Reading opt for Adkins as new boss

 

With news filtering through of Nigel Adkins appointment at Reading, Christian Crowther suggests Premier League survival is still unlikely...

 

Out of a job in January and reappointed in March, it's been a mercifully short period of unemployment for axed Southampton boss Nigel Adkins.

 

Reading have now confirmed Adkins' appointment as manager, with just eight games left of the Premier League season and the Royals in 19th place, seven points adrift of safety.

 

It looks a mountainous task to keep Reading up from here, reflected by their odds of 1.09 for the drop, though the 48-year-old has already been quick to assure fans that is his intention.

 

"We've got to believe we can do it. I want to be in the Premier League. I'm excited about the future. I've had two weeks off. I am passionate about football, they are fighting, they have a good spirit and I'm looking forward to Arsenal on Saturday. We will scrap, it's about the here and now. We have to concentrate on the Premier League."

 

Whether or not Adkins can keep Reading afloat is a hard question to answer, but considering he has just five months of Premier League managerial experience on his CV, the chances have to be slim.

 

Despite showing a flicker of recovery at the start of the year, Reading have since flat-lined, losing five straight league games ahead of their clash with Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday.

 

With the Gunners chasing down Tottenham in fifth and having already beaten Reading twice this season (once after extra time), it's difficult to see the visitors getting anything in north London. The draw is currently rated at 6.6, but it's clearly wins that they need now.

 

To the neutral observer, Adkins' instalment could easily be interpreted as a decision taken with next season in mind, rather than one intended to bring about the great escape.

 

After all, Southampton's board clearly didn't trust his ability to keep them in the top flight and, though it was a very harsh axing, the fact that Adkins didn't appear to be Reading's first choice judging by their pursuit of Gus Poyet is significant.

 

He does however have proven form in getting Southampton promoted to the Premier League (not to mention achieving three more promotions from League One) and, in all probability, this will be his task again next season.

 

Whatever the outcome happens to be from the remainder of the season, this does look a good move for Adkins, as Reading is a club very much set up for Premier League involvement and supposedly with some money to spend in the summer.

 

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