Reading attacker admits he has much to learn if he is to succeed in his new position

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Jaap Stam has introduced a series of changes since taking over at the Madejski and time will tell whether Yann Kermorgant will benefit.

Reading forward Yann Kermorgant has told the BBC that he needs to adapt his game if he is to fulfil his new ‘target man’ role under Jaap Stam this season.

Eyebrows were raised when former Manchester United and Holland defender Stam took over at the Madejski this summer despite his minimal managerial experience.

However, Reading have impressed in recent weeks as they continue to adapt to the former Ajax coach’s possession-based philosophy, the likes of John Swift and Joey Van den Berg in particular thriving in a proactive system.

Despite the encouraging signs, French attacker Kermorgant, renowned for his impressive leap and tireless work rate, admits that he has much to learn if he is to prove a success in his new position.

“It’s the first time I think I’ve played upfront on my own,” the Frenchman told the BBC. “I’ve have to keep trying to adapt to my new position and keep getting in good positions to score goals.”

“It’s a different kind of play, where you have to learn to play higher rather than dropping back. I’m having to think about attacking more than defending.”

The stats appear to justify Stam’s experiment thus far.

Kermorgant has won 5.7 aerial duals per game this season, according to WhoScored, with only towering frontmen Matt Smith and Rudy Gestede registering a higher tally from a striking position.

However, the former Bournemouth and Charlton hitman will need to up his tally of two goals and one assist from 10 league appearances if he is to become a permanent fixture in the role long-term.