Cooper sets Swansea City goal challenge

18th July
Cooper sets Swansea

Steve Cooper has challenged his Swansea City players to get in on the goalscoring act this season after giving them a licence to get forward.

Oli McBurnie was the Swans' top scorer with 24 goals in all competitions last season, with Bersant Celina (eight) the only other player to manage more than five.

Head coach Cooper wants to see a number of players chip in by getting on the scoresheet with regularity during the upcoming 2019-20 season, and avoid an over-reliance on any one player or area of the pitch.

Midfielder Jay Fulton signalled his intent with a hat-trick in the 6-1 win over Yeovil, while the likes of George Byers, Barrie McKay and Wayne Routledge have also found the net during the early stages of pre-season.

And Cooper has revealed he wants his side to be willing to get themselves in the box, or take aim at goal, when the opportunity presents itself.

"There is no doubt that last season we were probably a bit too reliant on Oli to score goals," said Cooper following the win at Huish Park.

"Ideally we want goals coming from all areas of the pitch, so was good to see that from Jay.

"George scored at the weekend for us too, albeit from a set play, but it gives them confidence.

"We have given the players a licence to get forward and give us more bodies high up the pitch and you could see that tonight and to get goals at the end of that is good.

"We have set that challenge to the players to provide goals from all areas of the pitch.

"So if we are doing that in pre-season then the message is being taken on board, and we want to maintain that throughout the season."