Straight into Lions’ den for Gomes
NEW Reading manager Jose Gomes has some lofty ambitions – but faces a baptism of fire at Millwall this afternoon.
The 48-year-old former Rio Ave boss is the permanent replacement for Paul Clement after being unveiled following the Royals’ home defeat to Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Already Gomes is talking about leading the struggling side, without a win in seven games, back to the promised land of the Premier League. But his team are currently much closer to League One, out of the relegation zone only on goal difference from Neil Harris’s Lions – making the clash a huge six-pointer.
And Gomes was also handed a warning by outgoing caretaker boss Scott Marshall about what he can expect in south London. Marshall, back in charge of the Under-23s, said: “Millwall is his first game – straight into the Lions’ den. It is a fantastic match to look forward to on Boxing Day.
“Coming to England and having a trip to Millwall first up will be a bit of an eye-opener and a huge game for Jose.
“It will be one to roll the sleeves up and get in amongst it, a great game of football. It will be competitive, the crowd will be right on top of him. He will know he’s alive that day.”
Gomes said: “The owner Mr Dai’s project is a big one, and I felt the moment I first arrived that everybody wants the same thing – our place will be in the Premier League.”
Paul Lambert believes his rock-bottom Ipswich can be inspired by the example of today’s opponents QPR.
Steve McClaren’s side were marooned down at the bottom at the beginning of the season but are now in sight of the play-off places.
“It’s a tough, tough game for us, but they showed it’s quite possible to get off the bottom,” said Lambert. “We’re improving fast.”