Reading manager Leam Richardson says he is determined for the club to be “in a better place” as preparations for the new League One season gather pace.
The Royals returned to training last month and begin their pre-season programme at Farnborough on Saturday before a training camp in Spain and friendlies against Getafe, Newport County, Woking, Crawley Town and Charlton Athletic.
Three new signings have already arrived, with forwards Kyreece Lisbie and Jacob Brown joining defender Udoka Godwin-Malife at Bearwood Park.
Richardson said the summer had been spent reviewing last season and addressing areas that needed improvement.
“It’s been really hectic – a lot of work is going on behind the scenes, whether that’s recruitment or planning for the season ahead,” he told the club website.
“I’m dying for the games to start already.
“It’s my job to make sure that this club’s in a better place, whether that’s off the pitch, on the pitch, the whole football club.”
Reading missed out on the League One play-offs last season and endured a disappointing run of form towards the end of the campaign which led to many fans demanding a change in management.
Richardson admitted the final weeks of the season exposed weaknesses within his squad.
“We found a lot of things out that we needed to improve on – depth and availability,” he said.
“There was 84% of our squad who didn’t play 50% of the games last year, which is mind-blowing.
“We have to address that.”
The manager said the club had targeted players with greater pace, power and durability during the transfer window, while further additions are expected.
“We’ve signed them for a reason,” he said.
“Hopefully we’ll have news shortly. We are working away really hard.”
Richardson also praised owner Rob Couhig’s involvement during the summer.
“The chairman has been over a few times in the off-season to drive things forward,” he said.
“It’s fantastic for a football club to see an owner so invested.”
Despite disappointment at the end of last season, Richardson believes valuable lessons were learned.
“When you lose, you learn a lot about each other and yourself,” he said.
“We take full accountability of the last five or six games, but if we have consistency we will hopefully get where we want to.”
