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The journalist labelled an "ostrich" by Nigel Pearson has received an apology from the Leicester City manager.
Pearson launched into an extraordinary rant after Wednesday's 3-1 Premier League loss to Chelsea, comparing reporter Ian Baker to the bird that is widely - and incorrectly - thought to bury its head in the sand.
The City boss - who also labelled Baker "stupid" and "daft" after taking exception to one of his questions - was in front of the media again on Thursday ahead of the match against Newcastle United this weekend and said sorry for his outburst.
He said: "Apologies for last night. I think it is right to do it in front of the cameras and hope it does not ruin our relationship."
Baker tweeted to confirm that he had accepted the apology.
The loss to Chelsea ended a four-match winning run, but Leicester remain outside the Premier League relegation zone.
Pearson was further quizzed on Wednesday's incident by another journalist at the news conference, with Pearson opting to keep his cards relatively close to his chest.
When it was put to the Leicester boss that his side had received relatively little criticism, Pearson responded: "That's your opinion. I don't feel that I want to get into that sort of an argument.
"I didn't say you were after me. I said there's been criticism and I'll always stick up for my players.
"I think you're looking at your side of the argument through rose-coloured spectacles. I'm not going to get into a discussion with you today.
"I've apologised and if it has been a more private thing I'd have apologised one to one. But when it's in the public eye I think it's right to do it in the way I've done it.
"I don't see why I have to sit here and take your one-sided view of this argument. I don't see your point, are you suggesting that my job is to pander to your requirements?
"You've obviously been sent here to put your industry's case forward. Thank you for coming."
Mark Hughes is confident Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam can feature against Swansea City on Saturday despite suffering a broken nose.
The Scotland international suffered the blow on Thursday but is set to wear a protective mask in order to feature in the Premier League clash involving two sides separated by three points in the top half of the table.
Hughes, who also has concerns over Geoff Cameron's fitness, says Adam could yet be utilised at the Liberty Stadium.
"We got an injury today to Charlie Adam, unfortunately, who got a bang on the nose," the Welshman explained.
"It looks like he's broken his nose. I think he's done it in the past and that's probably where the weakness is.
"As long as that doesn't swell up to any consequence and affect his breathing then we should be okay.
"He's got a mask from the last time he did it so we're all prepared. Hopefully it won't compromise him for the game this weekend."
On defender Cameron, Hughes was less positive, with the American struggling to shake off a hamstring problem.
"Geoff has got a tightness in his hamstring, he hasn't trained all week," he added.
"He'll train tomorrow, that's the hope anyway, he's quite positive but we'll see how he goes with the training.
Leicester City v Newcastle United: Pearson not burying his head in survival battle
30 April 2015
Leicester City's four-game winning run came to a halt with Wednesday's loss to Chelsea, but Nigel Pearson's men have their Premier League destiny in their own hands ahead of Newcastle United's visit.
Pearson made the headlines for a bizarre post-match rant following the 3-1 defeat to the champions elect, comparing a journalist to an ostrich and labelling him "daft" and "stupid" - comments for which he later apologised.
He will hope the focus now returns to the field this weekend as Leicester host an out-of-form Newcastle, who are in danger of being dragged into the relegation battle themselves.
John Carver's beleaguered side have lost seven in a row, leaving them four points above Saturday's hosts.
"It's important for us to go into the last few games with our destiny in our own hands," Pearson said.
"There's still a lot of hard work to be done. At the moment there's a strange perception that there's not. There is. Because it's a quick turnaround and an early kick-off, we'll have to take into consideration the fitness of the players."
Carver has been impressed with Leicester's revival and views the clash as "the biggest game of the weekend".
"Four weeks ago Leicester were dead and buried, but Nigel has turned them around and they are in with a chance of staying up," the head coach said.
"Saturday is a tough game. Leicester are very well organised, very strong and are a big, physical team.
"It's the biggest game of the weekend, and huge for both sides. We need to stop this rot and get a result."
Carver has had to contend with sustained criticism from the St James' Park faithful, with fan boycotts underlining the level of dissatisfaction at the club's plight.
When Newcastle welcomed Leicester to Tyneside in October, a 1-0 triumph sparked a six-match winning streak in all competitions.
