3 things we learned from Reading v Fulham

No striker works for Reading

Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Matthew Childs Livepic

There were a few surprised faces around the Madejski Stadium when Jaap Stam named his starting eleven, given that there were no recognised strikers in the side, yet four were named on the bench.

Yet the system, which saw Garath McCleary and Roy Beerens lead the line, clearly worked for a Reading side that looked a threat every time they got into the final third.

McCleary’s pace caused the Fulham centre-back pair of Tomas Kalas and Tim Ream no end of problems, and even when the Royals went a bit more direct to the Jamaican international, his strength and aerial presence gave them a good outlet.

Goal-scorer Beerens had a quieter game but was more composed in the opposition box than previous matches, and took his finish well from just inside the penalty area.

The pace and directness of the front two worked for Reading last night, so don’t be at all surprised to see Stam use a similar system with similar personnel in the future.

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