The Swans head ion December with Brendan Rodgers aware that a busier fixture list will be a real test for his squad
November yielded just three games for the Swans – an away trip to Liverpool was followed by home games against Manchester United and Aston Villa. Contrast that with December where the Swans will be in action on six occasions – trips to Blackburn, Newcastle and Everton whilst welcoming Fulham, QPR and Spurs to the Liberty.
Add a Januaruy 2nd trip to Aston Villa and it is 7 games in 31 days for the Swans – a test for most Premier League squads and one that could shape the look of the second half of the season.
Brendan said “It’s going to be a real test of our squad
“There are a lot of games this month and you have to be able to recover well.
“The squad is very minimal and towards the end of the month we have two games in three days, which is incredible.
“Along the way we will have some bumps and bruises so it is important I keep the motivation of the players on the outside.
“I’ve always said I am going to need the entire squad and now we are starting to see that.
“If the players on the outside are not right you will be able to see it. Thankfully I’ve got a squad of players who are hungry and desperate to take their chance.
“I don’t want to say we would be happy to be in the position we are in because we always want to move forward.
“As long as we keep moving along like we are and if we pick up a negative result we must back it up with a positive one.
“We’ve done well but we don’t want to settle for where we are.
“It is to be admired how he has kept going,” Rodgers added when asked about the pressure on his opposite number Steve Kean.
“It’s disappointing from a manager’s perspective to see your team and management getting that sort of abuse.
“We understand that happens but the most important thing is it doesn’t help your cause in the Premier League. When you pull together and have that one club and one city mentality you have a great chance, if not it makes it very difficult.
“I want to see him do well, except against us.
“But we know Blackburn are a dangerous team, a team that are established in the Premier League and have players like (Ayegbeni) Yakubu and (Junior) Hoilett who has come on this year.
“They marginally missed out on some good results. They were 3-1 up at Norwich, they ran Chelsea close at home and beat Arsenal at home, so we understand it will be difficult.”