Former Reading defender Ady Williams has revealed that the players had expected to drop back into the Championship from the top flight.
The Royals' Premier League relegation was confirmed yesterday following a goalless draw with Queens Park Rangers, who also dropped into the second tier.
"The Reading players have been expecting it for a while, we've been struggling all season," Williams told BBC Radio Five Live.
"Nigel Adkins will definitely be at the Madejski stadium next season, he has a three year contract. But it's never easy to bounce back from the Championship.
"If you look at the sides that came down from the Premier League last year, Wolves and Blackburn are struggling."
Reading have a current points total of 25 with three games left to play.
