Royals boss Steve Coppell was left to rue another missed opportunity as his team were beaten 1-0 at home by relegation-haunted Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Reading were completely on top in the first half, and if Jimmy Kebe had taken a cracking chance with less than two minutes gone, we would almost certainly have won.
But the second half was a very different story and Forest slowed the game down to a snail's pace before Lewis McGugan snatched the all-important goal.
Steve told our online TV station Reading World afterwards, "It was frustrating and ultimately very disappointing.
"In the first 45 I thought we played some really good stuff, I thought it was a good home performance.
"At half time there was a buzz in the dressing room, all the signs were there that we wouldn't get distracted, we'd push on and get a positive result.
"As soon as the second half started we weren't as fluent, that was obvious. Jimmy got a knock, I had to bring Tabby on and McGugan scored, he's a good player for them.
"At 1-0 down we had to do something different, we couldn't continue on the same path, I tried to get as many goalscorers as I could on the park.
"We were disappointing from set pieces, Forest clogged us up and they slowed us down.
"They play with a holding midfielder, big Moussi was in there for them and then the two centre backs behind him. You're looking for a bit of magic from a wide player, some individual brilliance from a forward or maybe Marek to sliderule a pass in. But because we were anxious you just lump it in - and we never cleared the first man.
"I would never criticise our effort or intent, but in technique and creating opportunities we didn't deliver."
Coppell admits Forest took an age whenever there was a stoppage in play, and wanted more help from the referee Neil Swarsbrick, who took until the 70th minute to punish a visiting player by showing a yellow card.
Steve said, "Everything took an eternity but I'm not complaining, they've got every right to do it and you just hope the referee balances it up. So to get only five minutes of injury time considering the five subs and a couple of injuries was disappointing.
"The buzzword this season from officials has been communication, but I don't want to talk to them, I just want them to be strong and make decisions."
Steve made three changes to his starting eleven, and has not yet decided about his time for the upcoming away trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday evening.
He said, "It's too early to say, I've not a clue. The changes I made today were gut feelings rather than 'I know this will improve us.' You have to go on that at this time of year.
"There are a lot of games coming and we need to stand up and be counted. There are no hiding places.
"The top places in this league will go to the teams with the strongest mentality, that is clear.
"It needs a team to go on a good run, and I'm convinced we can do that, even if the signs indicate otherwise.
"We've got to do it the hard way away from home now. But the prize is massive, we'll roll our sleeves up and go for it."
