficult.

"Sometimes players want to kick it with a lot of pace and if you want to do that the accuracy sometimes is not as good.

"You need to kick it over at least the first man if you want to be dangerous.

"If Mo Barrow, Sone Aluko or Liam Kelly take it [a corner], their ability is very good so they should be at times doing a little bit better."

Royals are back in action on Tuesday night when Sheffield United visit Madejski Stadium (8pm kick-off).

Don't forget to keep an eye out on our social media pages for more Royals news.

Our Twitter page is @getreadingfc and we are also on Facebook: Reading FC - Get Reading.