Rodgers told the Royals' official website: "Our supporters are absolutely vital. They are down as number 13 on the teamsheet and they certainly are just that. The atmosphere they can create and the intensity of their emotion, it helps the players, no question.
"It's my job, with the players, to ensure that energy returns and the way to do that is with entertaining and exciting football and of course winning football.
"The fans are a major factor and I say to them 'I can't do it on my own, I can't do it without you.'
"The message I give to them is that I'm now one of you. I'm the biggest supporter of Reading and will give my life to the football club."