Jose Gomes says Reading’s start against Swansea was “unacceptable” as they lost 4-1 at Madejski Stadium.
The Swans took the lead in just the second minute through Oli McBurnie and found themselves four goals ahead just after half-time with McBurnie adding a second after goals from Mike van der Hoorn and Connor Roberts.
Callum Harriott pulled a goal back in his first game since 2016 but it proved to be in vain.
Here is what Gomes had to say after the match –
On the defeat…
I am a bit disappointed with the way we started the game. We are at the bottom of the table so we have no time or space to start games like this. We must start games with all the strength and energy we have and today I didn’t like it.
I am disappointed because we played with the same players who started against QPR on Saturday. They did very well then and I was expecting them to start with the same happiness and energy. But we conceded a goal in the second minute and the players felt the pressure of playing at home.
I told the players at half time the fans are here to help – it’s not a war, it’s a football game and you must show what you can do.
Unfortunately we conceded early in the second half so at 4-0 they tried and showed good things but it’s also easier playing against a side who is 4-0 up.
I can promise this – in all the games I am here as a head coach – we cannot see this anymore. The way we started was unacceptable. Football is our life and we must give everything.
We must not save energy – we can save money but not our energy. We must give all our energy in games.
On his reaction at full time…
I was angry but that stays inside the changing room.
On conceding so early in the second half…
We finished the first half with big pressure on our shoulders but then we conceded a penalty. After the team tried but I suppose Swansea didn’t make such high-pressure on us.
The point is we must start games like we did against QPR – playing our football, making pressure and playing near our opponent’s box.
And make the people enjoy what they are watching. The players felt scared – we started the game scared. We must enjoy the game and with our energy we can push our supporters to help us.
On if the players were tired…
I’ve only had six training sessions so I don’t know all the details about each player. The same players showed different energy in the second half.
After 45 minutes they were not tired so it’s not a physical question. It’s a mental thing. It’s the way you look at a game and whether you fight or not.
On how he can work on players’ mentality…
I am here to help the players be stronger and they must be. Now they have shown me all the faces that they have.
They cannot hide anything more from me. The way is working and go straight towards the targets we need.
On if this result shows him how tough his job will be at Reading…
Definitely, yes. It will be a tough mission, but we can do it. We will (stay up). I feel the energy that they show me during the training sessions. The players have the things that we need, they just need to bring everything to the games. Inside them they have what the supporters want to see during the games, we just need to bring the complete package to the pitch.
On Man Utd on Saturday…
This is a different game. We cannot compare both teams. It’s a cup game, everything can happen. It’s a game that they must enjoy, get rid of all the pressure because it is a game we cannot say we are under pressure that we must win this game. They must enjoy it, get rid of the pressure they are feeling and in the meantime we must prepare the next Championship match.
On looking forward to some more time on the training ground…
I have had just six training sessions and played three games in one week. Playing once a week will be better for me.
On Callum Harriott scoring on his return…
It was very good for him and for the team. All the players that came off the bench gave good things. Jon (Dadi Bodvarsson), Danny (Loader) and Callum (Harriott) gave good things so we are happy with their performance.
On if he will make changes on Saturday…
Now we need to recover. After we will prepare for the next game.
On the January transfer window…
We are working on it with the board of directors. It’s normal that a club in the position that we are now that we think about improving the squad, but the number of players that we have in our squad is definitely very, very high. We must reduce the number of players and after try to bring some more players that will help us be stronger.
On rumours Dave Edwards will leave the club this month…
In the right moment, the club will tell you. I think because we haven’t talked with the players yet, maybe I’ll do it tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, it is not fair for the players if you know before them.
On Chris Gunter’s absence…
He is still injured. Tomorrow we have a meeting with the medical department and we will know exactly when he will be ready and if he can participate this week with the team in training or not.
On Liam Moore being back on the bench…
He is better (after injury) but the defenders did well in the previous match. We didn’t concede any goals (against QPR) so I think that before the game I didn’t find any reason to change the defenders, they played very well. That’s the reason I kept the same 11. But now we will see.
