READING FC midfielder Dave Edwards vowed to improve after a frustrating start to life in Berkshire.

The 32-year-old, who recently retired from international duty with Wales, gave an honest assessment of his life as a Royal so far.

Edwards was in and out of the starting XI under former boss Jaap Stam but was handed a start in Paul Clement's first game in charge against Queens Park Rangers.

And the honest midfielder admitted he struggled to settle in at Madejski Stadium and hopes Clement's appointment will help him rediscover his scintillating best.

“It’s a great chance and a clean slate," beamed Edwards.

“I definitely didn’t do enough in my time here so far to be worthy of starting every week.

“I’ve underperformed, I had to get used to a new manager and a new system as well as a style of play which was different to anything I was used to.

“I was trying to adapt to that. All the excuses aside I don’t think I performed well enough on matchdays.

“I just hope that now everything is more settled on the pitch and I’m more used to living down here in Berkshire I can take that positivity on to the pitch and produce some good enough performances to justify Reading bringing me here."

Edwards spent 10 years at Molineux as a Wolverhampton Wanders player before switching to Reading earlier this season.

He made 54 appearances for Wolves last season, scoring 10 goals.

Predominantly an attacking midfielder, Edwards often found himself playing a deeper role under Stam's stewardship.

“With Jaap Stam and his philosophy, it’s a very distinct style of play," admitted Edwards.

“You have to be confident playing in your own third. There are definitely players that it suits more than others. I will be honest that’s not something that really suited me.

“I tried really hard to adapt to it. I learned so much off of him in terms of football but if it doesn’t suit you it’s harder to go and implement it, especially if you don’t have the technical ability to do what the manager is asking you to do.”

Life under Paul Clement almost got off to a nightmare start for Edwards when he inadvertently hacked down Pawel Wszolek in the box, gifting Rangers a 91st minute penalty.

Reading Chronicle:

Edwards holds his head in his hands after gifting QPR a spot-kick

But shot-stopper Vito Mannone spared Edwards' blushes, palming Jake Bidwell's effort away and sending Madejski Stadium into raptures.

And the 31-year-old hopes to become a regular fixture in Paul Clement's first-team plans.

“Hopefully I can try and find some form which I had last year," he concluded.

"A lot has been taken into account in terms of the fact I was at a club for such a long time and everything was so settled.

"It was a big change for me and that’s influenced my football more than what I would have wanted it to.

"Hopefully I’ll get a chance under the new manager and when I do get the chance I need to take it.”