READING FC manager Ruben Selles admitted that his team are feeling ‘down’ after they lost a two goal lead in their defeat to table toppers Portsmouth.
The Royals are now bottom of the table after their home defeat to Portsmouth having lost 10 of their 14 games in League One.
“It changed the entire mood of the team,” said Selles reflecting on Portmousth’s goal to equalise with the last play of the first-half.
“We made some adjustments in the way we play with two eights and they scored both goals. We were not capable to keep the lead. At 2-1 we had an amazing opportunity to go 3-1 before the end (of the half). We don’t put the ball in the net.
“We had situations to equalise but we didn’t. We were competitive against one of the best teams but we need more.
“We have seen Portsmouth are direct in their approach and we expected that. We had one extra man in the middle of the pitch to have our defenders more comfortable and get more of those second actions.
“We need to defend better the crosses that cost us the goals but we created enough quality chances.”
Selles added that the mood of his team is low and that they must now respond quickly to get points on the board.
He continued: “Our performances aren’t at the bottom of the league, we have performed to take more points.
“A mix of everything puts us in that situation. There is only one way to do it to reverse that.
“We need to evolve into a version where we are competitive and also win football matches.
“The situation has been really hard from the very beginning. We expected with results to put some calmness into the situation. The entire situation has been really difficult to manage.
“The players right now are down because they showed we can do things and compete. We know our potential as a group but we need to make it effective and get points on our side.
“It’s arrived to a point where we can’t make excuses. I think we are better than being bottom of the table and we need to show that.”
