PAUL McShane admitted Reading FC struggled to get even the basics right in their 3-1 defeat at Blackburn.

Royals' captain was highly critical of his side's performance at Ewood Park as Brian McDermott's men ended the Championship season with a sixth defeat in seven matches.

“We started off really sloppy in the first 20 minutes and we didn’t really get going,” said McShane, after Elliot Bennett and Danny Graham put Rovers 2-0 ahead with 14 minutes gone.

“It was misplaced pass after misplaced pass and balls out of play - simple, basic things that we haven’t been getting right for the second half of the season. It pretty much summed up our year.

“But you have to stick with football and persevere, because things can change really quick.

“I’m looking forward to next season already, and I’ll get myself mentally and physically ready for pre-season and hopefully get a good start and see where it takes us.”

Yann Kermorgant did pull one back for the Royals on Saturday only for Simeon Jackson to add a third for the hosts.

“It’s about being able to win games and having that bit of know-how,” added McShane. “We certainly haven’t had that this season.

“We’ve made too many mistakes, we’ve conceded too many bad goals, and we haven’t really scored many either.

“It has been a bad combination of everything and something we need to put right in the summer.

“We’ve played some really good football at times and played some really good games, but we haven’t kept consistency up.

“We’re 17th in the league for a reason. Overall we’ve not been good enough.”

He also added: “I don’t mind young lads coming in and making honest mistakes. Rob Dickie came in and did really well at right-back.

“He’s an honest, hard-working lad that wants to do well. If we have a group that want that and can do that, we’ll be up there.”

The season, which saw Reading finish 17th after finishing 19th the previous year, has been tough for fans to endure, though almost 450 made the long trip to Blackburn for their annual, end-of-season 'inflatables day.'

And McShane paid tribute to loyal supporters saying: “Fair play to those fans that travel a long way – they are a true hard core.

“They have been really good home and away – at home when we’ve played some good football and had some good performances they have created a great atmosphere at the Madejski.

“It has been a tough season away from home, like coming away to Blackburn where there’s nothing to play for and the teams aren’t fighting for anything in particular.

“But they still turn up in their numbers and support the lads. We appreciate everything the fans have done for us this season.”