Friend sinks Reading as they call in Gomes
reading 0 Middlesbrough 1 Friend 77 Reading caretaker manager Scott Marshall has been reassured of his future after the club appointed Jose Gomes as their new boss to replace the sacked Paul Clement.
In Marshall’s last match in temporary charge, Reading lost at home to Middlesbrough to make it seven matches without a win – three of them under Marshall.
Boro created a series of half chances throughout, but had to wait until the 77th minute to snatch the winner.
Skipper George Friend arrived in the home area with perfect timing to turn in Paddy Mcnair’s low cross.
Gomes watched the match and was appointed to his new role shortly after the end.
“I’ve been focusing mainly on the game,” Marshall, the Reading Under-23s coach, said before Gomes’ appointment had been confirmed.
“But I believe that there is something going on here. I’ve really enjoyed the experience. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the players as a group.
“The Championship is really competitive and there is some great quality in it. It is ferociously competitive to get out of.”
Lowly Reading mustered little in attack, with Boro goalkeeper Darren Randolph enjoying a relatively comfortable afternoon.
“In the game, we had a couple of really good chances,” Marshall added.
“It was always going to be important to get the first goal as Boro have got a great defensive record.”
Boro ended a run of five matches without a win, keeping them in the promotion mix.
“When things are going well, everyone gets too excited,” manager Tony Pulis said.
“When things aren’t going well, everyone gets down in the dumps. Win, lose or draw – be happy when you win, smile when you lose.”
On being criticised by some Boro fans for some of his substitutions, Pulis said: “I’ve been in the game so long to understand that everyone has their own opinion.
“Management is difficult, whatever level you are at, what team you’re at and what you’re doing.
“English football is the greatest in the world because it’s the most competitive.
“Week in, week out, it’s tough and it’s hard. But we’ve got an honest group. We need to add to it because there’s a lack of real pace and power that we need to find.
“If we can do that, then we’ll push on and we’ll be fine.”