Dave Kitson admits Reading are no longer the Premier League's surprise package.

Last season saw Steve Coppell's side take the top flight by storm following promotion but this time around things have not been so easy.

Kitson, who netted Reading's goal in their 2-1 defeat to Sunderland at the weekend, has conceded that his side need to be stronger now the rest of the division have 'wised up' to their strengths.

"I really don't know what's happened," Kitson told the club's website .

"Maybe teams are wised up to how we play and how to nullify our main threats.

"We do look like scoring, we got one (at Sunderland) and could have had another.

"I don't like saying 'we must take positives' but the fact is that it's still within us. We just have to do it from the off."