Jose Gomes On An Outstanding Cardiff Victory

Reading put on what was their best performance in years after a superb display against Cardiff City at the Madejski Stadium. George Puscas had a dream home debut, scoring two goals in the first half, his opener nothing short of outstanding. John Swift added a third to make it a fantastic afternoon and to give us our first win of the Championship season.

There were five home debuts for the Royals - Puscas, Pele, Rafael, Michael Morrison and Lucas Joao - and all played their part to pick up the three points in a performance that Reading fans have been waiting to see for many, many years.

Jose Gomes was a happy man after the game and spoke about the togetherness of the squad to the official club website and GetReading:

Gomes on our first win of the season

“We did what we should do. We were very organised, showed good teamwork, we gave them no chances at all and with some very good combinations in attack we created some nice situations from which we could score.

”It was a tough game which we knew to expect, long balls, second balls, a very tough team, a vert difficult style. But my players played well and in the end we could have scored even more goals.

”It’s always a good time to get a win. I’m very happy, like all the fans. We really followed the plan. I’m pleased to be the coach of these players. And the players and our fans deserve these three points. We can celebrate a little with dinner this evening, with family and friends. But then we have to keep our focus.”

Gomes on the spirit of the squad

“The players now know each others’ names which is a good start, and with more hours training together, these players will show more signs that they know each others’ games and, with that, we can achieve more.

”And I am really confident about the future with these great players and good people inside our changing room.

Gomes on Puscas’ goals

“He could have had a hat-trick but his goals were good for him. It’s always good for strikers because it gives them confidence, each time they score. But we cannot forget, if they receive so many good balls, it means we showed good organisation behind and others did well to give them the balls. It was good team work.”

Gomes on Puscas signing

“I like to see my players playing like a team. The people who make decisions - myself, the board, the people around, it’s not my decision or another person’s or a club’s decision. It’s team work and then we take these decisions. We did it at the right time and I’m really confident week by week they will give more signs they know each other better and will perform better and better.

“He did a pre-season with Inter and played in England against Tottenham. The Championship is a different style of football though, that’s why I said we need to be patient with these players. Now they know the names of each other, but we need to be patient and week by week they will be better.”

Gomes on the turnaround from the first two games

“It was hard in the first two games because we conceded goals and then we lost confidence. And we ran away from our game plan. We didn’t start well against Sheffield Wednesday. A lot of things have changed and we’ve received new players.

“So we cannot find one reason for what happened. It’s a lot of things, but but the main thing is the togetherness and the quality of the players. We have different players and we are playing in a different way - even I must adapt to the new players.”

Gomes on Puscas’ miss to get a hat-trick

“I didn’t talk with him about it, but more importantly it’s about the team goals. Of course I am happy they score but for me it doesn’t matter who scores, I want the team to score and use the situations properly we create.

“I don’t care the name of the player. The good thing is he scored twice, we won and the three points was the most important thing today. We must keep this spirit for the next game.”

Gomes on Swift and Ejaria’s performances

“He (Swift) did well, but so did Ovie and the other midfielders. They played a few wrong passes but overall did well.

“They used the ball very well and did good combinations with the forward players. We created some nice situations and could have scored more goals.”

Gomes on leaving Rinomhota out

“If you bring more players into your team with quality then this will happen. I’m surprised you didn’t ask why I left Meite out. He usually starts. We have more options but I must manage the players I have. We have a long season and everybody will play.”

Gomes on Wednesday’s fixture against West Brom

“There are a lot of different styles playing in the Championship and we have to adapt to them, prepare for them and beat them if we want to finish high in the table. And West Brom are a very good side.

“We are at the beginning of the season, for sure there will be ups and downs like all the teams in the world. But we want to keep the togetherness we have in the changing room and if we keep this spirit I’m sure we will be near the top end of the table.”