Rodgers: Ipswich Will Be Motivated After Defeat

Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers is aware that Ipswich Town will be motivated for Monday's game after losing 5-1 to Norwich City on Thursday.

Rodgers says the 0-0 draw away at Portsmouth yesterday - where his team showed their 'defensive spirit' sets his team up nicely for tomorrow's game at home where the players can be 'more creative'.

We showed our spirit defensively at Fratton Park,'

'It was a massive result for us mentally.

'It sets us up for Ipswich on Monday where I know we are a wee bit more creative at home.''

Although Ipswich saw their outside hopes of a play-off place wiped out with a 5-1 defeat by local rivals Norwich at Portman Road last week, Brendan has warned his fifth-placed squad that Paul Jewell's side will be determined to erase the memory of that East Anglian derby.

'They will be motivated having lost 5-1 at home to their local rivals,'' added Brendan. 'Their motivation will be high to get back to winning ways.''

Rodgers was also not happy that Ipswich can benefit from an extra 2 days to prepare having not played since Thursday:

'It's obviously not ideal that we are playing on Saturday and then Monday while other teams are playing on different days,'' he explained.

'Ipswich played on Thursday, which means they will have had three clear days to prepare for their game with us, whereas we will only get one.

'Having time to recover properly at any point in the season is absolutely vital, but at this stage, when legs can be a little bit weary, that time is even more important.

'There are other teams in the same boat as us, but it's not the same for everyone. And at this critical point in the season, all you want is to be competing on a level playing field.

'Ipswich have an advantage over us, there's no question about that.''

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.