JAAP Stam believes Reading FC fans have a vital role to play as the club aims to return to the Premier League.

More than 1,200 supporters travelled to Tuesday night’s 2-1 victory at Swindon Town, a result which maintained the club’s perfect record under the Dutchman.

And speaking after the victory at the County Ground, the former Manchester United legend paid tribute to the loyal Royals.

He admitted: “There were a lot of fans and I’m very happy with them. They did very well throughout the game, they supported the team and that’s what we need.

“Everybody knows the fans are very important for Reading and for the team.

“When the team has a difficult time on the pitch, if the fans are there it can give an extra boost to give that extra push to perform and get good results.”

He continued: “The feeling of the whole staff when we spoke about the fans is very positive.

“They can dig you out of a bad situation, they’re very important for a club.

“Of course you want to perform well, to win your games and ideally with a lot of goals, but sometimes there are going to be difficult times when you’re up against opponents who are very strong with quality players.

“When the fans back you up they can give that extra push to win a game or to draw a game. They’re very important for us.”

A young Reading side, featuring seven Academy graduates in the starting line-up, recovered from going behind on the stroke of half-time to hit back with victory coming thanks to goals from Deniss Rakels and Jack Stacey.

A delighted Stam added: “The overall feeling is very satisfied. I think we did well.

"Especially the last 20-25 minutes we pressed them very high up the pitch, won a lot of balls, created some good chances and eventually scored two goals to win the game.

“I’m very happy with what the youngsters have done. We want to give them a stage to perform and this was the ideal moment for them to show the fans and everyone at the ground and the staff. They had a very good performance.”

The new manager has now won his first three friendly games in charge and said he is trying to instil a winning mentality at the club.

He confessed: “If you play a friendly game and you’re on the pitch you want to win the game, every game you can. That’s the mentality that we need within the club.”

Reading's next pre-season friendly is this Saturday when they travel to Kingsmeadow to take on AFC Wimbledon (3pm ko).