PAUL Clement believes surviving tough times at Reading FC will benefit him in the long run as he prepares to take charge of his 100th game as manager.

Clement is determined to turn his team’s fortunes around after a poor start to the Championship campaign.

Royals lie in 22nd place with three wins from 15 games including nine defeats amid speculation that Steve Bruce is being lined up as his replacement.

However, Clement says he is ready to roll up his sleeves and fight to the end ahead of successive home games against Bristol City tomorrow (3pm ko) and basement boys Ipswich Town a week later.

"I think it's my 100th game as manager on Saturday,” said the ex-Derby and Swansea boss.

“There have been ups and downs. Losing my job at Derby was really disappointing, but there was a period when we were top of the table.

"It was the same at Swansea. When I went there we had 12 points then we get another 29 and it was a remarkable turnaround to maintain our status in the Premier League.

"The next season wasn't so good and I lost my job there as well.

"Here, it was great to keep the team in the league last season. There wasn't fantastic elation, but I did what I needed to do.

"Now we're in a period where I think we should be doing better.

“It's very frustrating and a challenge time, but I'm determined to let it bring the best out of me."

Clement has a win ratio of 34.3% from his 99 games as a manager.

But his record with Reading (24%) is far worse than it was when in charge of Derby (42.4%) and Swansea (34.1%) since he replaced Jaap Stam in March.

Royals have lost four of their last five league fixtures and Clement admitted results must quickly improve.

"I don't think it's just one thing, but we have to defend better, put everything we've got onto the pitch and be good in all areas,” he argued.

"Saying that, we've still got to attack and try to score goals.

"What I want to see is players leave blood and sweat on that pitch and give absolutely everything.

"I know if players do that and I can see it in their eyes then I am more than happy to continue to work with them."

Clement has a number of injury concerns for tomorrow with leading striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson ruled out and goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola and full-back Andy Yiadom both doubts.

And he expects nothing less that a tough afternoon against Lee Johnson’s 11th-placed Robins.

"They've been a little bit up and down,” added Clement. “They shot right up to second after seven or eight games then it fell away. They're a good, organised team with players who know their jobs and can mix up their style.

"They put a lot of crosses into the box and we expect a very difficult game and prepare to face to face the very best Bristol City."

Clement is also desperate for another clean sheet as Reading’s only shut-out of the campaign came in a 3-0 home win against Hull City.

"Our goalscoring record is not fantastic but it's satisfactory and certainly good enough to be a mid-table team,” he continued. “Bristol City have scored one less than us. We're doing reasonably well on the offensive side.

"Clearly, we're conceding too many goals and not enough clean sheets. We haven't conceded a massive number of goals except for the West Brom game. We're not an awful defensive side but clean sheets give you a fantastic chance to get results because we can score goals."

He added: "We've been working on defensive structure and organisation this week, all the principles of defending, and hopefully we'll see it on Saturday."