Planet Swans ArchivesIt is clear that the uncalled for boos at the end of Friday’s game have infuriated Rodgers who saw his side go level on points with second placed Cardiff after the draw.
And Rodgers says that the fans need to be patient and behind the team believing that they understand the brand of football played at Swansea.
“I could go to eight or nine clubs out of ten and they couldn’t play the way we play here because the fans don’t understand football,” the Swansea manager told the Evening Post
“Thankfully, at this club, the supporters do under- stand.
“I liken the supporters here to Liverpool’s. For me the Liverpool fans have always grown up knowing their football.
“You find that’s the way it is with the big teams — their supporters understand the game — and I position Swansea with them.
“Our supporters are up there with the elite in this country, but we have to make sure we show it.
“We have to make sure our supporters are a massive plus for the team and not a little bit of a negative.
“We are only in December, not April,” he stressed.
“I think some people are fast-tracking themselves forward, but we still have a long way to go and it’s very important that our supporters give their all to the team.
“They have been magnificent since I came down here. I have been out on Wind Street a couple of times and met lots of fans who are really enjoying the season, which is great.
“But we must ensure that we keep the patience we need.
“We have an honest, hard- working team who are giving their all, and for the first time last Friday I felt a little bit of impatience from the crowd.
“We play a unique style of football, a great brand, but to do that we need everyone to buy into it, especially at home.
“You can see we can score goals. We have scored twos and threes away from home, but at home it’s very difficult because teams set up a certain way.
“To get over that, patience from the players and the fans is vital.
“In general the fans have been fantastic, but we need them to stay that way,” Rodgers went on.
“We can’t go down the route of other clubs where it’s about winning at all costs.
“We are trying to protect the identity of this club, which means winning but also playing good football.
“We can eventually get to where we want to go by doing things that way
“I looked at the commitment, the passion and the desire from the players and it was first class,” he added when referring to watching back the Millwall game.
“Millwall was always going to be a difficult game against a former manager.
“The result was not wanted, but it’s important that rather than booing the players off the pitch we stick by them, because they are giving their all for this club.”
