Cooper rues lack of creativity

14th September
First team
Steve Cooper

Swansea City boss Steve Cooper felt his side had lacked a cutting edge in the final third in their defeat to Nottingham Forest.

The Swans had 63 per cent of possession against the Reds at the Liberty Stadium, but registered just one shot on target through Andre Ayew’s 72nd minute strike, which was saved by Brice Samba.

Forest only had two efforts on target, with one of those enough to settle the game as Lewis Grabban seized on a loose pass to set up Alfa Semedo for a late winner.

And Cooper admitted his side had not made enough of their dominance when it came to their share of the ball and territory.

“I think we struggled at the top end of the pitch,” he said.

“I think we had enough possession and good positions, but on the day we lacked a little bit of creativity, a little bit of risk-taking and a little bit of confidence to go and make a difference up there.

Steve Cooper

“Ultimately it cost us because we did not create enough good chances.

“We could see that as it was going on and that’s the bit you have to exploit when you have a lot of possession and you are allowed to go up the pitch.

“We are more than capable of that, as we have shown, but today it didn’t happen.

“The game went as we thought, we knew Forest can create chances, but we know they are happy not to have the ball and sit on the edge of their own area.

“They are good away from home so we knew we would come up against good numbers in and around their box, and you have to match them with numbers and then you have to try and make a difference.”