JAAP Stam hit back at the Reading FC boo-boys following his side’s nervy EFL Cup victory against MK Dons.

Stam and his players were jeered by a section of supporters during Tuesday night’s second-round clash at Madejski Stadium.

Shouts of ‘boring, boring Royals’ could be clearly heard as the hosts struggled to break down Karl Robinson’s young League One visitors, who were packed with Academy players.

Stam’s men eventually went through on penalties after the tie finished 2-2 after 120 minutes, but he was clearly angered by the criticism they received.

“Booing by the fans I can understand,” he admitted. “They say ‘we want you to go forward,’ but you need to take into consideration the fact that if you play a certain style and for possession against an opponent who is dropping in all the time, you need to be patient.

“Sometimes players feel it [the criticism] and hear it, I know that as well. But if you keep playing long balls you are going to lose it most of the time.

“If that happens you need to chase the ball to win it back and you don’t want to keep doing that.

“If you use up all your energy chasing the ball you will get tired. You need to keep it, find the gaps and create chances.”

Stam is determined to bring his own brand of football to the Madejski Stadium based heavily on possession.

Yet the policy appeared to be wearing thin with some fans on Tuesday night as Royals laboured to victory over lower-league opposition.

However, Stam is confident his fresh approach and style of play will serve Reading well in the long run.

“In one way I can understand the fans, but we know what we are working towards and how we want to play, and the players know that as well,” said the ex-Netherlands and Manchester United defender.

“Sometimes fans react in a certain way, but they have been great for us.

“They have done very well and have been cheering for us, but we have to think about the system we want to play which is with a lot of patience, especially when you come up against a team like MK Dons.”

Reading’s win came at a price as Deniss Rakels and Liam Kelly sustained serious injuries, throwing Stam’s plans into chaos.

“We had bad injuries to Deniss and Liam which made substitutions difficult in extra time,” he explained.

“Jake Cooper also got injured so we had to put him up front and George Evans at centre back.

“Tennai Watson was also having a difficult time with cramp which can happen when players aren’t playing regularly.

“But that’s why these games are ideal for players like him because it helps them get into a rhythm and improves their fitness because players can look good in training but it’s not 90 minutes of football.”

Stam also spoke of his relief at reaching the EFL Cup third round where Royals will travel to Brighton.

“When you play a cup game against quality opponents it can take 120 minutes to win a game,” he stated. “Most of the time when you start these games well, start aggressively and create chances you want to finish it off as quickly as you can.

“But we couldn’t do that and the injuries we picked up made it even harder. You could see players were very tired.

“However, we got through and we’re relieved to be in the next round.”

Reading travel to Cardiff City in the Championship tomorrow (3pm).