Planet Swans ArchivesRodgers rotated his squad to try and keep everyone fresh over the Christmas period with Beattie himself missing out in games to both Jermaine Easter and Stephen Dobbie as the Swans looked to maintain their promotion push.
And the striker says that because of the manager’s style the players accept the rotation policy being used.
He told the Western Mail “I think it’s testament to the lads’ characters and the way the manager made people feel that we all see the bigger picture,” says the 26-year-old, who could get a starting chance this afternoon having seen Stephen Dobbie and Jermaine Easter given opportunities ahead of him in recent games.
“What we tend to do as a team because of the way the manager works with us is that we don’t get carried away when we win and we don’t get too down when we lose because there’s the next game and the big aim.
“And it’s the same with games as it is with us as players, whether you’re in the side one week and out the next. The manager’s been very good since he’s come in and it’s clear that there is no player bigger than the squad.
“It’s probably the most honest squad I’ve ever seen, everyone pushes each other so hard and it’s a great working environment. It’s only natural you’re disappointed if you’re not in the side, but we’ve all been in and out, myself included.”
Beattie was talking on the eve of the Swans FA Cup tie against Colchester and he thinks that league and cup form can go hand in hand and that fans shouldn’t believe it being a case of one or the other.
He added “I think West Brom showed it can be done a few years ago, they reached the semi-finals and won the title in the same season. I wasn’t involved in the semis as I was out on loan, but I was in the side during the early rounds and played my part in getting that promotion. So I think you can have best of both worlds and West Brom showed with that run that winning breeds wins, that you can take your form over two competitions. There is a fine line between playing too many games and burning out before your time, but with the way the manager properly rotates the squad everybody has that freshness you need and everyone stays on their toes.
“There is that other side to the coin,” Beattie added when questioned on whether defeat could have an adverse affect on league form. “But then it’s our job to make sure that doesn’t happen and with everyone looking to make a mark in games you’d hope we have that in us.
“But it’s detrimental to what we’re trying to do if we let either wins or losses get to us. If we’re not successful and we don’t get through, there won’t be any dramas we’ll just be back at it in time for the Palace game.
“But we do want to get through and see what we can do in this competition.”
