Reading manager Mark Bowen has claimed his side "will not go anywhere near relegation" despite losing 3-0 to Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night.

The Royals are now just five points off the relegation zone and have won just once in their last ten Championship matches.

On Saturday, Reading have another massive match as they host Barnsley, who are one of the sides currently sitting in the relegation places.

It seems as though the fight for survival in the Championship is going to go right to the wire, with the three sides at the bottom of the league all winning in midweek.

Bowen has claimed that his side will not be pulled into the relegation battle and insisted that the defeat to Wigan was a wake-up call for his team.

Speaking to Berkshire Live, Bowen said: "I know my players and we will not go anywhere near relegation. But today is a wake-up call for everybody. We have got to get back to what we do and what we do well, simple as that."

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The Verdict

Bowen is being very naive to suggest his side aren't in a relegation battle. If Reading lose on Saturday then they could be within two points of the relegation zone.

It's worrying times at the club and it seems as though they're only going one way after the recent results in the league.

Saturday's game is absolutely massive for both the manager and the club and a loss could send alarm bells the way of the owners.

Reading have to find a way of showing their quality and get players such as John Swift and Ovie Ejaria more involved in the game.