READING FC midfielder Dave Edwards believes the club’s hierarchy made the correct call in replacing Jaap Stam with Paul Clement.

Royals’ Chinese owners called an end on Stam’s tenure at Madejski Stadium following a barren run of one win in 18 games.

Former Welsh international Edwards admitted he questioned the timing of Stam’s departure with the season already drawing to a close.

But he stressed new boss Clement has already had a positive influence on the training ground and believes it was the right time for Stam to go.

“It has been a really good week,” said Edwards.

“Paul Clement has managed to get his ideas across and we’ve taken it onboard. We’re in a real positive mood now going in to tomorrow night.

“I was surprised (at the timing of Stam’s departure), there were earlier times when I could sense they might do something.

“It seemed like the club stuck with the manager for so long that at this point, with eight games to go it might be counter productive.

“With the results that had just gone on and after a conversation with Jaap they probably felt it was the right time to make the change.

“From the work which has gone on this week it’s been a positive reaction so my initial thoughts of leaving it so long might not be a good thing have changed.

“Now I think it probably was the right thing to do.”

Stam lost his job after Reading’s 3-2 defeat against Norwich City at Carrow Road last week.

Royals took little time in announcing Clement as his replacement with the 47-year-old penning a three-year deal last Friday.

But Edwards admitted Stam will be sorely missed.

“He was very popular in the dressing room, even more so from the lads that had all the success under him last season. I came in at a time when things weren’t going so well.

“I they think the owners made the change with a heavy heart, everyone wanted Jaap to succeed and to be fair to the owners a lot of other clubs would have acted a lot sooner. But with one win in 18 there’s nobody in football that can argue with that.

“Only time will tell if it was the right call but it has definitely allowed us to have a more positive week on the training pitch with a fresh voice and all the things that go along with that.”

Royals have enjoyed four full training sessions ahead of Clement’s debut against Queens Park Rangers tomorrow (Friday, 5.30pm ko).

Rangers sit 15th place, five places and 11 points above Reading, and Edwards stressed the players will need to be at their best to end their dismal run of form.

He concluded: “I’ve been really impressed by the way Paul coaches, his tactics and the way he wants us to play.

“On their day QPR can be a very good team and we have to expect them to be at their best.

“If you look at their recent results, they have done really well.

“If we can match them in the footballing basics like work-rate, desire and passion along with gritty determination to win a game of football then hopefully our tactics and ability will come to fruition.”

“Hopefully with the change in manager we can start everything off on a positive note.

Royals have won on a Saturday all season, and Edwards quipped: “It’s good we’re not playing on a Saturday too but that record needs to be broken.”