Steve Cooper

Solidity a big plus for Steve Cooper

12th August
First team

Steve Cooper may have been frustrated not to take all three points at Derby, but the Swansea City head coach was pleased by the solid defensive showing against the Rams.

The Swans kept their first clean sheet of the season, with goalkeeper Freddie Woodman making a key first-half penalty save as the game ended goalless.

The 22-year-old also made a sharp double stop after the break, as the hosts were limited to just three shots on target, the same number as managed by the Swans.

Cooper felt his visitors could and should have made more of several promising situations, but he had no complaints about how Swansea had performed without the ball.

“If we don’t hit the heights with the ball, we have to make sure we do so without the ball,” he said.

Steve Cooper

“I thought against Derby we were excellent and not just in terms of defending our box, but in terms of the pressing as well.

“That created opportunities to hit them on fast attacks, and that’s just where I was slightly frustrated but I was really pleased with the boys.

“They gave their all and they looked like they were proud to play for the football club, and they were cheered on by some brilliant support again, which we always appreciate.

“We showed we can be a solid unit, the boys should take belief from that and allow us to progress even more.”