Steve Cooper | Belief and focus key in remaining games

Steve Cooper insists Swansea City must stick to the same approach as they face teams with new managers in their Easter fixtures.

The Swans head to the Midlands on Friday to take on Birmingham City before hosting Preston at the Liberty on Monday.

The Blues have a new man in the dug out, with Lee Bowyer returning to the club he served as a player to fill the vacancy left by Aitor Karanka’s departure.

Preston, meanwhile, have appointed Frankie McAvoy as interim head coach following Alex Neil’s exit from Deepdale.

Birmingham sit three points above the relegation zone, but started life under Bowyer with a victory over Reading before defeat to Watford.

McAvoy, meanwhile, takes charge of Preston for the first time this weekend as they face leaders Norwich before heading to SA1.

And Cooper will be hoping his side doesn’t suffer against teams looking to benefit from a new manager bounce over the Easter weekend.

“Our next two games are against new management, so we have to manage that ourselves,” said the Swans boss.

“There may be no real science to it, but there does tend to be a new manager bounce.

“Birmingham are an experienced team with a new manager. They had a good result against Reading.

“Lee knows what he wants from his team, and we have to be ready than that.

“But this time, more than ever, is about believing and focussing heavily on ourselves and that will be our mentality for the remaining nine games.”