"Everything that was good about us in midweek wasn't good today," he said.
"We showed quality to get into the areas we wanted to be in but a mixture of poor decision making and poor final ball let us down.
"We started on the back foot and we were lacklustre and it's difficult to put your finger on it. We need to show courage and bravery at home to make things happen and we didn't do that today."
Obviously Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate was the happier of the two maagers.
"I am pleased for them at the end of what has been a difficult week. They responded with a calmness and unity," Southgate said.
"Some supporters have expressed their displeasure, which I have accepted. Our job is to manage the club through difficult times.
"It's easy to manage when things are going well but the margins between success and failure are so small.
"I selected Leroy Lita to play against his old club because you just knew what was going to happen.
"He missed pre-season so he is still coming back to sharpness but he was terrific."