READING FC manager Paul Ince believes that his team ‘competed well’ despite losing at Watford.
A goal in each half from Brazilian striker Joao Pedro gave the Hornets three points as the Royals’ stuttering form continued.
“We gave it a go,” said Ince.
“We’re nowhere near at the stage where Watford are. They’ve just come down from the Premier League, they will probably go up.
“The game plan was working. We took 10 or 15 mins to get to grips with it in the first-half.
“We gave a silly penalty away. They scored from that but after that we looked like the better team, we started to pass but lacked cutting edge up top.
“We got to 84 minutes, we changed it to try and get something out the game and you lose one at the end.
“We competed well and had a go and that’s all you can ask for a team where we are.
“Our season won’t be based on Watford and teams like that, it will be based on teams around us where we’ve got to pick up wins.
“I’m pleased with the lads and the effort they put in we just didn’t have the cutting edge.”
The Royals boss confirmed that he expects both Tom McIntyre and Joe Lumley to miss out on the trip to Hull with injuries.
He continued: “Joe has been fantastic for us this season. To lose him at a crucial moment, he’s a talker, he organises the back four. It’s a massive, massive blow for us.
“It’s been like that all season for us. We lost Tom Mac yesterday and Joe today.
“Joe will probably be two or three weeks and Tom Mac will be out for a month
“The World Cup can’t come quick enough. Our squad is done to the bare bones, we’re getting injuries and it’s tough.
“We go to Hull to try to get a result and then have a well earned break. Our squad is falling to pieces.
“We’re playing the same players and are asking them to put in performances. As a club we have to understand where we are. The embargo is tough.”
