Steve Cooper | Defeat hurts but we are still in the hunt

12th July 2020
First team
Leeds (H) Steve Cooper

Steve Cooper admits Swansea City’s last-gasp defeat to Leeds United was hard to take, but has told his side there is still all to play for in the Championship play-off race.

The Swans had looked to be on course for a valuable point against the leaders, one which would have seen them climb into the play-off places and put their promotion fate firmly in their own hands.

However, they were dealt a cruel blow when Pablo Hernandez’s bobbling effort crept past Freddie Woodman’s despairing dive and found the net via the inside of the post in the 89th minute.

The result means the Swans remain just a place and a point outside the top six with three games remaining.

And, while Cooper acknowledged there was a lot of hurt in the home dressing room, he was at pains to make clear nothing has been decided yet and there is no reason Swansea cannot make sure they are in those play-off places come the end of the campaign.

“We felt comfortable in the game, they had a couple more clear chances than we did but I felt we got it right tactically,” he said.

“We are really disappointed, to concede like we did that late on is tough to take.

Leeds (H) Cooper Bielsa

“But we have got to get over it quickly because there are points to play for, and that would have been the case whether we won, drew or lost today.

“There were a lot of good bits in the performance. I would have liked us to keep the ball better, but it’s a tough game and there are tired legs against a very good team.

“I thought both teams were set up well, so for them to get through right at the end is disappointing after the effort and commitment from the boys, and some of the football we played.

“I would have liked a bit more of the ball second half for us to keep it better, and they did give us chances to get on to their defending players.

“But things are as they were in the table.

“If we had won, nothing would have been decided. It was all to play for, and it still is.

“It is probably going to go down to the last game and hopefully we are in the mix.”

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