Published: Thursday, 1st October, 2009 3:00pm

Rodgers vows to trim squad

by Anthony Smith

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BRENDAN Rodgers is planning to slash the size of his squad and has explained the reasons behind his constant tinkering.

A staggering 29 players have featured for Reading in all competition over the first eight weeks of the season.

And Rodgers has used an incredible 24 players in 10 Championship games alone and he has not picked the same side twice.

In fact, goalkeeper Adam Federici and on-loan Chelsea left-back Ryan Bertrand are the only players to have started every league game so far.

But Royals boss insists there are valid reasons behind his decisions as he strives to find a winning formula. And he says he is fed up with people questioning his team selections all of the time having made another two changes for Tuesday night's victory at Preston.

Rodgers barked: "Look at Preston. Only three of their players have played every game. I'm sure Alan Irvine isn't being asked those questions.

"I came into a job where we have lost millions and millions of pounds worth of players, and big players at that. I'm still finding out what I've got and I can only do that by playing people.

"I'm brave enough to play young players and I will play senior players. It's a case of finding a formula. Sometimes you take a wee bit of stick for that but we're growing and growing.

"I know what I want but I have to give those players the opportunity to show me what they've got. I've seen that and I always felt that once we found and consistency we would be a better team.

"But we will be narrowing down the squad because we have a lot of players. That will help us develop."

Royals already have a number of players out on loan. Big earners James Harper and Liam Rosenior have gone to Sheffield United and Ipswich Town for the remainder of the season and are unlikely to return to Berkshire.

Young squad players James Henry (Millwall), Nicholas Bignall (Stockport), Oliver Bozanic (Cheltenham), Mikkel Andersen (Bristol Rovers) and Alex McCarthy (Yeovil) have also been farmed out to gain regular first-team experience.

Now the likes of Dave Mooney, Julian Kelly, Scott Davies, Michail Antonio and even £300,000 Coventry City signing Jay Tabb could be allowed to leave on short-term loans.

"Over the next couple of weeks I need to trim the squad," added Rodgers. "I've had a good look at everyone and we've got more numbers than I would like to work with. I've always said I want to work with 20 players plus 3 goalkeepers.

"I inherited big numbers when I came here, and I wanted to be fair to give everyone a chance. I have an idea of the squad now."

Meanwhile, Royals produced their best display of the season to clinch a 2-1 victory at Deepdale on Tuesday and Rodgers is desperate to build on their momentum.

"We've been unable to kill games off," he stressed. "But we have a young group of players who are learning all of the time.

"One thing I demand is that you have to play with the ball, and we were very good with the ball. At times we haven't defended well enough but at Preston you got the whole package.

"We went away to a very strong team and we put in a performance like that. But it doesn't surprise me.

"We haven't been on a really poor run we just felt we needed a wee bit of luck."

Rodgers has already come in for criticism from a section of impatient Royals fans but he is not the kind to buckle under the stress of management.

"Pressure is what you put into your wheels on your car," he declared. "This is a job I love doing, it's all part of the dance. I love going to historic grounds like Preston and seeing my team play with confidence.

"I don't feel the pressure because I love my job. I will always do my best and fight for the club.

"I know the consequence of how I work will bring success and we are seeing the fruits of that game by game."

Reading host Middlesbrough this Saturday as they search for their first home win in the league since January (3pm ko).

Boro, beaten 1-0 at home by Leicester City on Tuesday night, could hand ex-Royal Leroy Lita a start up front.

NICHOLAS Bignall scored for Stockport in a 2-2 draw with Hartlepool on Tuesday night.

For more stories and your full round up of what's happening in Reading you can purchase the e-edition of the Reading Chronicle click here.