[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2i5MXGevuQ[/embedyt]
Jose Gomes feels Reading deserved to win having been forced to settle for a draw against Rotherham United at Madejski Stadium.
The Royals led 1-0 through Ovie Ejaria’s goal, but we pegged back 10 minutes from time when Semi Ajayi turned in to earn the visitors a 1-1 draw.
REPORT: Royals pegged back against Rotherham at the Mad Stad
Here is what Gomes had to say after the stalemate –
On the game…
Like all the Championship matches, it was a very tough and difficult game. It was against a team who played direct football, even when they had fouls in their half the goalkeeper came out to kick it. A lot of times the ball was in the air so it was difficult at times for us to get the ball down and play.
When we did that we created some good chances and we deserved to score to make it 1-0. After that we gave them too much time on the ball and when they did they put the ball in the box directly.
After that we had corners and throw-ins so the ball stayed in the air a lot but when we controlled the game again with O’Shea in the middle we hold the ball a bit better. Ovie was on the right and we got more time on the ball and we could have scored a second but just after Oliveira slipped they went on to score.
The big lesson for us is even if we’re winning 1-0 we must try to find a way to score a second. Against these teams with a direct style if the ball goes into our box then anything can happen. My players fought and tried and showed they wanted to win the game. They turned the picture after the previous game.
I am not happy and the players are not happy about this result which in my opinion we didn’t deserve. We deserved to win based on the goal situations we created but we must put the ball in the net.
It was amazing the clear goal situations we had today but we didn’t score. Before the game I said this was a very important game and it could have been if one of the teams won.
But with the draw everything is the same. I think in a couple of weeks there will be more teams fighting for the same goal (survival) because in this league every week there are surprises.
On if he is angry with players not finishing chances…
I am not happy with my players when they miss a clear goal situation. After the very tough previous game where we suffered a lot the way they played they really deserved the three points.
We felt on the pitch the fantastic environment from the fans during the game and it could be a different hand if we finished with three points in the pocket.
It’s an important and big lesson for everybody, especially the players. If you are winning 1-0 you must go on playing and try to score a second. We tried but not with the same intensity.
On not converting chances week after week…
If you look at the Barrow chance late on he tried to score. Oliveira, Miazga, Baker and McCleary could have scored so they tried. Sometimes if you repeat the same actions 100 times maybe they miss one or two and the rest they will score.
We must help them get this confidence to use the chances properly.
On the decision to bring on O’Shea…
Yakou was tired and I could use Ovie in this position. He’s able to stop the crosses from the left so the full back didn’t cross. Yakou is one important player for the way we organise our defensive set pieces and to replace him at that moment in the game, I felt if we could control this direct game better, because O’Shea is also strong in the air, that’s the reason (I brought him on). We could keep the team stronger.
After O’Shea played, we controlled the game for a good period and we were nearer to score the second goal than Rotherham. We didn’t, Nelson slipped at they scored.
On if he wishes he brought Harriott and Barrow on earlier…
It’s easy to talk after the game. During the game, one minute before I changed G (McCleary), created a fantastic action with his sprint. The idea was to put a bit more offensive energy on. If you asked me if it could be before, yeah but only Yakou really showed that he was tired. All the others were doing well. Before I changed Ovie, he made a great action as well with his shot. With their energy Callum and Barrow played well, they helped the team when we asked them.
On if this draw is an opportunity missed…
From one side, yes. Like against Bolton when we were winning until minute 92 and then they scored. We would have four more points. But we got one point more towards achieving our target so that is the positive side.
On Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s absence…
He is injured. It’s his calf again. I don’t know how bad it is.
On Ejaria’s goal…
It was a very good action. I talked with him during the week and I felt he could do something more than he has usually been showing during the games. He’s a young player with a great potential and he did very well.
On the next two games now becoming even more important…
We must use everything that’s already happened to be better in the future and the future is Saturday (against Ipswich). We will try to play to win.
