Jose Gomes arrived at Reading in December with the club just above the relegation zone on goal difference.
With the turn of the year, the Royals have seen a change in fortunes as they now sit four points above the relegation zone with seven league games left.
Liam Moore has been full of praise for the new Reading boss ahead of what will be an intense period for Reading who have six games in 21 days starting with an away trip to Hull City.
“He (Gomes) is a big personality, he cares about people, he cares about every member of staff at the club and that brings people together,” said Moore.
“The quality hasn’t been missing in terms of what’s on the books, but the delivery of what we’ve been trying to do hasn’t been there for a while.
“When you bring everyone close together and focus on the basics and make people feel good as a team and individuals, you’ve got a better chance.
“It’s been fresh and the way he’s put his ideas across is brilliant, he speaks fluent English but there’s words he struggles with so when he tries to put it across, he has good humour with it.
“He wants to play good football, that’s clear to see but its about the basics as well, work hard, fight, commitment.”
The Royals had a close shave as they flirted with relegation last season before eventually securing their survival on the last day of the season, and defender Moore is keen to secure the club’s Championship status as quickly as possible.
“He’s got a group of players that are ready to fight, are desperate to stay in the league, desperate to learn and to put out what we do in training on the pitch,” continued Moore.
“Many teams in the past have been successful purely on the togetherness of the team.
“We need to worry about ourselves because right now it is in our own hands. Win games and not worry about what’s behind us.
“I don’t look any further than the next game, you’ve got to play everyone twice, so it doesn’t matter whether its at the start, middle or end. We want to build up a head of steam and get the points as quick as possible.”
Reading brought in five loan signings in the January transfer window in a bid to boost their league position and avoid relegation.
Emiliano Martinez, Ovie Ejaria, Nelson Oliviera, Lewis Baker and Matt Miazga have all been crucial to Reading’s recent upturn in form and have been praised highly by Moore, especially the added defensive stability with the additions of Miazga and Martinez.
“My longest run in the side with a centre half was seven games before Matt arrived and he only came in January and I think we’ve beaten that already,” Moore continued.
“It’s nice to be stable, we know each other’s games, we bounce off each other on the pitch, we know each other’s strengths and so far the partnership is going well. Although he’s a loanee he’s a good lad as well and that goes for all the loanees, they want to fight for the shirt.
“Martinez is a brilliant goalkeeper, very very good. The only criticism I have of him is his gear, and his hair!
“But as a goalkeeper he’s fantastic and I really believe he can push for that number one Arsenal shirt. He really wants to win as well and when you sign loanees that’s what you need to go for.”
