Nigel Adkins has said that there will be no ill feeling when he welcomes Mauricio Pochettino to the dugout at the Madejski Stadium.

Reading and Southampton go head to head in the early kickoff on Saturday as both teams continue their fight against relegation.

The Argentine was appointed at St Mary's just hours after Adkins had been relieved of his duties, but said that he respects the 41-year-old's achievements on the South Coast.

Royals boss Adkins reflected those sentiments, stating that he will gladly share a drink with his counterpart after the match has concluded.

"We welcome the opposition management to the Madejski Stadium and, like every opposition team, we always invite them in for a drink afterwards, win, lose or draw," Adkins told reporters.

"Situations happen in life and in football. I had a fantastic relationship with the supporters and everyone at Southampton but that has now gone. We had a fantastic journey there and that can never be taken away. We were with the players for two-and-a-half years and we were very successful in that spell and we played some good football.

"The situation has happened and what we have to do is move on. You have to move forward. That is the reality. You can either dwell on the past or get on with things."

Adkins secured back-to-back promotions from League One during his time with Southampton.

Written by
Michael Penkman