READING manager Jose Gomes said that his side were rewarded for ‘defensive organisation and teamwork’ as they beat Cardiff City 3-0 to win their first Championship game of the season.
New striker George Puscas scored a double on his first appearance at the Madejski Stadium.
“He could have had three,” said Jose Gomes.
“It is good for him, it’s always good for a striker to get confidence each time they score.
“But we cannot forget that if they received so many good balls, we showed good organisation at the back and the other players played well enough to give them the chances so it was good teamwork.
“We brought good quality players in and are pleased to have got them. I’m really confident that week by week they will give more signs they know each other better and get better.
“I haven’t spoke to him (Puscas) about the hat-trick chance but more importantly is the team goal.
“It doesn’t matter for me who scores the goals, I don’t care the name of the player. The good thing was he scored two goals and we won, the most important thing today was the three points and we must keep our spirit.
Gomes was particularly pleased with his sides defensive structure as they kept their first clean sheet of the season with the Reading boss switching to three at the back.
“We worked very well and my players followed the plan.
“We knew the way they played and my players respected everything they should do and we got the results for the organisation and teamwork, good combinations in attack and created situations where we could score.
“I’m pleased to be the coach of these players.”
Reading went in to the day as the only side in the league not to have picked up a point but now move up to 17th after their first three fixtures of the Championship season.
“The first two games in the Championship were very hard for the players,” continued Gomes.
“We started and conceded goals, we lost confidence in the moments building up.
“We didn’t start well against Sheffield, we received new players and a lot of things have changed but the main thing is the togetherness and the quality of the players.
“We play in a different way and I must adapt to the new players.
“What gives confidence to the players are victories and we must use this properly. We need to keep our focus ahead of Wednesday’s game.”
Last year’s player of the season Andy Rinomohta, was dropped to the bench with Gomes opting for new signings Ovie Ejaria and Pele ahead of him.
“If you bring new players and more quality this will happen.
“I must manage the players and we have more options, it’s a long season, everyone will play.
“We prepared only thinking of this game, we now must prepare for Wednesday and if players are tired we can change.
“Swift and Ovie did very well, all the midfielders played very well.
“They used the ball from the defensive line very well and did good combinations with the forward players.
“We created some nice goal situations and could have scored more.”
