Reading boss Ruben Selles was left ‘disappointed’ as the Royals exited the EFL Trophy with a penalty shootout defeat to Brighton U21s.
Selles was serving a one match touchline ban as he watched from the stands to see his side fail to break down the Seagulls in a goalless draw before they lost 3-2 in the penalty shootout to decide the contest.
“We as a team are disappointed as we didn’t get what our performance deserved,” said Selles.
“We created good chances but were not clear in our finishing and when you rely on penalties, anything can happen.
“Overall, I am proud of the efforts we put in, but in these kind of games where you are going to come up against teams who are resolute in their defending, we have to be clinical as you never know how many chances you are going to get to take something out of the game.
“Looking at the performance on the whole, the performance was pleasing, but the execution of key moments did not fall out way.”
The Royals boss admitted that the EFL Trophy is a competition that he wanted his side to do ‘great things’ in, but now has to focus on just League One action as their journey ended.
He continued: “This was a competition where we wanted to do great things so it’s bitterly disappointing to go out.
“But now, our reality is the league and focusing on the main battle of climbing up the table.
“We’ve had a harsh lesson this evening, but there is no point in dropping our shoulders as we have to pick ourselves up and be prepared to go again against Port vale this weekend and find the form we ended with before our break.”
