Jose Gomes Pleased With Performance In Wolves Cup Defeat

The Royals travelled to Molineux for a Carabao Cup fourth tie against Wolves, but went out of the competition on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Wolves took the lead in the first half after an error from Joao Virginia and it seemed as though we were out, but Lucas Boye scored in the 99th minute to take us to penalties. John Swift had his penalty saved with Boye skying his to help Wolves into the fifth round.

Jose Gomes felt that the Royals deserved more out of the game, as he told GetReading after the game.

Gomes on the game

“It’s disappointing because I felt my players deserved something more considering the way they played. Even in the first half we didn’t deserve to come into half time losing. We tried to make their centre-backs struggle a bit with Meite and Boye and their speed in the channels. We created some chances from that. It was a lucky goal for them.

“In the second half we needed to take more risks so it was a completely different game. We recovered the ball very quickly, won the second balls and played all the game in the Wolves half and near their box. And we created enough chances to score.”

Gomes on Virginia’s mistake

“I showed I had confidence in him because he started. But this kind of thing is hard for him, especially at his age. We need to give him time to recover and help him the best we can.”

Gomes on his assistant, Mendonca’s, fourth yellow card in five games

“It’s not a good record and even with whatever happened on the pitch it’s no excuse. I will solve this myself. He’s a very emotional person but calm and relaxed away from the game.

“He’s always focused on everything that happens on the pitch when the referee blows his whistle. But he must control himself.”

Photo by Richard Sellers/EMPICS/PA Images via Getty Images

Gomes on Meite being given captaincy

“We have a players’ committee - which he is a part of. I chose him because from those who started, he was the one who arrived the earliest in the first team. I thought it was Blackett but he told me it wasn’t. He deserved it. He is important for the team.”

Gomes on a big week ahead

“The players must rest now. Those who didn’t travel have been working very hard and it was tough for those who played. Tomorrow they must rest and on Friday we’ll prepare for Swansea.”

Gomes on selection issues for Swansea City on Saturday

“If we look at the recovery days between games, the temptation is high to use the same players. But looking at the schedule it was very hard to play after just two days. I decided to rest some players thinking I could use them in the future.”