Since that spell ended with November's 1-0 loss to West Ham, Newcastle have won just four times.
Defeat at the King Power Stadium would certainly heighten fears of a return to the Championship.
Andy King came off with a knock against Chelsea, putting a downer on his 300th Leicester appearance, but the midfielder looks set to remain in the squad.
Pearson confirmed that David Nugent (calf) would miss out, while a decision is yet to be made on Robert Huth (knee).
Siem de Jong - who scored in the 3-2 loss to Swansea City last time out - is nearing full fitness for the visitors, but Carver confirmed he is still not ready to start, while Daryl Janmaat is available having fallen ill during Saturday's defeat.
Paul Dummett (knee) is back in training and Moussa Sissoko has completed his suspension, but Papiss Cisse remains banned.
Roberto Martinez has lauded the form of James McCarthy as Everton go in search of a sixth win in seven Premier League matches when they make the trip to relegation-threatened Aston Villa.
McCarthy, whose future at Goodison Park has been the subject of persistent speculation, spoke this week of being "let off the leash" after being afforded more freedom to get forward.
His manager has been impressed with the results, as McCarthy has netted in recent 3-0 home wins against Newcastle United and Manchester United.
"James McCarthy is insurance for me," Martinez said. "He gives you fantastic balance and in the last six or seven weeks we have allowed him to have a different role.
"He is getting a little bit higher up the pitch. He's been very effective. It's something quite new and he is enjoying it.
"James McCarthy is such a talented, young player that he could adapt to anything he would like to be. It's a great strength to have a player like him that can be so flexible."
Everton's impressive form has lifted them well clear of the relegation battle that they once looked in danger of being dragged into.
A top-half finish is now on the cards, with Everton sitting 10th, but they will have to continue to make do without Bryan Oviedo, who fractured his fifth metatarsal in training this week. Steven Pienaar (muscle fatigue) is also doubtful.
Villa, meanwhile, received a boost on the fitness front as Alan Hutton returned to training following an ankle injury, though Gabriel Agbonlahor (hamstring) remains sidelined.
Manager Tim Sherwood said the full-back will undergo a further assessment on Friday before a final decision is taken on the Scot's involvement.
Sherwood was left fuming at what he deemed a questionable offside call given against Villa in the 3-2 loss to Manchester City last time out.
The FA Cup finalists, who had battled back from 2-0 down to drawl level at the Etihad Stadium, saw top scorer Christian Benteke break clear, only to be flagged offside just before being brought down by City goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Their frustration was compounded when Fernandinho won it for the hosts at the death and Villa are just two points above the drop zone, leaving them needing a marked improvement on the display that saw them beaten 3-0 at Goodison Park in October.
That result made it eight games in a row in which Villa have failed to beat Everton, who have only failed to score in one of the last 15 meetings between the sides.
Sunderland v Southampton : Koeman not expecting any favours
30 April 2015
Ronald Koeman does not expect Sunderland's players to be as generous this weekend as they were in October when Southampton romped to an 8-0 win in the Premier League.
Own goals from Santiago Vergini, Liam Bridcutt and Patrick van Aanholt capped a miserable day at St Mary's Stadium for Sunderland under former head coach Gus Poyet, with Will Buckley and Vito Mannone also at fault.
That marked the lowest point of a disappointing campaign for third-bottom Sunderland that has left them entrenched in the relegation zone as Southampton prepare to head to the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Dick Advocaat replaced Poyet in March, but has won just once – against Newcastle United – in the four matches he has overseen.
In stark contrast, Southampton, who are seventh, are still pushing for a European place, despite a drop in form in recent weeks. And Koeman knows his team will have to work hard at Sunderland rather than rely on defensive mistakes.
"We had unbelievable help from the players of Sunderland," said Koeman reflecting on Southampton's biggest Premier League win. "It was so strange. We didn't play really well.
"We scored great goals, but the game of this Saturday will be totally different.
"They have two home games and they need two wins. That means a lot of pressure and we have to prepare for that.
"Dick Advocaat is a man with a lot of experience in difficult circumstances. He will give them the fighting spirit to stay in the Premier League."
