Nigel Adkins faces grim reality at Reading after defeat to Southampton

Reading 0 Southampton 2

Reading manager Nigel Adkins (GETTY IMAGES)

Nigel Adkins will have been left with few illusions after Reading went down 2-0 at home to his former club Southampton.

Despite his perennial positive attitude, Saturday’s clear defeat was Reading’s eighth in a row in all competitions and the new manager must have been horrified by the defending that has cost six goals in his first two games.

Southampton, in contrast, have three Premier League wins in succession for the first time in almost 10 years. The Saints manager, Mauricio Pochettino, certainly has a thriving partnership in Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez, both of whom were outstanding on Saturday. Of Rodriguez, who scored the first goal and made the second for Adam Lallana, he said: “The sky is the limit for him. I don’t see a roof – there is no limit.”

Bookings: None.

Man of the match Rodriguez.

Match rating 6/10.

Possession: Reading 40%. Southampton 60%.

Attempts on target: Reading 2. Southampton 4.

Referee M Jones (Cheshire).

Attendance 24,108.