Reading head coach Jaap Stam has told the Reading Chronicle that they are expecting some tough games in their next few matches.

The Royals came within a penalty shoot out of getting promoted to the Premier League last season but things haven’t been going well so far this year. They have gone on some poor runs of form and they are currently 20th in the Sky Bet Championship, sitting just five points above the relegation zone. This has led to there being some pressure on Stam.

And it isn’t going to get any easier by Stam’s own admission as he believes they have a very tough run of games coming up. Their next match sees Reading travel to Derby County and after the international break they will be facing Wolves. There are also games against Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley before November ends, meaning it is going to be a battle to get the wins they need.

He said: “You always want to keep that momentum of winning games, but it is not easy,”

“We need to understand we are facing very good teams like Nottingham Forest who play very good football.”

“Middlesbrough is a very good team, they just came down from the Premier League, while Derby are always going for promotion every season in terms of how they have invested.”

“We are trying to get there but we are not in a place to say we need to go up straight away this season, or because of last season we need to finish third again.”

“We need to work very hard to get results, and it’s not easy for us.”

“We go to Derby on Saturday and of course we will go for it again and try to get that result. They will make it difficult for us, though after this win on Tuesday hopefully we will go there with confidence.”