Burton Albion Football Club

But he was pleased with the quality of his team’s goals in their 4-2 win over Burton Albion.

Reading ensured that they finished third in the league with victory at the Pirelli Stadium to set up a tantalising play-off clash with Fulham, while the Brewers had already secured their Championship status with a 1-1 draw away to Barnsley in their final away game of the season. 

Joseph Mendes opened the scoring within the opening five minutes. Jordan Obita scored a stunning second for the Royals, before prolific veteran Yann Kermorgant added a third with a typically clinical finish. Burton hit back with goals from Ben Turner and Cauley Woodrow before Lewis Grabban made sure of the points for Reading. 

Stam was happy with the quality shown by his team in the game, but said that it was not an easy win.

“Yeah, they did [make us play for it], but we knew that in their last home game that you want a result in-front of your home fans, every team wants to have that,” said the former Manchester United defender.

“At times, they made it very difficult for us, but I thought that we scored four very good goals.”

The former Dutch international believes that his side are optimistic going into the play-offs with Fulham, who are one of the second-tier’s in-form sides.

“We are confident, we have always been confident in what we do,” he said.

“But it is always better and nicer when you go into the play-offs with a win instead of a bad result.

“So, we are happy, it is going to be two interesting games that we need to play against Fulham, they are a very good side, a good team, but so are we so we will see at the end of the day where we end up.”