FORMER Saints manager Nigel Adkins shrugged off fears for his job after Reading extended their winless run to seven games with a 3-0 defeat at play-off hopefuls Bournemouth.

Three goals in 14 second-half minutes condemned the Berkshire outfit to a third successive loss as Callum Wilson and Brett Pitman combined to earn the Cherries victory in the Sky Bet Championship.

Former Coventry striker Wilson opened the scoring with a free header five minutes after half-time before turning provider for Pitman, who coolly slotted past Adam Federici.

The Jersey-born striker then grabbed his second of the game from a Matt Ritchie corner to wrap up the points and Bournemouth's fifth victory in six outings.

But Adkins insists he is not worried about getting the axe, despite nine Championship managers already losing their jobs.

Adkins, appointed Royals boss in April 2013 a few weeks prior to the club’s relegation from the Championship, 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."

Adkins was appointed Saints boss in September 2010 but, after masterminding back to back promotions, was controversially axed by then chairman Nicola Cortese two days after a 2-2 draw at Chelsea.