Steve Cooper | Defeat a missed opportunity

Steve Cooper felt his Swansea City side paid the price for failing to kick on from a bright start as they fell to defeat at Stoke.

The visitors had started firmly on the front foot and had control of proceedings with Conor Gallagher and Bersant Celina going close.

But they were unable to find the goal their dominance merited, and Stoke grew into the game.

And second-half goals from Sam Clucas and James McClean ensured Swansea left the Potteries with nothing.

“We are disappointed, the game was definitely there for us to win with the way we started,” said head coach Cooper.

“The atmosphere in the crowd was against Stoke, and we should have capitalised on that.

“In the end, after a good start where we looked quite threatening, we did not continue that and did not do enough to score goals.

“So we are disappointed with ourselves that we did not build on that, and if you don’t win you have to make sure you don’t get beat.

“We have not done enough from the throw-in to win the ball back, it’s ended up on the edge of the box and from there you can run the risk of conceding.

“The second goal is one that can happen when you are chasing the game.

“But the way we started, it was an opportunity to go for the kill. It will be one we look  back on as a missed opportunity.”