The Swansea City manager made 6 changes from the side that faced QPR on Boxing Day to the side that lined up two days later against Barnsley but he is not worried by those decisions insisting they are part and parcel of football in this day and age.

“A lot of people may have seen it as being brave or taking a risk, but for me it was a case of managing the games,” he told the Western Mail

“I saw on the television one of the pundits absolutely amazed that Arsene Wenger made eight changes.

“But you are thinking not just about the game, but the physical adaptation for the players.

“There are some players who just can’t play two games in four days.

“We are trying to get the best performance levels and it’s something you have to consider.

“Against Barnsley, we felt it was the right thing to do and we got a great response and that allowed us to look at this next game with confidence.

“There is no-one running away with it,” declared Rodgers on the division’s shape-up at the turn of the year.

“QPR have got a real squad, £1m players sitting on the bench, so they are strong.

“Cardiff have spent money and there are other clubs that will come into that bracket – but there is no-one like a Newcastle or West Brom who will run away with it.

“When you look at the clubs who could come down next year then there could be big clubs with big budgets. So this might be the year to do it.”