Brendan Rodgers: Sir Alex Ferguson has inspired me to do better at Reading

Reading manager Brendan Rodgers has been inspired by Alex Ferguson as he struggles to lift his Reading side out of the Championship's bottom three.

Rodgers celebrates one year as a manager on Monday and spent the international break meeting and talking to other managers in an attempt to pick up new ideas.

He says the highlight was listening to Ferguson speak at a League Managers Association dinner in London.

"He was very open and honest and spoke about the slow starts he had in his managerial career at places like Stirling, St Mirren, Aberdeen and Manchester United where he had a notoriously slow start," said Rodgers.

"I haven't had the greatest of starts myself either at Watford or here at Reading where the expectations are greater, so it was inspiring to hear that he had the same experiences.

"I have done my best to use the break wisely. I always think the more you learn the more you earn."

Reading entertain Blackpool today and Rodgers says he is looking forward to another home game despite the Royals' failure to win a league encounter at the Madejski Stadium since January.

"The run has got to end and then we hope to go on a winning home run," he said.

"We spent last week reflecting on our first 16 games and decided that we are very close to where we want to be.  I think we need to play with a little bit more speed and intensity at home but we are very confident we will climb the table. We do need a new striker and I have been looking at a couple but nothing has come of that."

Rodgers had praise for young Welsh international striker Simon Church who scored in his country's 3-0 win over Scotland. "

"He's only 20 and has the best movement of any young player I have seen. Once the goals start they will flow and I have no doubt he will be a Welsh international for many years to come."