Reading FC manager Veljko Paunovic admitted he needs to ‘fix his team’s mentality’ after their stoppage-time defeat to Middlesbrough.
The Royals had led after Andy Carroll’s opener but Matt Crooks bagged a late double to snatch the points away from Reading.
“Football was cruel to us today,” said Paunovic.
“We were severely punished. It was an amazing performance for 86 minutes and a recovery after the hardest loss in a long time.
“I was pleased with how we reestablished our spirit and game. I’m proud of the effort of the guys.
“We still need to fix our mentality and game management and get the job done until the end, don’t stop.”
The Serbian boss believes that his team’s inexperience cost them the ability to see out the game, which has been the case in several matches this season.
“There is a mix of lack of experience and adjustments we have to make because of lack of options because of the injuries we always mention,” he continued.
“That remains an issue.
“We lost Junior (Hoilett) with his hamstring injury and have to make a substitiution. It’s part of the game
“The team in the last minutes cant cope with the pressure
“You have to know the last minutes of the game are the most important.
“Every opportunity you have to slow them down you have to take and that’s something because of inexperience we don’t do well.
“Otherwise, we would have been in a different situation.”
Paunovic is still hopeful that the club can extend Andy Carroll’s stay.
“Today is his last contractual day with us but hopefully, we can have him back as soon as possible, that’s our desire.
“We submitted our offer to his representatives three weeks ago and are still waiting.
“Performances like today, and the whole time he has been with us, he was one of our best players and will have a lot of opportunities so we will see.
“My relationship with him and conversations were always positive so I remain in hope.
“We have to look at what we can do to get him to stay with us.”
