Reading boss Jaap Stam is expecting a tough encounter against a ‘very physical’ Norwich City side on Saturday.

That is a description levelled at very few Canaries teams over the years but on the back of impressive 1-0 wins at Sheffield United and Middlesbrough, the former Manchester United defender is wary of Daniel Farke’s side.

The Royals have won just one of their last six games to sit 18th in the table ahead of City’s arrival at the Madejski Stadium, having lost on penalties to Huddersfield in last season’s play-off final, following a 2-1 loss at Millwall on Tuesday.

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“Everybody was disappointed not to get a win at Millwall, when this happens, there needs to be disappointment,” said Stam. “That goes for us and the fans – it’s not nice to lose games.

“But we all need to know that every game we play will be difficult. We can’t necessarily always do what we’ve done in previous games and last season. We need to work very hard. Everybody is really up for the game against Norwich and to hopefully get three points at home.

“We’re facing good teams and Norwich is a very strong team and very physical. On occasions last season we were happy with a draw, and now like last weekend against Hull we were thinking that a draw against a team that was in the Premier League last year isn’t enough. We’re expecting to win in every game, so the mentality has changed a bit with everybody.”

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With the Canaries travelling to Berkshire unbeaten in six games and having not conceded in any of their last five leagues games, Stam is demanding his team up their work rate.

“We need to work hard, dig deep, and eventually we will come out on top and get results again,” the Dutchman continued, speaking to his club’s website. “We always fight hard and try to dig deep – sometimes it goes better than others, but that’s the same for every job.

“The main thing for us and everybody around the club is to stay positive and help each other out, and I’m sure we’re going to get the wins again.”

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