Rodgers' mid-term assessment
Brendan Rodgers spared 10 minutes after his televised pre-QPR press conference to chat to radio journalists. Here is what he told them...
On his message to the fans at the half way stage of the season...
Just to stay with us, and to keep the courage they've shown all season. They are one of the reasons I came here, and why players come here. Their support throughout this period has been incredible, and it can't be easy for them, because of what this club has won over many years. This is a different era, a different operation in terms of where the club is at. Because we don't have the big finances to go and splash out like a lot of other clubs, it's going to be a process that takes us back there, rather than something instant. But the way they support their team, like the other night away at Stoke when they were absolutely brilliant. They are doing absolutely everything possible to push this team and this club on. They can't do any more. It's up to the players and us as a football club on the pitch to give them something to keep smiling about.
On having the same record as Roy Hodgson at this stage...
I don't think about [these kinds of] comparisons, it's not something I overly worry about. I've been brought in here to do a job, the owners have been brilliant with me, the backing I've had from the supporters has been incredible. They are the most important group, really, and they recognise what's going on. It's difficult to compare because there is a lot of youthfulness in this group and yet still a lot of growth left in the group.
On progress...
There is progress to be made - we're tenth in the table, and this is a club that wants to be at the very top. Building the squad is going to take a wee bit of time but I always say it's like a good meal. I'm not a great cook but I know a good meal takes a wee bit of time, and also to offer a good meal you need good ingredients. That's something we'll do over time and then hopefully we can put a nice meal on the table.
On why we lost at the Britannia...
At key moments of the game our mentality wasn't there. If you're a manager going to Stoke there are three things you emphasise: the direct ball through the middle, corners, and throws-ins. And those were how we conceded three basic goals. Apart from that, they didn't have too many shots to worry us. You go away and go 1-0 up in the first minute of the game, it's a perfect start to then go and control the game, and these are the games we need to have the courage to put our feet on the ball and play. But you also need to be aggressive physically, and unfortunately we didn't do that. That's something that surprised me and something we'll ensure doesn't happen again.
On youth...
If you've got a lot of experienced players, they have that courage to do these things. We've got a lot of young players in the group, and anyone will tell you that what you get with young players is inconsistency. But the only way they get that experience is by throwing them in there. Like young Suso, who'll gain from playing 45 minutes at Stoke and will be a better player for it. So will the other younger players. I can't be critical of the young players - it's something that happens at every football club and as a manager I expect it. It's also about character, the types of character you have in your group. That's something that, over the course of my time here, we want to improve on. If you've got the right type of characters, you get the right type of efficiency on a more consistent basis.
On the reaction of his players to the Stoke defeat...
They are equally as frustrated as me because they know how hard we're working to climb the league, and then when it looks like we're on a little run, we take a backwards step. But they are the people who can put it right, and we've got a couple of good games coming up at QPR and Sunderland. We get two victories in those games and all of a sudden you've got three victories out of your four over the Christmas period, and it's all looking quite nice again.
On QPR...
QPR are fighting for survival. Harry has gone in there at a difficult moment but there is no better man to lift them out of the troubles they're in. For us, we want to react and we need to react after a disappointing result, and this game gives us that opportunity. I'm really looking forward to it. It's on the telly and another chance for the players to showcase their qualities.