UNDER-FIRE Nigel Adkins swept aside fears over his job after Tuesday night’s debacle at Bournemouth.

Royals slumped to a third successive defeat in the Championship and have taken a mere two points from the last 18 on offer.

That worrying run has seen the club drop from the play-off positions to 17th in the table and only four points above the drop zone.

With Reading’s new Thai owners determined to deliver Premiuer League football as quickly as possible, the pressure is now on Adkins to turn the club’s fortunes around.

However, the 49-year-old insists he is not looking over his shoulder and that it is business as usual ahead of Saturday’s home clash with basement club Blackpool.

He said: “Everybody is well aware of how football works and if you lose a couple of games in this division you’re under pressure.

“But I try not to really think about that because we as a club have to think about long-term footballing aims.

“But yes you do also have to think short term because you need to get a win as soon as possible to stop questions being asked.

“The beauty of the Championship is that there is a game every three days so you have plenty of chances to pick yourself up and prove yourself with a win.

“Our injury list has been well documented over the past few weeks and months but those players are nearing fitness now so hopefully it will soon change.

“We went on a run of wins earlier this season and now we are on a run of defeats.

“But for me the foundations are in place to move forward and we will all work hard and grind away to ensure that can happen.”

Reading has conceded three goals in their last three Championship matches following earlier defeats by Derby County and Brentford.

But their attempts at bouncing back at Goldsands Stadium were blown apart as a Brett Pitman brace and Callum Wilson goal condemned them to another heavy loss.

However, Adkiins argued: “We wanted to respond to the Derby game and I thought the players did that in the first half.

“We took the game to Bournemouth and came in at half-time with a clean sheet and something to go for.

“We actually did alright at the start of the second half but then we went and conceded the goals and Adam Federici has made some really good saves in the end.

“The goals changed the complexion of the game. They deserved to win.”

And he also stressed: “At the start of the season I said we have to enjoy this division and for everybody to have a smile on their face.

“I don’t want to be in this position. I want to be in the Premier League with Reading and the owners want this as well.

“A result like Tuesday’s doesn’t help but we’ve got to remain positive and be ready for Blackpool on Saturday.”