SWIFT START FOR JAAP’S NEW ERA
READING manager Jaap Stam says he has a player of outstanding potential in John Swift after the midfielder inspired his side to an opening-day victory.
Swift smashed the ball into the top right-hand corner of Anders Lindegaard’s net when he connected with Garath McCleary’s corner to give the Royals a valuable half-time lead.
Daniel Johnson spurned a glorious chance to snatch a point for the visitors when he fired straight at Ali Al-Habsi, but that was the only chance worthy of note for the visitors.
Stam said: “Swift showed great technique and composure to score a goal of that quality. He’s integrated really well and already has a good understanding with his team-mates.
“It’s not just about one player though, we’ve got players here that can win games – that’s for sure.
“Preston are a tough side and it was hard to break them down.
“The goal was a training ground routine and sometimes you have to be creative to score goals like that when you are struggling.
“Our first-half performance was excellent and that was very much how I want us to play. But it’s only the first game of the season.”
The Royals opened the renamed Eamonn Dolan stand and observed a minute’s applause in his memory before kick-off.
And the late academy manager would have been proud to see three of his youth-team products named as substitutes in Stam’s first competitive match in charge of the club.
Stam also handed out debuts to Joey van den Berg, Roy Beerens and former Chelsea midfielder Swift, while for the visitors Simon Grayson decided to start summer signings Ben Pringle and Liam Grimshaw.
Reading started quickly and could have been ahead inside five minutes when McCleary teed up Beerens from the by-line but the Dutchman missed his kick from 15 yards.
Preston regrouped and had the ball in the net in the 13th minute but Joel Garner was adjudged to have handled when he set up Jermaine Beckford in the six-yard box.
After Swift’s strike, Preston should have equalised in the 54th minute when Johnson intercepted a loose pass in midfield and found himself with only Al-Habsi to beat but the Omani parried away.
Rakels then spurned an opportunity where it seemed harder to miss in the 65th minute, firing straight at a sprawling Lindegaard from six yards after Swift found him with a sublime cross.
The Lilywhites could have salvaged a point eight minutes from time when Pringle’s free-kick found Paul Huntington.
The centre-back flicked the ball into the path of Greg Cunningham, who was inches away from prodding home.
And Grayson admitted: “Second half we could’ve got something out of it.
“We looked a few yards off the pace, though. We just didn’t press them high enough or quick enough.
“We allowed good players to get into a rhythm and that’s very dangerous.
“We did improve a bit in the second half but we still struggled to create any meaningful opportunities.
“When you have a chance presented to yourself like with Johnson’s you’ve got to punish teams at this level.
“We ended up chasing our tails a bit but it’s only the first game of the season.”