DAVE Edwards says Reading FC may have to abandon their principles and try to win ugly in order to escape their rut when they host Nottingham Forest tomorrow night (Tuesday, 8pm ko).

The Welsh international believes togetherness is key to Royals escaping their dismal run of form, which sees them languishing in 20th in the Championship table.

Jaap Stam's men welcome Forest to Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night and despite their poor display against Middlesbrough on Saturday, 31-year-old Edwards is confident Royals can turn things around.

"I've been in this situation before," stressed the former Wolves star.

"It sounds a bit cliche but it's all about hard work. We have another game coming up on Tuesday.

"At times like this, tactically everyone knows their jobs but it's all about sticking together and going that extra yard.

"We need to carry on working hard in training and leave no stone unturned. That will give us the best possible chance to get a result against Forest.

"We're a confident group and we believe that once we get some results we will string it together and the confidence will build.

"At the moment we just need to win in any way possible, whether it's scrappy or pretty football."

Goals from Grant Leadbitter and Britt Assombalonga condemned Reading to a fourth defeat in their last five league fixtures and there were audible boos from supporters at the final whistle.

And Edwards admitted he was not surprised by the fans' reaction.

"It is concerning, but any team in this situation would be getting booed," he continued.

"We lost 2-0 at home and we are in a bad run.

"Fans are entitled to boo and it's up to us to make them start cheering again."

The former Wolverhampton Wanders midfielder was an unused substitute against Garry Monk's Boro, who picked up their first win in six games.

He has played a bit-part role since his summer switch from Molineux, but has his sights firmly set on more game-time.

The versatile midfielder also stressed he wants to score at least 10 goals come the end of the season.

He concluded: "I was disappointed not to be involved and not to come on.

"I will keep working hard and hopefully I can get in the team and try and force my way forward a bit more and get goals.

"I want to play how I know I can do and improve this team to get three points.

"Everyone thinks they should be scoring more goals. The defenders, the midfielders and the attackers.

"It's a team game, it doesn't matter who gets them as long as somebody does.

"We've been missing Yann [Kermorgant] and Jon Dadi [Bodvarsson]. I thought Sam Smith came in and did really well.

"It's important that we chip in goals from all over the pitch, we have some good attacking players who should be looking towards getting double figures, like me."