thewayneiac: Does that mean he wanted them to put more pressure on him? First he insists that there's no way he can pilot the Eva, then he's upset when they accept that and send for Rei. He wishes they had continued to pressure him to pilot, so he would feel needed.
OMF: I don't think just any pressure would do, though. Acknowledgement, of any kind, from his father was what he was ultimately looking for.
Dream: Very appropiate that the Rei 1 theme starts here, in a way we are all replaceable aren't we?