Club captain Eddie Youds has revealed how Bradford City's players were 'desperate' to give Paul Jewell a winning start to his managerial career.
The Bantams capped Jewell's first official day in charge with a season's best 4-1 home victory over Reading, with two goals by Edinho and one each from Jamie Lawrence and Robbie Blake.
Youds said: "When he was given the job I was delighted, as were the rest of the players.
"He is a very popular figure in the dressing room and is well respected.
"When the appointment was confirmed we were desperate to make it a winning start for him."
Youds added: "He likes us to play flowing football and also tells us that we have got to relax.
"There was no pressure out there last night and that was fairly evident from the way we played. He has got confidence flowing through the dressing room. He puts people at ease and it all came right for us last night.
"The score could have been six or seven and some of the play was brilliant at times. It was nice to see."
Jewell, who has now has seen City win two and draw one of the four matches since he took charge - initially in a caretaker capacity - confessed he had not been happy when Reading took a second-minute lead, but was de-lighted with the outcome.
"It was the most emphatic win we have had here for a long time," he said, "and it could have been more. We seemed to play without fear and it was very pleasing.
"All credit to the players. The three weeks since Chris Kamara left have been difficult for everyone, but the players have got on with their jobs.
"I could not have asked for more from them and I am de-lighted with their response."
No one was more delighted than recalled midfield player Craig Ramage, who has had some wretched luck with in-juries and illness since moving from Watford on a free transfer last summer.
Ramage said: "It has been a stop-start season for me. I can't get myself right. First I had shingles and then it was my knee. Now I hope to get a run into the team and go from there.
"Paul Jewell gave me the role I used to play at Watford just behind the front two.
"He just told us to go out, express ourselves and enjoy ourselves.
"We had a shaky start, but we showed character and came through it. I was just disappointed not to score."
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