READING FC manager Jaap Stam has issued a glowing assessment of his squad as they prepare to start the Skybet Championship season at home to Preston North End tomorrow, writes Anthony Smith.

It has been a summer of change at Madejski Stadium, with the former Manchester United and AC Milan defender Stam replacing former boss Brian McDermott before going on to sign seven new players.

Royals rounded off their pre-season campaign with an impressive 1-1 draw against Premier League side AFC Bournemouth last Friday night, and Stam has been impressed at what he has seen since taking over the reins in June.

He revealed: “If I look at what the players have done over pre-season, I’ve learned the players never give up, always go for it and always do their best in every training session.

“Sometimes it is different in Holland, but I think it’s the mentality you need to have in the team and the club.

“First and foremost we need to work hard, that’s where you start. Then you try and combine that with the qualities and individual skills of the players.”

Stam’s arrival at the club has generated a positive feel among fans, but the Dutch legend has urged some caution that results may not arrive immediately.

He confessed: “We can all talk about what we want and obviously everyone wants us to win games.

“Our philosophy is to play winning, attractive and attacking football with a lot of possession to create chances and score goals.

“It doesn’t work all the time because you have an opponent of course and there are strong sides in the Championship, so it’s not going to be easy.

“But we are working hard for it and hopefully the way we play will make a difference.”

One thing which has pleased Stam following the summer makeover is the number of leaders he believes he has in the dressing room, with the manager stating: “You are also looking for certain combinations of players within the team, so you need some experienced players in order to communicate with the younger ones both off the pitch and very importantly on the pitch as well.

“I think we have those types of players now.

“Paul McShane, Yann Kermorgant, Joey van den Berg, Chris Gunter and Garath McCleary can all do it (the captaincy). I also think Danny Williams has the experience.”

And Royals’ 44-year-old manager said he cannot wait for the season to start when Preston arrive on Saturday.

He said: “I’m looking forward to sitting in the dugout and maybe we will have certain players in different positions which may be interesting.

“I’m looking forward to it and especially to playing at the Madejski Stadium and seeing certain players like Roy Beerens in action.”