With the Championship season now fully up and running, we take a look at one risky managerial appointment that now looks like a perfect fit.
Reading’s Yann Kermorgant attempts an overhead kick
The last couple of years have made for difficult watching for supporters of Reading Football Club. After their most recent fall from the Premier League, Reading fans have had to sit through a succession of managers; Adkins, Clarke, McDermott, who have all struggled to get the team playing with intent, failing to entertain the club’s loyal fan-base.
After a change in ownership, many Reading supporters agreed, after the end of Brian McDermott’s second sorry spell in charge, that a new lease of life needed injecting into the Royals. Enter, Jaap Stam.
Reading manager Jaap Stam
After spending a few years building up his coaching portfolio in the Netherlands, Stam has taken like a duck to water to his first major managerial role, and appears to have brought a little bit of the Ajax style to his Reading side.
Picking up seven league wins from their first eleven matches, Stam’s Reading sit comfortably on the edge of the play-off places: a sight Reading fans haven’t been used to of late. However, it’s what’s happening on the pitch that will have Reading fans the most excited.
Reading’s manager Jaap Stam
Stam has drastically changed the style of play at the Madjeski stadium. The 4-2-3-1, that Stam appears to favour, is a fluid and free-flowing adaptation on this commonly used system. The wide players are often seen stretching the play out to the flanks and their new number 10, John Swift, plays with a huge amount of freedom, allowing him to be as creative as he can be.
It’s the energy however, that stands as the most obvious change under Stam. In their previous fixture against Derby County, Reading pressed the opposition from start to finish and, despite falling behind, the Royals never gave up, eventually forcing what seemed like an inevitable equaliser.
Reading’s Ali Al Habsi celebrates their second goal
Under Jaap Stam, the placid, easy-to-roll-over Reading that many got used to watching, has gone. What remains, is a group of hungry, revitalised young players, all pulling in the same direction under a one of the most exciting new managers in the Championship.
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