With Sunderland set to face Arsenal and Chelsea away during the final week of the season, Advocaat's side do not need reminding of the importance of the upcoming games against Southampton, Everton and fellow strugglers Leicester City.
But Sunderland beat the drop against the odds 12 months ago thanks to wins at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford and defender Billy Jones told the Shields Gazette: "I would like to get six points going into the last two games.
"That would be our aim, to get those six points as soon as possible and see where that takes us and where we are at that point.
"If we win the next game, the whole mood changes again. We go into this game knowing that a win would massively help our cause."
Southampton have been hit by the news that midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin will miss the rest of the season with a knee ligament injury, while Dusan Tadic (groin) is also sidelined.
Advocaat has no new worries despite John O'Shea suffering facial injuries in the 1-1 draw at Stoke City last weekend, so the hosts are likely to be without Steven Fletcher, Ricky Alvarez, Wes Brown and Emanuele Giaccherini.
West Ham v Burnley: Dyche backs bottom side to rediscover cutting edge
30 April 2015
Sean Dyche expects more "twists and turns" in the battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League and is confident his Burnley side can end their goal drought ahead of Saturday's trip to West Ham.
A dismal run of just one win in 13 top flight games has seen Burnley drop to the foot of the table with only four matches remaining as they attempt to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
The Lancashire club's lack of goals has prevented them from getting out of trouble, as they have only found the back of the net once in their last eight matches.
Time is running out for Burnley to retain their Premier League status, but Dyche stressed that it all to play for as he prepares for a trip to the capital to face Sam Allardyce's men at Upton Park.
The Burnley manager said: "I'm sure there will be twists and turns yet, this is probably the biggest division for a win and three points changing the look of everything.
"Our job hasn't changed - we have to get that next win. It sounds easy, but on the run we're on, it would suggest it's difficult. Wins always had to come, but the games are running out now.
"We can't worry about other results, we just have to focus on our job."
Matt Taylor's missed penalty cost Burnley last weekend as fellow strugglers Leicester City won 1-0 at Turf Moor and it is now five game without a goal for the bottom side, but Dyche is confident that barren run will soon come to an end.
"I do believe we have it within us to score the goals." said the former Watford boss.
"Sometimes you need that relaxed focus. People can overthink it - when you are flowing and relaxed it becomes natural, but we are snatching at things.
"We have to retain that relaxed focus and play freely."
West Ham are without a win in their last four matches and have slipped down to 11th place, having been in the top four earlier in the season.
Allardyce knows a home encounter with beleaguered Burnley will not necessarily result in an end to their winless run and believes Dyche's men can still avoid the drop.
He said: "At this stage of the season you do begin to panic if you’re down at the bottom. We’ve seen teams pull it together, Leicester at the moment, Sunderland last season.
"Alan Curbishley did it here a few seasons ago. It can be done, we have to guard against Burnley doing that against us on Saturday. Our fans will expect us to play well and win."
Allardyce will go with the same squad of players which drew at QPR last weekend, so defender Reece Burke is set to make his home debut in the top flight.
Burnley welcome back Ashley Barnes from suspension and will check of the fitness of fellow striker Sam Vokes (thigh).
Liverpool v QPR: Ramsey looking to Hull for inspiration
30 April 2015
Chris Ramsey says QPR must learn from Hull City's exploits earlier this week ahead of their trip to Liverpool on Saturday.
Brendan Rodgers' side were beaten 1-0 at the KC Stadium on Tuesday to deflate their UEFA Champions League aspirations, and Ramsey hopes his side can boost their survival hopes with a similar display.
QPR have only suffered one defeat in their last four Premier League matches, collecting five points from a potential 12, moving them within four points of safety in the drop zone.
A journey to Liverpool is the first of two tricky assignments on the road for Ramsey's side – they head to Manchester City the weekend after – before they face fellow strugglers Newcastle United and Leicester City.
"Whoever you're playing is going to give you a fight and a battle," he said. "Any team can beat any team at any time, but we know that Liverpool have the quality and resilience to bounce back [from the Hull defeat].
"They've been written off a few times this season and Brendan's done a fantastic job to bring them back to the levels that warrant a team of Liverpool's stature.
"But we believe we can beat anyone on our day and we hope that our day will be at the weekend."
