READING FC manager Paul Ince told his team they ‘let the club down’ after their heavy defeat to Stoke City.
The Royals sit in 14th place after they shipped four goals without reply to the Potters.
“No one enjoyed it. We let our fans down today,” said Ince.
“One thing for sure is my teams compete and they didn’t compete today. They let themselves, the fans and the club down today.
“If I could have taken 11 people off at half-time, I would have done and I don’t like to say that.
“Defensively we cost ourselves three goals today. They didn’t cut us apart. It was our own negligence. We allowed the crowd to get up and after that it was tough.”
Despite enjoying excellent home form throughout the season, the Royals have the third worst away record in the division.
Speaking on the reasons for their struggles on the road, Ince said: “It’s always a tricky one. We went to Norwich and got a draw, should have beat Swansea and Burnley. Won at Millwall.
“Is it mental toughness? I don’t know what it is because we’ve gone to teams and done well. It’s hard to put your finger on it because the home form is very good.
“I said to the players, forget about the play-offs crap because if you want to stay in this league, you need to start winning games away. It can quickly change.
“When we do things like we do today it upsets me. You can’t give teams the initiative.
“My focus as the manager was always on the Stoke game, whether the players did I don’t know.
“There’s been no Man United talk but the way we played you’d think a few players had their mind on the United game.
“We will come in Monday and watch the whole game again, make ourselves accountable because we can’t make mistakes like that.
“The way we played, you’d think a few players had their mind on the Man United game.
“I’m glad we’ve had that kick up the arse because it might make us get our arse in gear.
“I’m not really bothered about Man United if I’m honest.
“It’s a great draw for the fans and financially will be great for the club. But it’s another distraction. We’ve got injuries.”
