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George Elokobi made his feelings clear after Maidstone’s FA Trophy second-round exit at Horsham.
Stones boss Elokobi was quick to congratulate the Isthmian Premier Hornets on a well-deserved 2-1 victory.
But he made no secret of his own side’s shortcomings, accusing them of lacking fight and desire in failing to offer the basics against their lower-league hosts.
Elokobi rested skipper Sam Corne and top goalscorer Aaron Blair, among four changes, bringing them on midway through the second half.
Those coming into the team had been pushing for action but Elokobi was unimpressed as Maidstone, joining the competition in round two, fell at the first hurdle.
They trailed to Daniel Ajakaiye’s second-minute header, with Reece Myles-Meekums making it two before Ben Brookes replied with a late penalty.
“It shows us where we are and it's important that we learn from this,” said Elokobi, who brought Bivesh Gurung, Riley Court, Matt Bentley and Shaq Coulthirst into the side.
“It's important we are honest because when we come to places like this in the cup competition, where we’ve got a chance to compete against a good side, first we have to roll our sleeves up and dig deep to earn the right to be able to impose ourselves in the game.
“Then there's a chance to obviously go to Wembley, but that's over, because the team that started, they didn't do the basics.
“There was no fight, we didn't compete enough.
“There was no desire, determination, discipline in terms of our patterns, we were playing within ourselves, as individuals instead of being a team.
“Yes, we are on this incredible run in the league (eight games unbeaten, stretching back two months).
“However, when it comes to days like this, you find out about the group and find out about personalities, and you find out about those who have been knocking on my door trying to break it down.
“We have the conversation, where do I need to improve?
“This is where you need to improve, and then they come out and play within themselves, and then they go on like they are doing the club a favour.
“No, it’s the other way around. Maidstone United Football Club, our owners pay everybody and pay them fairly.”
Elokobi instructed the team to watch the game back before reporting for training on Monday, in preparation for Tuesday night’s rearranged National League South game at Bath.
“It's never been easy there,” he added.
“My conversation with the team in the changing room is, if you're going turn up and stay on the coach and not come out for 70 minutes, think a bit again, travelling to Bath on Tuesday because they are waiting for us.
“It's about now the resilience we’ve been talking about, the ruthlessness and the desire to want to play and wear the badge and represent Maidstone United Football club, like it means something to some of them.
“I didn't see that there for 70 minutes today, and that's the honest truth.”
Corne and Blair are set to return to the starting XI at Bath.
Elokobi felt they needed a breather against Horsham, a decision he stands by despite the result.
“These players have been playing a lot of minutes and we have to be mindful there's others in the squad that we need to trust and they need to come out and do themselves justice,” said Elokobi.
“Sam Corne isn’t going to play every single game.
“He played 60-odd games last season.
“He's been playing ever-present this season after his injury.
“Aaron Blair trains like a beast and plays like one.
“There's that fine margin between fatigue and injuries and you’ve got to look at your key players and, as much as you want to play them, you need to try and protect them because we've got a small squad.
“There’s never regrets. I make the decision to pick players and I have selected the team, giving everyone a fair chance to get some minutes under their belt and get up to speed and get sharp.”
