Reading ‘mixed up the basics’ in their loss to Millwall, boss Veljko Paunovic said following his side’s second successive home loss.

The Royals lost at the Madejski again despite having taken the lead in the first half -- a repeat of Wednesday’s loss against Brentford.

And Paunovic put his team’s fall down to ‘fundamental’ errors. 

Speaking after the game, he said: “It’s a hard loss. In the first half, we played a difficult game against a difficult opponent and we had a couple of opportunities we should have scored.

“We mixed up the basics in defending and converting our opportunities. 

“You have to be clinical and increase your advantage.

READ MORE: Updates as they came in from Reading's loss to Millwall

“We lost a little bit of clarity in the moments when we conceded.

“We have to learn when we concede it’s not the end of the world. We will look to be proactive.”

And the manager issued a rallying call to his players following the defeat

READ MORE: Match report from Reading's loss to Millwall

He added: “We have to bounce back immediately. 

“It’s an important moment in the season for us. 

“Today’s performance wasn’t good. 

“For the next game, we have to have everyone on the same page.”

READ MORE: Player ratings from Reading's loss to Millwall

Reading, who remain fifth in the table, take on Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Tuesday.

And they will do so without first-team regular John Swift, who faces a spell on the sidelines.

Paunovic added: “Swift has a long term injury. 

“It is a hamstring injury which will take more than six weeks.”

Despite the setback, Paunovic said the club was not looking to sign any free agents to boost the squad’s depth.