David Healy says Linfield's first-half display against Cliftonville fell short of the standards expected from his players.
The Blues fell to a 1-0 defeat at Solitude on Tuesday night, Ronan Doherty's 11th-minute goal earning the Reds maximum points in North Belfast.
It has also sent Paddy McLaughlin's side three points clear at the top of the Irish Premiership, and five ahead of Healy's Linfield.
Read more: Irish Premiership recap as Cliftonville hit top spot with win over Linfield
"It is disappointing. A disappointing result in the end," Healy told Linfield's YouTube page.
"We didn't start the game in the manner we wanted. We spoke to the players at half-time about the first-half performance and it was way shorter than we expected.
"I still thought we should have had a penalty in the first half and should have come in level at the break. And I thought we dominated most of the second half and created numerous chances.
"And if I can be critical, and it's not just the forward players but players in general, is we had so many opportunities in their final third but we weren't picking the right passes.
"We have been on a good run, and I am disappointed to lose tonight, certainly with the manner of the first half. But I have to be upbeat about the second half but we couldn't get the goal."
Tuesday's defeat is Linfield's first in their last 15 games, excluding their Scottish Challenge Cup exit.
Healy is now demanding an immediate response as they look to build more momentum in what is turning into an enthralling title race.
"We have tough games coming up and I can't beat the players up. I want to remain positive," he said.
"We have a huge and tough game coming up against Glenavon, and it is important we recover and refresh and get ready to go and get a quick and desired response on Saturday."
Healy added: "We spoke to the lads in the dressing room an there were some words exchanged again, professional in the way we do it.
"The players understood the first-half performance was short. If you play the way we did in the second half and don't score, then you ask questions why we didn't.
"But we if get a full performance against Glenavon we are more than capable of going there and beating them. But on their day they are more than capable and are strong at home.
"They have beaten us a few times down there so we have to be on it."
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