Reading manager Jaap Stam has told supporters that they should not expect the club to finish in the top six of the Championship this season.
The former Manchester United defender, who become Royals boss in June, has urged for "patience" in his first campaign in charge of the club.
Reading finished 17th in the table last season, 12 points above the bottom three and 24 behind the playoff spots.
"There are teams in the league who will make it hard to be in the top 10," Stam told BBC South Today. "You can't expect us to end up in the top six.
"We're concentrating and focusing ourselves on improving every game and to make ourselves better as a team. It's not going to happen that quickly, you need to have a bit of patience as well."
Reading will get their season underway at home to Preston North End on Saturday.
