Rodgers on Kettering and more
Posted on: Tue 21 Jul 2009
Brendan Rodgers spoke to the press after Saturday's 2-1 friendly defeat at Kettering.
The result was a bit disappointing but that's not what pre-season is about, is it?
No. I said to the players before the game that winning is not important, but I want to see a desire to win. That was good from us, first half we were very good, second half we made changes, the possession was good - but what will get better is our penetration. That normally comes after more than two weeks of training, that wee final product in the last third. We had lots of good play, but it's good for the players to learn. We made two mistakes and you will get punished - we conceded against Didcot and then twice today, but there's no drama.
Simon Church got the full game and he looked good, he got himself a goal as well.
Yes, very good movement. The goal was terrific, good combinations, quick play and we got in down the side. We showed a few moments like that but because it's so early on in pre-season players don't quite have that yard to get away, but it will come. Because we had two games at the same time some of the players had to play 90 minutes, which isn't ideal but something we have got through.
You sent Chris Armstrong to Tooting, what was the thinking, was it still with the injury?
No, no, Andre Bikey was there too, David Mooney...
Bikey is suspended though...
Absolutely nothing to do with that at all.
Ryan Bertrand made his debut for you.
Yes, very good, obviously 45 minutes and he was good.
Your tactics, you went 4-3-3 again.
First half yes. It's the time to have a look. Our objective is to be ready for the first game and beyond. We swapped it around, we played the diamond in the second half so it's a good chance to get on the ball, pass and move, and get lots of touches, look to penetrate. The players did that at times but didn't have the finishing touch. And then what can happen is that late on, a big throw, good finish from a mistake... but I'm not crying.
The penalty looked a bit harsh.
A wee bit harsh, it was a testimonial penalty! Ben's not touched him, but the sun was shining so the ref felt in a good mood.
Alex Pearce was captain again.
He was due to play 90 minutes so I wanted someone to be there for the full game. He was a little bit tired late on so we took him off. I'm not near [with the captaincy] so I will have a good look and announce at the right time.
How many are you taking to Sweden?
I'm taking 25. 22 outfield and three goalkeepers. We've got three games so I need enough to change.
Any injuries today?
Only James Henry. He came on at half time, he felt a problem before the game and wanted to try it but it wasn't right. He will be fine I am sure. Jimmy Kebe had a couple of knocks in the first half, Jay Tabb was a human pinball machine, there was a few tackles, but that's what we're looking for. The idea with a game like this is fitness and that will have come on.
The result was a bit disappointing but that's not what pre-season is about, is it?
No. I said to the players before the game that winning is not important, but I want to see a desire to win. That was good from us, first half we were very good, second half we made changes, the possession was good - but what will get better is our penetration. That normally comes after more than two weeks of training, that wee final product in the last third. We had lots of good play, but it's good for the players to learn. We made two mistakes and you will get punished - we conceded against Didcot and then twice today, but there's no drama.
Simon Church got the full game and he looked good, he got himself a goal as well.
Yes, very good movement. The goal was terrific, good combinations, quick play and we got in down the side. We showed a few moments like that but because it's so early on in pre-season players don't quite have that yard to get away, but it will come. Because we had two games at the same time some of the players had to play 90 minutes, which isn't ideal but something we have got through.
You sent Chris Armstrong to Tooting, what was the thinking, was it still with the injury?
No, no, Andre Bikey was there too, David Mooney...
Bikey is suspended though...
Absolutely nothing to do with that at all.
Ryan Bertrand made his debut for you.
Yes, very good, obviously 45 minutes and he was good.
Your tactics, you went 4-3-3 again.
First half yes. It's the time to have a look. Our objective is to be ready for the first game and beyond. We swapped it around, we played the diamond in the second half so it's a good chance to get on the ball, pass and move, and get lots of touches, look to penetrate. The players did that at times but didn't have the finishing touch. And then what can happen is that late on, a big throw, good finish from a mistake... but I'm not crying.
The penalty looked a bit harsh.
A wee bit harsh, it was a testimonial penalty! Ben's not touched him, but the sun was shining so the ref felt in a good mood.
Alex Pearce was captain again.
He was due to play 90 minutes so I wanted someone to be there for the full game. He was a little bit tired late on so we took him off. I'm not near [with the captaincy] so I will have a good look and announce at the right time.
How many are you taking to Sweden?
I'm taking 25. 22 outfield and three goalkeepers. We've got three games so I need enough to change.
Any injuries today?
Only James Henry. He came on at half time, he felt a problem before the game and wanted to try it but it wasn't right. He will be fine I am sure. Jimmy Kebe had a couple of knocks in the first half, Jay Tabb was a human pinball machine, there was a few tackles, but that's what we're looking for. The idea with a game like this is fitness and that will have come on.
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