Reading FC manager Ruben Selles blamed a ‘poor’ first-half performance for his team’s defeat at relegation threatened Burton Albion.
The Royals lost out 3-2 against Burton despite goals from Lewis Wing and Sam Smith.
“It was a poor first half performance where the opponent pushed us back with some direct balls,” said Selles.
“We had a couple of mistakes where we concede the first two goals.
“We got to 2-1 and thought it could give us energy and momentum back so the third goal was a disappointing moment.
“The second-half we tried to score the second and kept them in their box, but the managed to keep the score so it’s disappointing, especially the first-half.
“The situation for both teams is different, they have their own motivation, they’re playing to survive. We have a couple of moments when we lose our application and concede the goals.
“I have nothing more to say to my boys than that we needed to start better in the game.”
Selles is now looking ahead to the final game of the campaign and has challenged his side to find a ‘better version’ of themselves.
He continued: It (the away form) was an issue at the beginning of the season.
“I don’t think it’s been an issue after the first few games away. We have been consistent and put performances together.
“We have been pretty decent since November in that sense. The context of the game is different.
“It’ll be a tough game, we need to be prepared and ready for that. We need to close the season the way we deserve to close the season.
“We need to have a game where we are ourselves, have good application from the very beginning. We need a better version of ourselves for the last game.”