Some of Ramsey's belief will come from QPR's heroic efforts against Liverpool earlier in the season when, despite losing 3-2, they came close to snatching a draw.
Four goals in the closing minutes at Loftus Road saw QPR throw a point away as Steven Caulker's own goal handed Liverpool a dramatic win.
Much has changed since then, though, with QPR giving themselves a chance of survival and Liverpool falling away in the race for a top-four place.
Defeat at Hull was Liverpool's third in five outings, leaving them seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.
With Tottenham and Southampton still firmly in the race for a UEFA Europa League place, Liverpool cannot afford to drop any more points.
They face a striking crisis though with Daniel Sturridge already ruled out, and Mario Balotelli a doubt after sustaining a gashed foot against Hull.
There was some good news for Brendan Rodgers on Thursday, though, as Lucas Leiva and Alberto Moreno returned to first-team training.
Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand is back in contention for QPR after a spate of injuries in the last month, however the defender will undergo fitness checks before the trip north.
Striker Bobby Zamora is expected to feature despite nursing a hip injury, while Leroy Fer is fit after recovering from a knee problem.
Swansea City v Stoke City: Monk relishing ´vital´ encounter
30 April 2015
Garry Monk views Saturday's Premier League clash with Stoke City at the Liberty Stadium as almost certainly Swansea City's most important game of the season.
A 3-2 victory at Newcastle United last weekend ensured the Welsh club passed their club record tally of 47 points in the Premier League with four games remaining.
Swansea manager Monk has raised the bar in his first full season in charge, but the 36-year-old now has another target in his sights as his eighth-placed side prepare to face a Stoke team just three points behind them in the table.
He said of the visit of Mark Hughes' men: "It is a vital game and probably the most important one of our season. We've been in the top 10 all year and it is important that we consolidate that position.
"There is a real possibility for us to finish eighth and the highest we have ever finished in the Premier League.
"Stoke are a direct opponent, they are only three points behind us and it is a defining game. Mark has done a very good job there and it will be a tough game but one we're really looking forward to."
Stoke will not only draw level with Swansea if they secure an away victory, but also match their best Premier League tally of 50 points and so Hughes stressed this is by no means a meaningless mid-table encounter in his homeland.
"The focus at this time of the year, understandably, is on the top and bottom of the table, but we have our own thing going on in the middle of the table," said the Stoke boss.
"There are only four games of the season remaining now so it is important that we do everything we can to end the season in the way that we are hoping to.
"Swansea have achieved their record Premier League point-haul already and we are looking to do that too; it's something that we have used that as a motivation right the way through the season, and we will keep using that.
"They have progressed once more this season, and under Garry they are still playing some good stuff, but they are arguably more solid at the back and don't leave themselves as exposed as they have in other seasons."
Swansea winger Jefferson Montero will be in contention despite suffering a hamstring injury at Newcastle, while left-back Neil Taylor returns from suspension.
Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam suffered a broken nose in training on Thursday, but is expected to play wearing a mask.
Hughes revealed that Geoff Cameron will be monitored as he is struggling with a hamstring problem, while striker Peter Odemwingie could make another appearance from the bench after making his long-awaited return from a knee injury last weekend.
Adam and Jonathan Walters on target in Stoke's 2-1 win when the two sides met at the Britannia Stadium back in October.
Manchester United v West Brom: Rooney doubtful as Van Gaal seeks response
30 April 2015
Louis van Gaal's Manchester United welcome West Brom on Saturday seeking to avoid a third straight Premier League defeat, but may be without captain Wayne Rooney.
Frustrating losses to Chelsea and Everton have hampered United's attempts to ensure automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League, with Rooney sustaining a knee injury in the clash with his former club.
The England skipper was substituted during the second half of the 3-0 reversal at Goodison Park - compounding United's misery and leaving Rooney a doubt for the visit of West Brom.
United were afforded the lion's share of possession at both Stamford Bridge and Goodison but were hit clinically on the counter at both venues.
With Tony Pulis' men also likely to sit deep in their bid to claim points, United face an examination of their attacking prowess and the absence of their top-scorer would represent a blow.
