JAAP Stam accepted Reading FC were simply ‘outplayed’ by Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.

They crashed 3-0 at Molineux last night to leave them 19th in the table and a whopping 43 points behind title-chasing Wolves.

Matt Doherty broke Reading’s resistance in the 40th minute before ex-Royals loan striker Benik Afobe added a second just before the hour.

Royals, who failed to muster a single shot on target, shipped a third on 73 minutes when full-back Doherty scored his second of the night.

It was a comprehensive defeat for Stam’s men who have won just once in the last 17 league fixtures and are only six points above the relegation zone with a tough run ahead against a number of top teams.

And under-pressure Stam offered no excuse for his side’s lame defeat in the Midlands last night.

"They outplayed us, they have a very good team and very good players,” he said.

"You try and prevent them from scoring and we did that pretty well for 40 minutes.

"But going forward we weren't threatening enough or brave enough at times to go for it or play the ball into the box or make that run.

"They scored that first goal, dropped in a little bit, then looked to hit us with their pace and quality.

"We just didn't bring enough to be a threat."

Former Wolves striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson lived off scraps on his return to Molineux as Reading had only two shots all night, and none on target.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s host had 14 shots and eight on target as they coasted to victory.

Reading Chronicle:

Jaap Stam looks on from the Molineux touchline.

"We spoke about that when you have an opportunity to shoot you need to go for it,” added Stam. “You need to take people on. If you aren't doing that you are not taking the initiative and it's going to be tough.”

However, Stam insisted he will keep working hard with the players in a bid to stop the rot.

"Hopefully we can see an end,” he argued. “We all know the stats and we are trying to get more out of it.

"When the first goal went in you could see heads drop, but you need to try and get that equaliser and keep going forward. If you don't, it's difficult.

"It's not just about desire, you need to show more quality. You also need to show that you really want it."

Reading Chronicle:

Matt Doherty, centre, celebrates after putting Wolves ahead on Tuesday night.

A growing number of Reading fans are running out of patience with Stam - though it appears he still has the backing of the club's Chinese owners.

The Dutchman kept his emotions in check after Tuesday night’s defeat, though he revealed he is not always like that in the dressing room.

"I'm not very calm,” he declared. “It's frustrating how we concede goals but it's not only about defending as a team or an individual.

“When you go forward you really need to be resilient and take people on with intensity. If you don't against sides like Wolves it's going to be very hard.

"You have to work hard together and run your balls off to get a result."

Reading travel to Norwich City this Saturday (3pm ko) before a two week international break.