Reading FC manager Leam Richardson admitted his side were unable to sustain a strong first-half display as the Royals slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Bradford City on Saturday.
The Royals now only sit above the League One relegation zone on goal difference after back-to-back league defeats.
Second-half goals from Antoni Sarcevic and Bobby Pointon sealed the points for the Bantams as they maintained their push for automatic promotion.
Speaking to RoyalsTV, Richardson said: “The result was disappointing. I thought in the first half, for an away performance, it was very good. Our energy, how we pressed them and forced them long, and the way we transitioned was excellent. We had some big chances that we have to do better with.
“My disappointment was that we couldn’t sustain it in the second half. The first goal disappointed us quite a lot.”
Richardson pointed to the contrast in stability between the two clubs, noting that Bradford have benefited from continuity under boss Graham Alexander, while Reading continue to adapt following significant change behind the scenes.
“They have been together and recruiting under Graham for more than two years,” Richardson added.
“They have a clear style of play and a lot of continuity and sustainability, whereas our club has gone through the opposite with a big transition of change. You can see the difference.
“We have to get there, and we will get there as a club. Will it happen overnight? No. Will it happen through hard work and strong habits with good people? Of course it will.”
The Reading manager also paid tribute to the travelling supporters, who sold out their allocation for the trip to West Yorkshire.
“You can never say enough,” he said.
“I appreciate them straight away before the game. I know how expensive it is and how much effort goes into travelling around the country for your weekend.
“At half-time and full-time I ask myself, could the lads give us any more? When the answer is no, that’s the least you can give the supporters. Could we make better decisions and get better results? Of course we can. It’s not for the lack of trying. We’ll go back, evolve and get better.”
