Be Brave Is Call From Rodgers

The Swansea City manager told the Western Mail “Bravery is not always about putting your head in where it hurts,” said Rodgers.

“Sometimes it is about having the courage to get on the ball and these players do that in abundance.

“Players have already shown courage and bravery which will help us, now we have to make sure we have that real steel to finish off jobs, which we didn’t do the other night.

“There is no question of us going against our identity now.

“We will stick to our guns, look to impose our game on opponents.

“This season the one thing we have been able to do is win football matches and we have to keep that going.

“You have to try and enjoy it,” Rodgers added.

“You don’t sometimes when you are right in middle of it. It is agonising and any manager will tell you the same.

“It can be difficult and you are thinking about things all the time.

“But you must try and embrace it and go and make it work for you. It’s OK to have fear, but only if you use it in a positive way.

“It is much better being at the top having this fight than at bottom where it’s a totally different pressure.

“As players and staff we are looking forward to it. We know there will be all sorts of ups and downs. We go out and play very positively and to enjoy the game. More times than not, it has seen us win.

“The fact we’re still second shows the standard we’ve had here, the number of games we’ve won gives us that cushion when we’ve had lapses.

“Performance levels have been very good, obviously we are disappointed in terms of results because we are always striving and demanding more.

“There’s no doubt a bit of fatigue set in towards the end of the Watford game,” said Rodgers.

“The players put so much into games and because of how we press and work, tiredness is going to be a problem.

“That’s why I have to manage it so we can be as fresh as we can.

“It doesn’t change the way we play because players know how to fit into the structure and abilities remain the same.

“I’ve got the squad to allow players to rest, something we need at this stage of the season with 10 games to go.”