PNE boss Simon Grayson was left disappointed with the players application in the 1-0 defeat to Reading this afternoon.
In North End's opening fixture of the 2016/17 season, a John Swift strike mid-way through the first-half saw PNE taste defeat at the Madejski stadium against Reading.
It marked what Grayson described as a 'disappointing' first-half and although there was an improvement in the second 45, the PNE manager was far from pleased with the overall 90 minutes.
After the full-time whistle, he spoke to PNEPlyayerHD about letting Jaap Staam side more time on the ball than they should have.
He said: "We knew that they're a good footballing team; they pass the ball around well but we seemed to be two yards off the pace.
"People weren't getting tight enough to stop them playing and to stop them from getting into a rhythm; if you let good players do that, they'll feel comfortable in doing that.
"We didn't press enough in the right areas to stop them from doing it. Second half we changed the shape a little bit and ultimately we got closer but we still didn't anticipate certain things around the box that we should have."
Today's result is Grayson's first loss on the opening day as a PNE manger and the gaffer was also quick to acknowledge the reality of the situation with 45 games of the campaign to go.
"We're disappointed with how we started the game; we gave them too much respect," he continued.
"It's a disappointing day but nothing's won or lost on the first day of the season. We'll learn from it like we've always said and go again on Tuesday."
For more reaction from the PNE boss as he also talks about one or two decisions not going their way, head to PNEPlayerHD for the full interview.
It marked what Grayson described as a 'disappointing' first-half and although there was an improvement in the second 45, the PNE manager was far from pleased with the overall 90 minutes.
After the full-time whistle, he spoke to PNEPlyayerHD about letting Jaap Staam side more time on the ball than they should have.
He said: "We knew that they're a good footballing team; they pass the ball around well but we seemed to be two yards off the pace.
"People weren't getting tight enough to stop them playing and to stop them from getting into a rhythm; if you let good players do that, they'll feel comfortable in doing that.
"We didn't press enough in the right areas to stop them from doing it. Second half we changed the shape a little bit and ultimately we got closer but we still didn't anticipate certain things around the box that we should have."
Today's result is Grayson's first loss on the opening day as a PNE manger and the gaffer was also quick to acknowledge the reality of the situation with 45 games of the campaign to go.
"We're disappointed with how we started the game; we gave them too much respect," he continued.
"It's a disappointing day but nothing's won or lost on the first day of the season. We'll learn from it like we've always said and go again on Tuesday."
For more reaction from the PNE boss as he also talks about one or two decisions not going their way, head to PNEPlayerHD for the full interview.