Nigel Adkins insists Reading are "resilient" after hammering at Birmingham City

Reading manager Nigel Adkins insisted that he is "resilient" and has backed his side to bounce back after their heavy defeat at Birmingham City.

The Royals were hammered 6-1 at St Andrews this afternoon to drop to 16th in the Championship table.

"We're mid-table, it's a heavy defeat and there's no problem with people asking questions," Adkins told the club website.

"But I know I'm resilient, there's a lot of grit, I'll reflect on today, lead from the front and will be up and raring to go because we've got to turn it around.

"We are all deeply, deeply disappointed. I highlight the supporters all the time and I was talking to a lot of them before kickoff and we appreciate their efforts. Unfortunately today it was a very poor scoreline."

The Royals next host playoff contenders Watford in a week's time.