Nigel Adkins insists Saints will maintain their consistent approach despite a 3-1 defeat to Reading.

The Saints boss was trying to remain positive after the loss that put the Royals three points clear at the top of the table.

But he was clearly frustrated as the pressure increased just a little on his side, who will be waiting to hear West Ham’s result at Brighton tomorrow to see if it will get a little nervier ahead of a game at Peterborough on Tuesday night.

Adkins said: “We will keep our principals right on how we want to play but ultimately it’s about sticking them in at one end and keeping them out at the other.

“We will be in training in the morning which is planned, we will analyse this, we’ll do a recovery session, put this game to bed and get ourselves ready for Tuesday.

“What we will do is remain positive and get ourselves ready for the next game.”