Reading manager Jaap Stam is hoping to right the wrongs of the 2-0 loss against Arsenal in the EFL Cup.
Reading manager Jaap Stam
Reading manager Jaap Stam has insisted his side will try and learn from the errors that cost them during their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
In an interview with the official Reading website, the Dutchman spoke of his side’s disregard for keeping possession, particularly in the case of the first Arsenal goal. Midfielder Joey van den Berg gifted the ball to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who weaved past the defenders and stroked it into the bottom corner.
Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scores their first goal
From then on, it was an uphill struggle for the Royals as Arsenal seized control and eventually ran out as 2-0 winners on a night where the visitors rarely looked threatening.
But Stam has already identified the need to learn from this game and, speaking to the Reading website, said: “Sometimes you lose the ball. And against a side like Arsenal, they’re deadly up front. If you play possession and have time on the ball, you need to be very accurate in your passing and in what you’re doing.
“We need to learn from that, and make decisions not to play that ball at times, look for a different solution.”
The Royals currently lie eighth in the Championship and Stam will be hoping that they keep the ball in a more effective manner against their next opponents on Saturday – Arsenal’s previous EFL Cup opponents Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal’s Chuba Akpom in action with Nottingham Forest’s Michael Mancienne
Reading have not won a game in which they have failed to keep a clean sheet since mid-September and so will also be looking to keep it tight at the back against Forest, where they may test out the stars who impressed last night, such as 20-year-old Liam Kelly or 19-year-old Tennai Watson.
Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny in action with Reading’s Liam Kelly
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
