Royals are languishing a mere three points above the Championship relegation zone following a 2-1 defeat at Cardiff City on Friday night.

Adkins’ men self destructed in South Wales after Alex Pearce was red carded on a night he will want to forget.

The 26-year-old Republic of Ireland centre-back scored an own goal in the 20th minute, before hauling down ex-Royals striker Adam Le Fondre in the area to concede a penalty and get himself sent off in added time of the first-half.

Peter Whittingham converted the spot-kick and it was enough to condemn Nigel Adkins’ side to their fourth successive away loss, despite a late Michael Hector effort giving them hope.

It means Reading have lost eight of their last 12 games in all competitions and are being sucked into a battle for survival.

Adkins is now under increasing pressure to turn their fortunes around, with rumours suggesting the club’s new Thai owners will not tolerate many more set backs.

However, Reading’s on-field skipper Gunter believes sacking Adkins would be a huge mistake.

“What this club doesn’t need is to make a decision like that,” declared former Bluebirds defender Gunter after a disappointing return to Cardiff. “It would be one of the worst things we could do.

“The first thing I would say if there is any talk about the manager is play that tape of the second half.

“There were 10 players on the pitch that were doing everything they could for him, for the fans that travelled and the badge on the shirt.

“The manager has stuck with this club in some dark times over the past 12 months, There are things people don’t know.”

Royals fans took to social media to voice their frustrations over the club’s struggles under Adkins.

But Gunter, 25, believes that is nothing more than a knee-jerk reaction to a poor run of results.

“I was speaking to (Wales teammate) Aaron Ramsey last week and he was saying how less than 15 months ago he was receiving death threats and messages from Arsenal fans saying, ‘I hope you break your other leg’,” he explained.

“Six months later he is the best player at the club and he’s worth £40m, so things like social media you have to take with a pinch of salt.”

Nevertheless, Reading have won only two of their last 12 league outings, and they were against relegation certainties Blackpool and struggling Rotherham United at home.

Royals have also won just one away game in the Championship this season and now face a stern test this Saturday when they travel to Norwich City (3pm ko).

When asked whether he feared the axe would fall on him if Reading lose at Carrow Road this weekend, Adkins, 49, replied: “No.”

He stressed: “We know the situation we are in, I will stick my head out there and will keep driving on with everything.

“I know from my own experience even if you are doing well, sometimes in football there is a change. I can’t control that, all I can control is how hard keep working.

“The spirit is there, the desire is there and we need to win games of football. It is my responsibility because I am the manager.

“This is the culture of English football and people always look to change the manager.

“I can’t affect that or change that because I want us to be the best we can be and I will keep striving on to do that.”