By Isaac Farnworth (@isaac_farnworth)
Reading manager Jose Games was full of praise and admiration for his players after they secured three more crucial points against Brentford at the Madejski.
Yakou Meite bagged a brace against Brentford to relieve Reading’s relegation fears as Royals moved four points clear of the drop.
The Ivorian netted twice in the opening 15 minutes to get the Madejski rocking before the visitors pulled one back on the stroke of half-time after Emi Martinez spilled a free-kick and Neil Maupay was there ready to pounce on the loose ball.
Both sides squandered numerous chances in the second period, with Martinez redeeming his earlier blunder with some outstanding saves from the Brentford front men.
After the last-gasp draw at Norwich, which felt like a win for the Royals fans, to pick up a further three points at home and as a result move four points clear of the division’s drop zone.
Gomes expressed his delight at his side’s performance speaking in his press conference post-match (full audio available on www.wokinghampaper.co.uk via SoundCloud).
“We are at the end of the season, four games more, so it was a very important three points for us,’ said Gomes.
“We deserved it the way we played. We could have finished the game in the first half. In the end everyone was a bit nervous and with their coroners and free-kicks.
“My players were brave, they fought in the end of the game, they kept the three points.
“We cannot relax. Now we can celebrate for a few hours and after working again…collect all our energy and prepare for Friday’s game against Bristol,” he added.
Wokingham Sport also spoke with Royals and USA national team defender Matt Miazga outside the Reading changing rooms in the cordoned-off Mixed Zone, with Miazga also singing the praises of his teammates.
“Our plan was to keep the intensity up and keep moving forward to create chances. I think we could have scored more in the first half and we were disappointed to concede,” said Miazga.
“We had a good mentality going into the game. Every game is a must-win.
“We showed character in the second half to close out the game,” added the American.
Miazga also mentioned that he isn’t committing his long-term future at the Madejski, however he did express that his total concentration is on the pitch for Royals.
“At the moment I’m just focused on contributing to the team”, said Miazga.
“I’m really enjoying it here, the fans and all of the staff have been great to me.
“It’s one week at a time and we’ll see what happens in the summer but obviously I’ve got to keep my options open,” he revealed.
Although visitors Brentford are safe in mid-table mediocrity this season, lying in 14th, their Danish boss Thomas Frank is far from taking his foot off the gas heading into the final few games.
Bees manager Thomas Frank was also impressed with his side’s attacking intent but rued missed opportunities and Bees’ ability to create goal-scoring chances.
“The positives are that we were better in the second half”, said Frank.
“We showed great willpower to do everything that we could to get back into the game. But on the day, we lacked the quality to create enough clear-cut chances.
“We now have four games left and we need to do everything we can to get 12 points. That’s the aim.
“We talked before this game that we need to finish the season on a high.
“We have to do everything we can and that will mean a lot for this club, this team and every individual. There is no reason not to do that,” he added.
Royals travel next to Bristol for Good Friday Championship football, where they can all but secure safety from relegation.
Gomes’ side will be boosted by Nelson Oliveira’s return, the fellow Portuguese Royal made his first start back after spending time out recovering in Shanghai nursing a hamstring problem.
Bristol will be tough opponents, with the Robins currently sitting pretty in the final play-off spot, one point ahead of Middlesborough.