Radamel Falcao would likely be the man tasked with replacing Rooney, as Robin van Persie and Adnan Januzaj continue to work their way back to full fitness.
Van Persie scored twice in an Under-21 match on Monday, while Januzaj contributed two assists.
"It was pre-planned that he [Van Persie] would just play 80 minutes so it was another step forward from last week," explained United under-21 boss Warren Joyce.
"It was good for him to score the goals, I thought he led the line well and it was good for the other lads to play with him."
Following back-to-back defeats against strugglers QPR and Leicester City, West Brom have since taken four points off Crystal Palace and Liverpool.
Saturday's visitors to Old Trafford have already bettered their 36-point haul from last season and all but ensured their Premier League status for next term thanks to a turnaround in fortunes under Pulis.
Of the bottom nine sides in the division, only Hull City have conceded fewer league goals than West Brom, who may benefit from an additional attacking threat should Callum McManaman return to the starting XI.
The winger has been troubled by a foot injury since joining from Wigan Athletic in January, but team-mate James Morrison is confident McManaman's substitute appearance against Liverpool is a promising sign.
"Callum is an exciting player and he is learning every week," Morrison told West Brom's official website.
"Once we get his fitness up he will be even better. He is eager to impress because he has been hampered with injury since he came in and I am sure he will be looking forward to having a few games now and then will look forward to next season.
"We joke about the fact we haven’t seen him since that FA Cup Final [in 2013, when he impressed for Wigan] so he has got something to prove to show the fans what he is all about.
"He showed glimpses and if he gets his fitness up he will be a bonus for us."
Tottenham v Manchester City: Pellegrini expecting entertaining encounter
1 May 2015
Manchester City will look to boost their hopes of finishing second in the Premier League when they travel to Tottenham.
City's title defence could be over before they kick-off at White Hart Lane if Chelsea beat Crystal Palace earlier on Sunday, but Manuel Pellegrini insists they are focused on finishing the campaign on a positive note.
Their away form will have to change if the Chilean is to get his wish given City have lost their last four matches on the road in the league, a run that has allowed Arsenal and Manchester United increase the pressure.
Arsenal are only behind City on goal difference with a game in hand, while United could leapfrog their fierce rivals with victory over West Brom on Saturday, placing further emphasis on beating Tottenham.
"It will be a very tough game because Tottenham are a good team with good players and a good manager," he said.
"They play in an offensive way so we must work very hard in defence. They need points to qualify for the Europa League and we must try to be near the top of the table. It is two teams who play well and try to attack.
"We are thinking just to win the next game, this moment we are two points ahead of United so its just depends on what we can do, if we can reach the second place."
The last three meetings between the two sides have been goal-fests with at least five in each encounter, City winning all three and scoring 15 in the process.
Mauricio Pochettino will be concerned by Tottenham's lack of form against Pellegrini's side given their chase for a European place against Southampton and Liverpool.
Tottenham have only won once in their previous four matches and needed a Nacer Chadli strike to earn a 2-2 draw at Southampton last weekend.
"I think that it is important in the next four games to try to take the most points possible," he said. "It is always better if you finish fifth rather than seventh. That is our real target.
"We are focused on trying to finish the season as best as possible."
Pochettino confirmed Danny Rose has returned from a hamstring injury and could feature, but Ben Davies (shoulder) and Kyle Walker (foot) are both out.
City will be without influential midfielder Yaya Toure after he was ruled out with a hamstring problem, joining captain Vincent Kompany (thigh) and forward Stevan Jovetic on the sidelines.
Chelsea v Crystal Palace: Mourinho calm in bid for title glory
1 May 2015
Jose Mourinho says the champagne is not on ice as Chelsea bid to secure the Premier League title in front of their own fans against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Chelsea have dominated domestically this season, losing just twice in the league, and another win would confirm a first top-flight crown since 2010.
A 3-1 come-from-behind victory at lowly Leicester City in midweek left Chelsea on the cusp of a fourth Premier League triumph and a third under Mourinho.
The Portuguese is understandably eager to ensure the task is finished at Stamford Bridge, but stressed it would be foolhardy to feel the job is already done.
"It's easy. We need two or three points to be champions. Let's say three, to make sure we don't depend on goal difference," Mourinho said.
