Alex Dyer was in philosophical mood after watching his young reserve side lose out to a vastly more experienced West Bromwich Albion team on Tuesday evening.
The 4-2 defeat at The Hawthorns was the reserves' first in three matches, but their manager believes the game will form a vital part of the learning curve his youngsters must undertake when making the transition from youth to reserve-team football.
"It was good experience to come and play at this stadium. I was a bit disappointed because we didn't start the game well and came in 2-0 down at half time," Dyer said.
"We're disappointed but they're young lads and they need to go through this if they want to carry on with their career it's going to happen. This isn't going to be the first time and hopefully they've learnt from it. I've learnt from it as well and we'll go on and next week play again."
The home side dominated proceedings in the opening period but, after finding themselves two goals down at the interval, the visitors rallied in the second half and hit back through goals from Zavon Hines and Matt Fry. Dyer explained that some strong words at half-time helped get team back into the game.
"We came in at half-time and sorted a few things out in the changing room. I just wanted to point out a couple of tactical things as well as the work-rate of the team. I think for the first time since I've taken over they did not compete. No matter what tactics you play you've got to be able to go with runners and give 100 per cent every time and we didn't do that.
"The second half we came out and we improved. We still made little mistakes, but we can live with that. All I was looking for was a good attitude, which they showed in the second half."
As well getting the goals on the night, Fry and Hines' all-round performances particularly pleased their manager, on a night of development in the Midlands. Dyer said: "Matty [Fry] played well I thought. Both he and Zavon Hines both worked hard and they were plusses on the night.
"But it's hard to pick out too many positives. It's not about the result as I keep saying every week, but you want the lads to feel well that they have done well. They haven't done that but they are young and they have to learn and hopefully they have learnt a lesson."
The reserves will finish their season with a trip to Portsmouth next Tuesday, where Dyer is hoping his side can end their campaign strongly.
"I hope we can end on a high as they have done well this year. I've enjoyed the experience of taking charge of a team and I'm hoping that come next week we carry on playing as we have been doing and once that happens they can go away feeling that they have done well this season.
"They are young lads. Most of them have only played in the youth team, but now they've stepped up and they've had the opportunity to play reserve-team football and they've done well. Tuesdaywas just a bridge too far."