Sam Baldock has stated that former Reading manager, Jose Gomes, felt that it was better that he moved on.

The striker hardly played under the Portuguese boss, and only appeared in one Championship game this season before Mark Bowen took over.

The Welshman decided to start Baldock in Tuesday night's draw with QPR, and it was a move that had its rewards as the 30-year-old tapped home the leveller to keep Reading's unbeaten run under Bowen going.

This weekend, the Royals take on an out-of-form Nottingham Forest side looking for three points that can send them further away from the bottom of the table.

Baldock has expressed his feelings and how he knew there'd be an opportunity in the future, and that he had to be ready.

Speaking to Berkshire Live, Baldock said: "I contributed wherever I could. He [Jose Gomes] was often asking for my opinion in meetings. He made it clear I wasn't part of his starting plans and it was better for me to move on.

"I wouldn't say I was down. I just knuckled down and tried to work on different aspects of my game like upper body or lifestyle.

"There's no point in beating yourself up because football is a game of opinions and things change really quickly.

"I had a feeling an opportunity might come around again and it was down to me that I was in my best possible shape to take it."

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The Verdict

Baldock has been very good since Bowen took over, and that goal will have done him the world of good in terms of confidence. It's so important for your strikers to score goals as it breeds confidence in the team.

Up top, he looked very good playing alongside Romanian George Puscas, so that could be an avenue that Bowen looks to exploit in the future, but so far it's been promising.

Baldock clearly didn't see eye to eye with the former manager, but that happens a lot in different squads and he'll just be making sure that he makes the most of this opportunity, especially while Lucas Joao is out with injury.