"We were very disappointed with the result, as no-one likes to lose," the new Charlton boss said after the game.
"I wasn't pleased with our first-half performance which was very disjointed and we looked a bit like rabbits caught in headlights
"I was pleased with the response in the second half, our possession was better although we still weren't productive enough.
"It's been a difficult week, but I knew it would be like that and I don't want to make excuses.
"I've learned a lot about the players and their characters from this game, it was a hurdle we had to get over this week and I just hoped we'd get something today but it wasn't to be.
"Reading always looked stronger and more physical than us. We've got a massive job to do here and I've got to get the players to believe we can get out of it.
"I needed to stand back and analyse things today, but I've already got ideas in my mind about how to put things right."