JAAP Stam was happy to put results before performance after Reading FC defeated Barnsley for their first win in four Championship matches.

Goals from Dave Edwards and Joey van den Berg put Royals in control at the break.

And while Barnsley rallied in the second-half, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson stepped off the bench to add a third a minute from time and wrap up the victory.

It was the first time this season Jaap Stam had picked an unchanged side as they followed up Saturday's 0-0 home draw with Sheffield Wednesday with another clean sheet to climb to 16th in the Championship table.

And the Dutchman argued Royals have not always had the results their performances warranted.

"I was very pleased with the result tonight, but it wasn't as good as the last couple of weeks in terms of how we played," he said.

"Now I am making stories for you, but sometimes you don't play your best football but still win games which is very important. We had that quite often last season.

"But when you win a game everything looks good.

"We created opportunities and were a threat going forward. We scored three goals.

"I also thought the players looked a bit fatigued after Saturday and not as fresh and sharp as the last game.

"Sometimes that happens, so you really need to work hard and dig deep to get results which is what we did tonight."

And he stressed: "We are always very critical of our performances and we're always looking at the details and what we can improve.

"I think we could have done better tonight but maybe because of how our players felt, I think we can do more."

Reading Chronicle:

Dave Edwards heads Reading in front against Barnsley.

Reading were in such control in the first half that Tykes boss Paul Heckingbottom made a triple change at the break.

The visitors upped their game in the second period and saw Harvey Barnes hit the post late on.

But Reading's Liam Moore had also struck the woodwork moments before and Bodvarsson wrapped things up with a third goal a minute before the end.

"Barnsley made three subs at half time, put two up front and had a few situations in our box," explained Stam.

"But I thought we defended very well as a team, put a lot of energy into it and worked very hard.

"To keep a clean sheet and score three goals means we are happy.

"We've raised the bar and set certain standards. It's how you improve and get results."

Van den Berg's 30-yard screamer in the 28th minute was undoubtedly the goal of the night, and Stam suggested the defensive midfielder has that in his locker.

"He tries a lot in training and sometimes he's very close," he stated. "But we always tell midfielders and even defenders that if you have the ball and there's space in front of you then have a shot.

"Joey has the ability to do that, he showed it today.

"He was still looking for that final pass to put someone else in, but when you get that close to the edge of the box then you take your own initiative and have a shot.

"It was a great goal for him and very good for the team as well."

Finally, Stam also insisted his intentions are always to pick an unchanged side wherever possible, but that injuries have forced his hand throughout this season.

"It's always about what players are available and how fit they are after the previous game," he said.

"We've had games in the past where players have problems with a groin, a hamstring, an ankle or a knee which changes everything.

"It's not that we don't want to play the same 11, of course we do.

"But the good thing about our team is that everybody knows how to play in their position, that's how we work, that's what we did last season.

"Hopefully you want to keep using players who have done well which brings results, but if there are injuries you are forced to make changes which is how it's been for the past couple of months if I'm honest."