/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63165113/Fans_Verdict.0.png)
Days like Saturday make all the pain worthwhile. From utter despair when Ipswich Town equalised, to complete jubilation when Barrow slotted home in the last minute is what makes this sport so special.
It was by no means Reading’s best performance under Jose Gomes, we have played a lot better and come away with nothing. But the character of the players to concede an equaliser late on and then hit back was fantastic.
At this stage, it’s not about how you pick up points, it just matters that you pick them up. It is such a big win, but one win is all it is. And the games don’t get any less important with Wigan travelling to the Mad Stad next Saturday.
However, let’s talk about Saturday shall we. A huge win certainly provided a lot of talking points on social media after the game...
Emi Martinez
What a goalkeeper this guy is. Without him we would be in a much worse position, and he only joined in January. Yet again, on Saturday he was at the top of his game and he was incredible.
From his pinpoint distribution to his unbelievable shot-stopping, if there is anyway we can keep him in Berkshire beyond this season, we need to do it.
The save from Andy Yiadom was up there with one of the best saves I’ve seen live. He is the best keeper we have had in a long, long time and he is certainly a fans’ favourite already, and quite rightly so...
Has a January signing ever won player of the year? Right now Martinez gets my vote. He has literally been the difference between winning and losing matches. #readingfc
— Jordan Norris (@Jordannorr1s) March 2, 2019
Martinez was incredible yesterday. Some saying he’s the best keeper we’ve had since Hahnemann. I’d argue he’s the best keeper we’ve had since Shaka! Such a shame we can’t keep quality like him next season. He’s far too good for this league. #ReadingFC https://t.co/CqiQs5nv5O
— Jamie Gorman (@OfficialJGorman) March 3, 2019
Can we re-mortgage the stadium to sign Martinez? We need to give him and Arsenal whatever they want. #Readingfc
— Nath St Paul (@NathStPaul) March 2, 2019
Martinez is a god #Readingfc
— Razak Malik (@razzy9) March 2, 2019
That last-minute goal
What a moment. A moment that will go down as one of the great moments in our recent history, the scenes when Barrow scored were incredible. It felt like a moment that reconnected the fans and the players.
The fans were incredible all game, and it was the best away end I’ve been in in a very long time. That needs to be recreated for pretty much every game now. We need to do our bit to help the players.
It was a great moment, and obviously was the major talking point from a huge three points on social media...
Days like Sheffield United away are all worth it when you get moments like today. Love this club #readingfc
— Luke Taylor (@lukerfc08) March 2, 2019
Utter scenes in the away end. Huge goal from Mo Barrow a goal that might just save his team from relegation #readingfc
— Jack (@thesimpsonRFC) March 2, 2019
I didn’t even realise barrow and everyone celebrated with the fans until I watched the highlights this morning, my head was on the floor somewhere! What a club #ReadingFC
— Ben Holder (@BenHolder18) March 3, 2019
That winner and after a late equaliser. What a moment! #readingfc
— Rich (@richiec87) March 2, 2019
Post-match scenes
This was the big thing I took from Saturday’s game. The scenes when that full time whistle went were fantastic. From Moore’s passionate fist pumps, to Gomes’ emotional embrace of every single player, it made me proud to be a Reading fan.
The connection between the fans and players is back, and we have one man to thank for that - Jose Gomes. The man has been a revelation, and is already loved by the Reading fanbase.
If we do stay up, then Saturday will be a day that lives long in the memories. The full-time scenes were what I love about this club, and long may that continue...
Jose Gomes have not felt man love at our club like that for a long time love his attitude urzzzzz #readingfc
— Johnny Hunt (@Huntyroyal) March 2, 2019
The scenes at full time #readingfc pic.twitter.com/quCgxY3tJs
— Jack (@thesimpsonRFC) March 2, 2019
Still buzzing from yesterday’s win, the scenes at full time #readingfc
— Hann (@hannlouisexox) March 3, 2019
Our captain #ReadingFC pic.twitter.com/dKHcz30CxL
— Cormac McGovern (@CMcGovern71) March 2, 2019
Conclusion
What a day. But it is just one day, we have a long battle ahead of us to stay up. Starting with another huge game at home to Wigan next weekend - so get down to the Mad Stad, and get behind the boys again.
URZ