DAVID Hodgson has revealed that the new Quakers manager has become 'Hodgy mark two'.

In his previous incarnation in the Darlington hot-seat, Hodgson admitted his aim was to impress the fans with stylish football and goals aplenty, building a squad which came tantalisingly close to promotion in 2000.

The new version, however, is aiming to build from the back as he seeks to pull Quakers away from the bottom of Division Three.

"In the early days, when I was always focused on trying to play good football and score goals, I lacked the experience to get to know both sides of the game," said Hodgson.

"That is what we're working on now.

"If we can work on our defensive side at Swansea, keep it tight and come away with a clean sheet, we've got a point at least.

"I have confidence in the defenders but that will only continue if they manage to perform again and again."

With Quakers just one point above second-bottom Southend, Hodgson will take three points no matter how they come.

However, in a Swansea side which is riding high in Division Three under former Wrexham boss Brian Flynn, Hodgson is well aware of the task ahead.

"We all know it's going to be a hard game," said Hodgson.

"They play with a basic 4-4-2 formation but they have one or two useful players

"They are where they are because they've been winning more games than other teams.

Three weeks into his third spell with the club, Hodgson now has a better idea of where his side's strengths and weaknesses lie.

The Quakers boss has set his sights on bringing in a new striker but has failed in his attempts to land Middlesbrough youngster Daniel Graham and former Quakers forward Jamie Coppinger, from Exeter.

However, Hodgson, with the club's financial restraints in mind, is hoping his current players will prove they are worth their place in the team.

"I'm three weeks in and I've told them this week that I'm always looking to make a better team," said Hodgson. "That's my job.

"If they're going to perform at Swansea, put the work in and put in a performance which justifies that I don't have to go around chasing after players then I'm happy with that.

"If these boys perform well then it will save us from spending money.

"For us it's a guideline to go down and judge ourselves against them to see if we can put in a similar performance, if not better than the Lincoln City game.

"If we show the same kind of workrate the players will sit on that bus coming home believing they have enough within the club to go and get themselves points.

"If they don't put in a good run of games, all of a sudden we're away from that and just trying to get a little bit higher in the table.

"These lads must realise that and pull us away from the bottom."

That must happen sooner, rather than later, if Quakers are to escape from a relegation battle.

"In a perfect world you would like to come out of February in a healthy position," admitted Hodgson.

"If you've done that it bodes well for the following season because it help us to plan ahead, knowing what we need and what we don't need.

"As long as we're not down there at the end of the season, that's the most important thing. That is our aim at the moment.

"I'm still learning about the players so I have no idea what's going to happen on Saturday.

"I have learnt a lot about most of them and I know what they're all capable of."

Danny Mellanby is out with a back injury today and and David McGurk is suspended, adding to Hodgson's frustration at failing to lure Coppinger back to Darlington as his bid was rejected by Exeter.

Coppinger started this career at Feethams before moving to Newcastle and then Exeter, where this season he has been instrumental in helping the Grecians to the edge of the Nationwide Conference play-offs.

Exeter boss Eamon Dolan said: "We love Copps here - there's no way we would let him go right now. We feel he can go a bit higher than Division Three and that's what we aim to do with him.''

l Reading manager Steve Coppell has prepared his side for today's daunting trip to First Division leaders West Brom by revealing he tipped Albion for the Division One title before the season kicked off.

The Royals boss, who has recorded five wins and two defeats in his opening seven league games, said: "'Albion have used the financial advantage of having been in the Premiership very well.''