A NEW system introduced by Reading FC boss Jaap Stam is sweeping across the town.

The Dutchman has brought his own fresh ideas to the Royals since his appointment in June.

And his possession-based approach is winning a growing army of admirers who are keen to copy the style.

Now, even local schools are introducing 'Stam-ball' into their own lessons.

Stam, 44, explained: “People come up to me all the time to say they like the way we play.

“They are happy with what we are trying to achieve. Sometimes it can be frustrating when you keep the ball and you are waiting for something to happen.

“But by doing that you are creating space for other players elsewhere on the pitch.”

He added: “I spoke to someone at the school my kids go to the other day. He was involved in the PE classes and he said their pupils are talking about playing like Reading instead of the Arsenals of this world by keeping possession and scoring goals.

“It's really nice to see that kids are picking up on things like that and talking about it. Sometimes it's negative, but other times it's positive.

“We play 4-3-3 but if we started going 4-4-2 and playing long balls or launching it, we will lose possession and the opposition has a chance.”

Royals have lost just one of their last 10 matches in all competition going into Saturday's clash against QPR at Loftus Road (3pm ko).

The squad trained together yesterday for the first time since the international break during which Chris Gunter (Wales), Paul McShane (Republic of Ireland), Danny Williams (USA), Sandro Wieser (Liechtenstein) and John Swift (England U21s) were all on duty.

Stam also welcomes Tyler Blackett back from suspension, and Royals boss admits he has some tough selection choices to make.

“We trained with almost a full squad on Thursday and now we are doing tactical work before making a decision on the team,” he said. “We also need to have a look at QPR before making the choice.

“They are a physical team and Loftus Road is small, narrow pitch where the crowd are right on top of you.

“We need to think how they may start the game and what we can do about that.”

Meanwhile, Swift spoke openly about silencing the QPR fans during yeaterday's press conference at Hogwood Park.

The midfield maestro is in a rich vein of form with four goals for Reading already this season plus his first for England U21s on Tuesday.

But Stam says the ex-Chelsea star is not guaranteed a place in his starting line-up tomorrow.

“Swifty is a great player,” he declared. “He's proving that all the time with the goals he scores for us and the national team.

“There is still a lot of room for improvement because he's a very ambitious, like a lot of players in our squad.

“But he's part of that squad and it doesn't mean he will automatically play every game.

“There are a lot of matches ahead and we also have to take into account the opposition we are facing before making those choices.”

QPR are unbeaten in three games going into Saturday's hoops derby. Earlier today the club cleared manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink of any wrongdoing after completing an internal investigation into a newspaper sting.