Steve Cooper | Focus is on the team, not individual recognition

Steve Cooper says Swansea City’s focus is solely on their development as a team rather than any individual accolades or plaudits following a good start to the new season.

Head coach Cooper has been shortlisted for the Sky Bet EFL Championship Manager of the Month award, while defender Mike van der Hoorn has been nominated for the player award for August.

The Swans have made an unbeaten start to the season and resume Championship hostilities with a home meeting against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

And Cooper – while praising the performances of new dad van der Hoorn – was keen to focus on the collective as Swansea look to continue to progress.

“Mike has become a father during the international break, which is brilliant news,” said Cooper.

“That’s the most important thing in his life at the moment and we have all congratulated him on that.

“He has done really well, and I can see why people are talking about his performances, particularly as he has had an assist and he scored on the opening day.

“But Mike will be the first to say that, first and foremost, he is part of a back four that is performing really well with the goalkeeper, in a team that is very committed.

“Everything we do is about the collective in the way we play and the way we work, it isn’t about individuals and the players are driving that culture as much as anyone.

“He is a great lad, Mike. I really like working with him every day, as I do with all the boys.”