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Tuesday night’s game was arguably the biggest game of the season and it looked as though it was going to favour the Royals until added on time when Bolton equalised to take a share of the points at the university of Bolton stadium.
Like what is often the case under Jose Gomes, we had plenty of chances but didn’t take them. Garath McCleary won a penalty for Reading which Nelson Oliveira slotted home. Jack Hobbs scored in the 92nd minute which made it honours even.
There are positives though, we are now one point behind Rotherham who are 21st and three new signings made their debuts. Here is what Gomes had to say after the draw, he spoke to the official club website and football.london.
Gomes on not picking up the win
“It is a pity that we didn’t get the three points because the way we played deserved it, we created enough situations to score more goals.
“But football is like this, if you don’t kill the game and you give the chances to the opponent. We led 1-0 until minute 90; we’re disappointed because we felt the taste of the three points and two points ran away.”
Gomes on the game plan
“All the players understood the game plan we created, and it’s just a case of putting the ball in the goal. We had 16 shots, 65% of ball possession and we must score more.
“This is football. The team that scores more wins, and we should have scored more. For the number of chances we created we should have scored more, but we didn’t.
“We were very near to winning here. We should have killed the game. With the situations that we created we should score more. If we score more, we don’t suffer like we are suffering now.”
Gomes on the performance
“We showed good things again, we played with enough quality, and we created enough situations to win this game. So we are disappointed with the result. But we are full of confidence in these players.
“In the moment we’re living, the game was very important. For one side we’re disappointed, but on the other side, the way that we’re playing and the confidence the players showed in our process gives us big hope for the future.
“It’s a tough track until the end of this big war. We have 17 more battles in front of us but we’re working very hard to be better and better. The point now is to keep the focus until the end of the game and score more goals.
“The idea is to keep working, now we recover and help the players to catch the confidence they have been showing in the way they’ve been training, and appear in the next home match full of confidence to give the three points to our fans.”
Gomes on the three debutants
“They did well. Nelson was very tired and complained about muscle pains in the adductor but hopefully he will recover for the next match but I am happy with the team and the players.
“They created enough chances but we need to now help them in these three days to play the next match with confidence. They really need this to win against Aston Villa.”
Gomes on Ilori’s exit
“We have solutions for this position. We have Matt Miazga and more central defenders who were not in the squad so we have solutions. So it was good business for the club.”
Gomes on Bodvarsson
“He’s not completely fit. He could have come onto the bench but his baby will be born so he stayed with his wife.”
Gomes on Aston Villa on Saturday
“It will be a big game against a very strong opponent. Now we need to recover the players, give them confidence and try to improve in the next three days the mistakes we made and try to resolve some problems.
“And try to appear stronger because we are working very well but we need points. The way the players are working it’s fantastic. They definitely deserve the support of our fans.
“The war is until the end of the season - we now have 17 battles ahead. It will be a tough track but we will get there.”
Gomes on the relegation battle
“It could be better but it could be worse. The positive thing is we didn’t lose and we have a short distance from the team above us.
“I really feel confidence in these players and we know even with this tough way in front of us we will get there.”
Gomes on the fans
“I never feel tired of saying this about our fans – they are really amazing in the way that they support our team. They travel this distance, they will have been caught in snow during the trip, they show up in this cold weather. And they stay until the end to support our players.
“They really deserve the three points and to see their club in a position that they deserve. So hopefully against Aston Villa we will give a good answer.”