"We need a victory or we need three points with three draws. Obviously, we want to finish as soon as possible.
"If we can do it at home, better. If we can do it on Sunday, even better. That's what we have in our mind.
"Similar to [the games against] Arsenal and Leicester, we go to win but, at this moment, any point that we get is a positive point. So, we are calm.
"At this moment we have nothing prepared [for celebrations], nothing organised."
Chelsea, who are once more without top scorer Diego Costa (hamstring) but welcome back Loic Remy (calf), come up against a manager that has already masterminded a victory over them this season.
Alan Pardew was the manager of Newcastle United when they beat Mourinho's side 2-1 at St James' Park in December.
Since taking over at Selhurst Park in January, Pardew has steered Palace to safety, but he has been left disappointed by back-to-back 2-0 defeats in home matches against West Brom and Hull City.
Pardew has now called on his team to respond in the correct manner and ensure Chelsea's title celebrations are put on hold for at least another week.
"Last weekend was below the group's standard. I didn't even need to tell them, they told me. We didn't reach the levels last week," he said.
"We need to respond following our recent defeats, for ourselves and to keep the Premier League title race interesting."
Palace remain without forwards Fraizer Campbell and Marouane Chamakh (both hamstring), but Joel Ward will hope to shake off a shin injury.
Swansea City manager Garry Monk believes the Premier League is split into two divisions and that his side face an uphill struggle to force their way into the division's elite.
The Welsh club sit eighth, seven adrift of Southampton, who lead the race to be crowned 'best of the rest'.
Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham form a familiar top six, but Monk has his sights set on taking the next step.
"We're all trying to break into the monopoly of the top six or seven, which is very difficult to do," he said.
"Between the rest of us, the margins are very small.
"I look at it as two leagues within the league."
Swansea, who broke their Premier League points record with a victory over Newcastle United last time out, host Stoke City - three points worse off in ninth - on Saturday.
Newcastle United head coach John Carver is looking forward to an opportunity to set the record straight after confirming he will meet with two disillusioned fans at the club's training ground on Friday.
The two supporters were involved in a verbal spat with Carver as they watched the 3-2 loss to Swansea City last Saturday, a game that took place during more protests aimed at owner Mike Ashley.
It marked Newcastle's seventh Premier League defeat on the bounce and Carver is keen to address the fans' concerns ahead of this weekend's match at Leicester City.
He said on Thursday: "I've invited the two lads in, they're coming for a cup of tea in my office [on Friday].
"What I have to say, and I have to put this on record now, I don't want fifty two and a half thousand phone calls now of people wanting to come to see me.
"But I think it's important I speak to these two lads and explain some of my actions. I don't have to, but I think it's important because I can relate to them.
"It'll be interesting to hear what they have to say. It won't all be about me, me, me - it'll be a two-way conversation.
"I think once they see how we do things - I'll show them a bit of preparation for the game without giving them too much information about the team and show them the type of work that goes into the week - they'll get a bit of understanding of what goes into Saturday."
Newcastle are five points above the relegation zone with four games left to secure their top-flight status.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho should be named Manager of the Year, according to Swansea City counterpart Garry Monk.
Mourinho and Co. are on the verge of the Premier League title, with Chelsea one win away from top-flight honours in 2014-15.
And despite criticism of Chelsea's brand of football under Mourinho's guidance, Monk believes the Portuguese boss is "without doubt the manager of the year".
"Chelsea have won the League Cup and they are just about to win the league," said the 36-year-old.
"They have been unbelievable and Chelsea are probably the perfect example of how to win games in different ways.
"This is how you win championships, by having different ways to win and different ways to get results."
Monk added: "They have been excellent, by far the best team in the league.
"They've got a fantastic squad and you can't tell me [Eden] Hazard, [Diego] Costa and [Cesc] Fabregas are boring to watch because if that's the case I'm not sure what we are expecting to see from football in the future.
"But the tactical side is the reason Mourinho has done what he has done in the game, he is superb in that respect.
"It's by no mistake what Mourinho does, you can see what his sides are trying to do and how he sets them up.
"He's got results and trophies for it playing against the elite teams in the world and you can't help but admire that.
