Frustrated Jose Gomes Still Upbeat After Blackburn Defeat

It was another tough afternoon at the Madejski Stadium in what was one of the most frustrating displays seen for a while. The Royals faced Blackburn Rovers and it was great to see Jordan Obita back on the pitch for the first time in almost two years. Reading really didn’t show up in the first half, putting on a really poor display, and although it got better in the second half it wasn’t enough, with Reading losing 2-1.

Jose Gomes kept his players in the dressing room for a long time after the game but later spoke to the press about the poor display. Quotes come from the official club website and Get Reading.

Gomes on the loss

“When we lose we must catch the responsibility with both hands. Not say it’s not my responsibility, it’s because of the grass or because of the weather, or this or that. We can learn a lot when we lose. And this is the point. We must learn and show we have learned in the next game.

“We prepared all week for this game but we made a very bad start and we gave away a lot of space to our opponent. I was very upset with the players at half-time. We were ready to start the second half with a new spirit, a new energy and then the worst thing that can happen, happened - we conceded a second goal.

“My players didn’t give up and we created some chances, but it wasn’t enough. We gave them the first 45 minutes and we couldn’t recover. It is hard to win a game when you give 45 minutes to your opponent.

“But now we need to trust in our players and believe that they will give us the victories we are expecting. I don’t like cheap words. It’s very easy to talk. So we have to show the things on the pitch. And I am sure we will get the results we need this season.”

Gomes on tactical mistakes

“Today, we made some tactical mistakes that we haven’t made before. They are different problems to last week’s. It think it would be impossible to repeat these mistakes, so the team will improve.

“The Championship has a lot of games. 38 more now. We can look at the table and say that we should be getting more points. But what really counts is how many you have at the end of the season. I spoke with my players after the game and we are together in feeling we can turn this situation very soon.”

Photo by Rachel Holborn - BRFC/Getty Images

Gomes on being angry at half-time

“At half time I was completely angry with them, I was really upset. We did some tactical mistakes so I spoke to them and we came with the second half with different energy.

“Then the worst thing happened - conceding the second goal. But we didn’t give up - we carried on playing, had lots of shots and were much more dangerous in their box. The big lesson is 45 minutes is not enough time to win a game - we gave the first half to Blackburn.”

Gomes on recalling Joao and Puscas

“They need confidence - and they get that when they score or assist. We have six strikers and each time they don’t score if we ask whether they are good enough - they are good players. We need to help them perform better.”

Gomes on whether form is improving

“I don’t know any team right now who can celebrate the title. We have played eight games and after that nobody wins and nobody loses. We need to be patient and help the players be better and recover from these down moments. I’m confident this will happen.

“I work with the players every day and see their spirit - they are a fantastic group. We need a good result and everything will change. We cannot forget it’s a very long competition and we are three games far from our target.”

Gomes on the frustration of the fans

“This is my frustration and my players’ - but we talk about football. What can we do? Kill all our players and bring new ones in? We can’t - we have the squad and must help them perform better. They have already shown us they can give fantastic things to us. I’m not happy and nobody is happy.

“Of course I am disappointed but at the same time I have this energy that I know I will help them to be better in the future. I know we have enough quality to finish in the position we want to at the end of the season.

“In the last three weeks you look like the devil prophet. We played eight games and I know you love the club and you want the same as me - to win and give points to the club.

“We are working very hard for it - we just need to be patient with our players. It’s tough now looking at the results we have had - but at this moment we see who are the real men, who really wants to fight and help the team be better. I know I have these men in my group and I know with our togetherness we will be there at the end of the season.”