READING FC boss Jaap Stam argued referee James Linington was too lenient on Bolton Wanderers during the 1-1 draw at Madejski Stadium.

Three players were booked from each side in Tuesday night’s relegation scrap.

But Stam was far from impressed with the Trotters’ strong-arm tactics, and felt Linington should have done more to stamp it out.

“He let a lot of things go,” declared Stam. “I think referees need to read and understand the game as well.

“I’m not saying he had a bad game, not at all, but you know how Bolton play, every time they are looking for a foul, they go down with the slightest of touches.

“They are physical, they bring on an extra striker of two metres, maybe two-and-a-half, to win that second ball or finish it in the box.

“I think you need to feel the game and know what the opposition is trying to do.”

Bracknell News:

George Evans gets in a tangle with Bolton's Darren Pratley.

He added: “Their midfield players were also using their arms to hold ours back. What you get is a reaction because our midfield players doesn’t want to be turned on the ball, so he uses his arms and they get a free kick.

“I think they (referees) need to understand and maybe look at clips at certain situations when you meet physical teams.”


Stam’s comments could anger Bolton manager Phil Parkinson who saw Adam Le Fondre cancel out Mo Barrow’s opener to earn his side a point.

“We had some good chances to go ahead before Reading scored,” he said, referring to a couple of glaring Le Fondre misses.

“Conceding against the run of play knocked us slightly, I thought heads would drop, but we got back in it second half and probably should have capitalised more.

“We had an experienced team out and both sides made a lot of changes. So a point away from home is not the worst thing, especially being so close to Reading in the table.”

The draw leaves Reading 18th in the Championship table and one place above Bolton on goal difference.

But both clubs extended their lead over the relegation zone to five points after all five clubs below them lost last night.

Reading host Leeds United this Saturday (3pm ko).

Bracknell News:

Bolton boss and former Reading FC promotion-winning captain, Phil Parkinson.