Chris Ramsey does not understand why Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is under pressure to keep his job, and he insisted he would gladly swap the stresses of preserving QPR's Premier League status for narrowly missing out on UEFA Champions League football.
QPR are in a race against time to beat the drop, with the London club in 19th place and four points adrift of safety heading into Saturday's trip to Anfield.
At the opposite end of the table, Liverpool - who fell two points short of the Premier League title last term, are fifth in the standings with four matches remaining and look set to miss out on Champions League qualification.
Liverpool were also dumped out of the FA Cup semi-finals by Aston Villa in April, but Ramsey said he "would really love to have the pressure Rodgers has got".
"I don't know how you guys work if I'm being honest. He's at a big club, he's done very, very well," the QPR boss told reporters.
"He said it himself the other day - three months ago he was a tactical genius. You don't become a bad manager overnight.
"We understand there is pressure on them because they are a huge club with big expectations.
"But the pressure is on us really because we don't want to go out of the division.
"The implications of going out of the division are huge so I think we actually have much, much more to lose than him."
Ramsey added: "I think he's done a good job. He's a young man and for what he's achieved and how he's influenced the game in England, his bravery has been remarkable and the flak that he's getting is unwarranted.
"When you are at a big club the expectation is so great that you only have to slip up once or twice and people are writing you off but knowing him and his self-belief I'm sure that Liverpool will always be near the top.
"If you watch his teams play they've always played attractive football and he's been very humble with that as a person.
"He's been fantastic for the Premier League and it would be good to see more young managers of his ilk.
"I wish I had done half the things he has had done in his career."
John Carver has revealed that he has received support from Derby County manager Steve McClaren, the favourite to replace him at Newcastle, as he attempts to arrest the Tyneside club's alarming slide.
A club-record run of seven consecutive defeats has left Newcastle looking anxiously over their shoulders towards the relegation zone with five Premier League matches remaining.
McClaren has been strongly linked with a move to St James' Park at the end of the season and interim head coach Carver discussed his role with the former England manager at an Under-21 fixture between the two clubs on Monday.
Carver said: "Yes, I spoke to Steve McClaren at Derby. I had a good chat with Steve McClaren.
"We didn't talk about anything other than my situation and about what my players are doing on the pitch. It was all about me and how I had to cope with it.
"He said, 'It's been a difficult thing for you, John, I understand that. But you've handled it quite well. You've had to cope with it'."
When asked if McClaren had declared his interest in the Newcastle job, Carver stressed: “No, no, absolutely not. Absolutely, 100 per cent. He just asked how I was coping with it, how I was dealing with it.
"Steve and I go back - and Steve Round [a part-time coach at Derby] and Paul Simpson [Derby assistant coach], who were there - we were all on that same Pro Licence course together.
"When you go on these courses and spend two weeks with them, living with them, you get to know them. I spoke to the other two lads as well.
"It was all about the situation here. There was nothing about what all the rumours are or anything like that. Because they had to give me some respect as well.
"Whether they are in for it or not, they have to give me the respect so they were never going to talk about anything like that."
Newcastle face a trip to fellow strugglers Leicester City on Saturday, while McClaren's Derby need a point at home to Reading to seal a place in the Championship play-offs.
Paul Scholes does not believe Manchester United should make a move to bring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford.
Pogba left United in July 2012 after opting against signing a new contract, allowing him to move to a Juventus team with whom he now enjoys a starring role
The France international has been strongly linked with a switch away from the Serie A champions, with United among the clubs linked with the midfielder.
Paris Saint-Germain are reported to have agreed an €80million fee for Pogba, and Scholes feels that fee is too steep for United to consider signing him.
"I don't feel they should go back to sign Pogba for the sums being talked about having lost him for the compensation payment," Scholes wrote in his column for The Independent.
"I understand that Chelsea did the same when they bought back Nemanja Matic from Benfica, but his fee was nothing like the numbers quoted for Pogba. It would feel wrong to me."
Scholes feels his decision to come out of retirement was partly responsible for Pogba's United exit.
"I think my return to the team, and the game time Paul got, was a small part of it," he added.
"As I recall, the home game to Blackburn Rovers on 31 December 2011, a surprise defeat for United as it turned out, had been a key moment in Paul's thinking.
