The Swansea City midfielder impressed Rodgers with his second half show at Bramall Lane on Saturday and that was one of the positives that the manager took out of what was an otherwise disappointing defeat.
“I thought that was the same Darren Pratley we’ve seen in the last few years.” Rodgers told the Western Mail
“He’s had to be patient, but he’s a good pro and has been working hard to get back in the side. That was the reaction I was looking for.
“Every player knows that if they get in the side they’ve got to take it and keep it because there are others waiting to come in.
“I thought he was outstanding throughout the second half.
“He passed it simple and got on the move. He’s hard to live with like that.
“We are one game away from the halfway point of the season and overall our performance levels up until now have been fantastic.
“We will stick to our unique style of play and find the solutions we need to get back on track.
“Although we did lack our usual intensity – we were a bit slower with the ball than we normally are – we controlled the first half without creating many chances.
“But then a lapse of concentration gave them something to hang on to.
“The only chance they had in the game, they scored.
“You’ve got to put this result into perspective. The league is very tight and competitive.
“It doesn’t matter where a team is in the league, if you lose your concentration they will punish you.”