Veljko Paunovic was left angry at his sides showing in the 2-1 defeat against Birmingham City on Wednesday evening.

Lucas Jutkiewicz opened the scoring early on for the hosts, with Yakou Meite levelling the game before half-time.

But, a second-half goal from Blues skipper Harlee Dean condemned Reading to a first defeat in five.

Speaking after the game, Paunovic criticised his team's lack of urgency.

The Royals boss said: "I am disappointed with the way that we started and the way that we finished.

"Without taking away from Birmingham how they played, we were our worst enemy today.

"The mistakes we made, the way we started the game, is not appropriate or what we are used too.

"We have to learn that everyone is fighting for their lives. We can't let teams grow, build their momentum and today that happened twice. 

"Yes, we reacted well with our equaliser and from that moment I felt that we controlled the game.

"But, that is not enough. You have to learn to kill these games. There is no time any more, urgency is the biggest thing.

"This is not the Reading that it was in the past. I will not allow players to be happy or complacent because of where we are. We don't want people like that here.

"Our mentality and hunger has to improve.

"Today, I feel a big pain because of losing the game the way we lost."

Talking about the mindset of his team, Paunovic challenged his team to be on top from the start in the upcoming games.

"I know that our team is capable of better and has the identity and character to play until the end.

"But, you don't want to put yourself in a problem and then react. We have to impose ourselves. 

"The hunger has to be there, the drive has to be there. I think, at some point today, we didn't have it.

"This is the first time I saw this image of our team. I never want to see it again."

Talking about his teams struggle to break down sides who sit deep against Reading, Paunovic added: "We have shown against Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday we are capable. 

"We have to sustain the pace and the mentality to push them until we push them over the cliff.

"We cannot allow teams anything. We have to get back to that.

"But, we know how to win these games. That is why I am more upset after this game, we didn't apply that today.

"Everyone is fighting. You can't go into the war thinking that it will be alright just showing up. 

"This team did a lot for individuals, a lot of people benefitted, from the media talking about them and everyone being excited with the players we have.

"That is because of the players we have. Now it is time to pay back."