"Paul was on the bench and very frustrated that he had not started the match. So by the time I came back into the side in January he might well have made up his mind that he was leaving.
"But I don't suppose it helped having an old boy come back into the team in front of him.
"The reality was that he had not played well enough to deserve a regular place before then because, if that had been the case, our manager would undoubtedly have selected him.
"Although I never spoke to Sir Alex [Ferguson] about the details, the understanding in the dressing room was that Paul's advisers just asked for too much money for his next professional deal.
"They wanted first-team money for a player who was not in the first team at that stage. United felt that was not right and stuck to their principles.
"He left that summer and very quickly established himself at Juventus, which can happen. You have to give Juventus credit for giving him the opportunity."
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes it was "unfair" that Manchester City were not hit with a points deduction for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
City were hit with a £49million fine last year for failing to come into line with FFP guidelines, which came into effect in the 2011-12 season.
Mourinho, though, thinks docking points would be a more effective deterrent than hitting clubs in the pocket.
"When Manchester City pays off 50 millions of fine because they exceeded the FFP, I think it's unfair. FFP should be fulfilled and that's it," Mourinho told the Daily Mail.
"[Violators] should be punished with loss of points. Our owner [Roman Abramovich] wants to fulfil FFP. He doesn't want to enter these dynamics of paying the fine.
"FFP benefits clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern, who have a big fan base and get huge revenues on sponsorship and merchandising. At Chelsea, for instance, we refuse to pay any fine. We live with what we produce.
"I feel really well about that. It forces us to be better, to manage better our resources, to live with what we create.
"It forces us to think more. We have to sell in order to buy, to be aware of what you sell and what you buy."
Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Liverpool have consulted specialists in the United States amid reports that Daniel Sturridge is to undergo a hip operation.
Sturridge's season has been blighted by injuries, which have restricted the England international to just 18 appearances in all competitions.
The former Chelsea man has struggled with calf, thigh and now hip problems and it remains to be seen when he will return.
"We've found some underlying issues related to Dan's problems," said Liverpool manager Rodgers.
"Staff here are liasing with great medics in America.
"Daniel wants to be available, it is unfortunate for him on the back of how fantastic he was last season."
Sturridge's last Liverpool appearance came in the FA Cup quarter-final victory over Blackburn Rovers on April 8, when the striker substituted after 85 minutes in a 1-0 win.
Hull wouldn´t have a team bus without Allam - Bruce
1 May 2015
Steve Bruce has defended Assem Allam amid fresh criticism, claiming Hull City would not have a team bus let alone a team if it were not for the club's owner.
Allam has had a testing relationship with Hull's supporters, largely due to his desire to change the club's name to Hull Tigers.
Hull boosted their hopes of staying in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Liverpool at the KC Stadium on Tuesday, but a section of supporters chanted against Allam.
Manager Bruce feels the owner deserves more praise for the money he has spent on making Hull a Premier League side.
"I've said repeatedly without the owner, let alone a team beating Liverpool, we wouldn't have a team bus." he said. "We wouldn't have a team playing in the Premier League, the biggest and best league in the world.
"Unfortunately there's a bit of an undercurrent for certain issues. The name change is one. But without the owner and something like the £70million of his own money he's put in the club there wouldn't be a club.
"There's not many people out there that would put £70million into Hull. It's frustrating for him I understand that.
"There's always ripplings at a football club. We have to park that for the time being, we shouldn't let it overshadow a great achievement against Liverpool, that doesn't happen too often in our club's history.
"It's unfortunate but we have to focus on what we've got ahead and bring these issues to a head in the summer or the pre-season when it's not affecting the games and the outcome."
Back-to-back wins have seen Hull climb to 15th and four points clear of the drop zone, but Bruce - whose side host Arsenal on Monday - knows the job is not done yet.
"Six weeks ago we couldn't get a win," he added. "It can happen to anyone - top or bottom - that's how hard this league is and we've found it difficult. But back-to-back wins this late on in the season has given us a chance.
"We've still got four games to play. We need results. Last week teams around us did so it's all still to play for. It's exciting from afar. If you're involved you have to come out fighting."
