Nigel Adkins was in magnanimous mood after his Reading side were pipped to the final playoff spot by Brighton & Hove Albion on the final day of the Championship season.
The Royals could only draw 2-2 with Burnley, while a Leonardo Ulloa header gave Brighton a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in the final few minutes of the campaign.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Adkins said: "It's not a nice dressing room right now, as you can imagine. We play 46 Championship games and the players work hard, so credit to the players.
"We've had a go over the course of the season you end up where you end up, so we'll reflect and regroup and get ourselves ready for the future.
"We wish everybody in the playoffs all the best and good luck to them."
Brighton are joined in the playoffs by Wigan Athletic, Queens Park Rangers and Derby County.