The Birkenhead-born boss has yet to win a game since taking over at the Berkshire club following the sacking of Brian McDermott back in March.

However, he believes that the passing principles he is attempting to instil will take a long time to sink in with his players.

He told BBC Radio Berkshire: "I want the players to work hard. I want the players to get the supporters off their feet. I want us to score goals. I want us to pass the football.

"That's a work in progress, it doesn't happen overnight. It takes time to build on things."

Royals midfielder Danny Guthrie echoed Adkins' sentiments, saying his team-mates have to make small changes and take things 'step by step'.

"I think the period is too short to do it [change the system], it will take a while and we are changing smaller things at the moment, little details but it is difficult to ask to change from one style to another and it is something we are doing step by step," he told Sky Sports.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Adam Federici expressed his belief that the Reading squad are ready to embrace the new manager's philosophies.

"The manager that has come in now, he wants to pass the ball and we are looking forward to adapting towards that," he said.

"Previously we played a different way and as footballers we want to play football. We are looking forward to the challenge of changing the way we play and finally getting some structure to the team and looking forward to the weekend.

"As a team Reading plays a particular way so to come in and change something in a week is a big ask so it will be a gradual things."