Boss disappointed with loss in important game

Nigel Adkins knew the importance of the Bournemouth game, but was frustrated to see his side outplayed.

The Royals were well and truly beaten by Eddie Howe’s side, with our defending in the first half effectively losing us the game. The loss means that the Cherries close the gap to two points between them and us in sixth place – it is certainly hotting up.

Speaking to the Official Reading FC website, Adkins said: ‘We needed to not get beat tonight and I’m really disappointed we haven’t done that. Credit to Bournemouth for how they played, but again we’ve conceded three poor goals and we’ve got to do better than that.’

‘We came here to get a result and we haven’t done it. It was an opportunity to close the gap and if we’d won we’d have been a point behind Wigan. But as it is, the teams below us have closed the gap on us. I’m positive and excited about what’s ahead.’

Nothing sugar-coated there by Adkins – Bournemouth were much the better team and our defending was shambolic. It certainly makes the play-off race more interesting and with a tough run of fixtures coming up, it is going to be hard to call at this stage who will make it.