Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe believes his side are "nowhere near" the levels he requires.
He issued a public warning to his players as they prepare to host Nottingham Forest on Tuesday (February 22).
It came after his side suffered a 3-2 defeat at home to Reading, who are battling to avoid relegation from the Championship.
Lowe's men were 3-0 down after 55 minutes and looked lacklustre for much of the match.
Forest are just two points above Preston in the Championship table heading into Tuesday's fixtures.
That gap could soon open up further if the bad performances continue for Preston.
“However it finds a way into the back of the net, that then gives you that lifeline but I just thought today wasn’t a good day for us," Lowe told LancsLive.
“Footballing wise, effort wise, they were just nowhere near the levels. They gave it a good go toward the end and rightly so as the fans were getting behind them but it’s one to put to bed quickly as we’ve got a massive game on Tuesday.”
