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Our unbeaten run at the Madejski Stadium in 2016 has ended after a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Birmingham City.
The visitors took the lead in the second minute and it was clear to see that no comeback was going to happen, Brian McDermott told the official club website: "Today was a tough one, we're disappointed to lose the game and our unbeaten league record here in 2016, which had been a real positive for us.
"But we came up against a well organised Birmingham side and we conceded early. We've played some terrific football in the last two fixtures, in wins against Bolton and Forest, but although we saw a lot of the ball today, we didn't create.
"We certainly had a lot of possession in the second half and if we can score that early goal in the second half then maybe we can get back into it, but it wasn't to be.
"They got behind the ball and made it difficult. They've had two shots and scored them both - one in the second minute and one from a set play - so it's a really disappointing day for the lads and the fans. It certainly wasn't our day."
This week sees us head up to Middlesbrough on Tuesday followed by another long trip to Leeds United on Saturday, and we hope to return to our good form, McDermott added: "We'll train and get ourselves ready. I'm staying down to watch the under-21s here and I'll get a train up there on Tuesday, but the rest of the squad will go up on the Monday and prepare for the next game.
"We put this afternoon down to a difficult day and put it to bed early. Then, with six games to go, we have to let our fans see plenty of motivation in the side and players who are ready to play for their shirt in each and every game.
"Bad days happen in football, we have to take this one on the chin. But all you can do, bad day or good day, is get on with the next one.
"And we've got another game on Tuesday at Middlesbrough, a team looking to get themselves in the Premier League in the next few weeks, and then a real tough one at Leeds next weekend."