Rodgers: 'We Needed To Freshen Things Up'

Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers said he needed to 'freshen things up' on Saturday as he dropped Garry Monk and Nathan Dyer.

It was quite a surprise to see the skipper Garry Monk, and arguably our most consistent performer - Nathan Dyer dropped, as they were replaced by Wayne Routledge and Steven Caulker - back following a knee injury. Also given a start was Luke Moore, replacing the suspended Joe Allen as he slotted in to play just behind Leroy Lita.

Rodgers said:

"I know their contribution is there now. That was important,"

"We hadn`t won for a few games, even though we had good performances and I need players to know there is trust there from me as a manager. I have said I can`t go through the season with 11 players.

"Wayne Routledge has been pushing for a start over the last few months but Nathan Dyer has been outstanding, but I felt we needed to freshen it up.

"Players like Luke Moore and Caulker, who was brilliant in the first four games of the season, need to feel like they can come in and contribute. When they are in the team they have to perform.

"It was an important win for the squad, a group win. The players are very much together and I said this will be a month where I need to put trust in the squad and whatever team I put out will feel capable of winning a game."

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