Reading, QPR relegated from EPL after draw

Reading and Queens Park Rangers became the first teams to be relegated from the English Premier League this season after they drew 0-0 on Sunday.



Both teams needed a win to keep a slim hope alive of overtaking 17th-place Aston Villa, but neither side managed to create many clear-cut chances in a game that featured little creativity or entertainment value.



QPR is leaving the top flight after two years, having stayed up on the last day of last season.



"Next year it will be very difficult to get promoted, there are some good teams," QPR manager Harry Redknapp said.



"For us to get promoted we have to come back in preseason and get super fit. The Championship is Saturday, midweek.



"It you are not fit enough you won't survive, you won't get out of that league. The players that are here have to work so hard and want to get super fit to compete next year."



QPR have spent heavily since owner Tony Fernandes' takeover in 2011, and Redknapp is hopeful the Malaysian's investment will still be rewarded.



"I will get to see him this week and we will have some meetings and talk about things going forward, with the team with the players," Redknapp told Sky Sports TV.



"I have said many times they are good people, so I would love to see them get back in the Premier league and build a team that will stay there next time."



Reading is making an instant return to the second tier.



"I have told the players to bottle up the feeling as it is never nice to get relegated, and make sure they never feel that way again," Nigel Adkins, who was hired as Reading manager last month, told the BBC.



"We must now build for the future and learn the lessons well from this season. We have to regroup and put ourselves in a position to challenge to get back into the Premier League. For any new promoted team, it is a challenge to stay up. The Premier League is a ruthless division."



Wigan currently occupies the third spot in the relegation zone, and is two points from safety.

Reading wrap up Adkins deal

Reading have appointed Nigel Adkins as their new manager, the Englishman signing a contract until summer 2016.

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The 48-year-old was dismissed by Southampton in January after a three-year stint at St Mary's but takes over the Berkshire hotseat ahead of Saturday's crucial Premier League match at Arsenal.

Adkins said: "I've joined Reading Football Club, (and) I want to be in the Premier League. First of all, I haven't been able to do this, can I take this opportunity to thank the people of Southampton, the people, staff, players and the supporters because we were all on a fantastic journey but we've all got to move on.

"I'm really pleased and (feel) priveleged to be Reading manager and yes we have to have a belief and a desire to take one game at a time and make sure this football club remains in the Premier League. That's why I've come.

"It's a good football club first and foremost and I was impressed when I met the owner, when I met Nick (Hammond).

"There's a stability, a future, I'm looking forward and excited about the prospect of being here."

Adkins will be assisted at the Madejski Stadium by Andy Crosby, his No 2 at Saints, and Reading owner Anton Zingarevich said: "I am delighted to bring Nigel to our club because he is perfect for us.

"He has great respect within the game, his CV speaks for itself and he has many attributes as a manager, he is progressive, he develops players, his teams play attacking, passing football but most of all he knows how to win games at all levels.

"This is an appointment we have made both with the short and long term in mind and Nigel can take our club forward.

"I know our supporters have been keen to hear news over the past two weeks and I am certain they will join me in saying it was worth the wait. I wish Nigel and Andy nothing but good luck and now we focus on eight hugely important games in the Premier League.



"Our supporters will also play a vital part in the finale to the season and I am certain Nigel will get an excellent reception from our fans at the Emirates on Saturday."