Reading FC manager Veljko Paunovic admitted that he was disappointed with the ‘character and mentality’ shown by his team in defeat to Luton Town.
The Royals have now gone seven games without a win in the Championship and are in the midst of a relegation battle.
They sit just one place above the dropzone having played one more match than 22nd placed Peterborough United.
“I was very disappointed with the mentality and character we showed,” said Paunovic.
“We’ve lost games in the past but we’ve never been so flat.
“It’s time for self criticism and I put myself first.
“Negativity is not what we need now. We must look at the immediate reaction.
“We have to play games with more urgency, anger and courage.
“We didn’t have energy. There wasn’t a lack of willingness but it was a bad day.”
“We look around and find those who are willing to go the extra mile and fix this and fix the confidence around the club.
The Serbian boss commented on the situation regarding Liam Moore after he was stripped of the club captaincy.
He continued: “Liam, first of all is injured.
“The situation with captaincy is something that I wanted to make a change and I communicated that with him.
“He has carried a lot of burden and needs to focus on his performances.”
Paunovic also encouraged his team to have more ‘courage’ in the final third.
“We got in the final third in the first half as we wanted but then we got stuck.
“The final decision has to be made with courage.
“The club matters to all of us. We’re not going to quit and we’re here fighting a hard fight.
“We’ve had so many difficulties but we keep going and fight.”
