Barnsley Steve Cooper

Steve Cooper frustrated by missed chances

29th December
First team

Steve Cooper and his Swansea City players were left nursing a sense of frustration at failing to take their chances in the goalless draw with Barnsley.

After a slow start, the Swans grew into their final game of 2019 but were unable to take the chances they managed to create.

Sam Surridge hit the crossbar from distance in the first half, while Andre Ayew had a point-blank header kept out by Samuel Radlinger in the Barnsley goal.

The result still leaves the Swans just a point outside the play-off places, and five points better off than they were at this stage of last season.

But head coach Cooper said there was a lingering disappointment in the home dressing room.

“Frustration is the overriding feeling,” said Cooper.

“We knew it would be a game where there would be some tiredness, I think that is normal at this time of year in the Christmas period.

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“We had talked about needing to be clinical and productive in moments but we did not take those chances.

“We did have chances and the keeper made some good saves, but we are disappointed as we backed ourselves to score and win the game.

“We had the lion’s share of the big moments, that’s what we aim to do whether we are home or away, but you have to create those moments and take them.

“That’s why the boys are frustrated in there, because we felt we did enough to win it.

“We are all a bit frustrated we did not score and get a 1-0 win where we could just move on.

“We did turn ball over on too many occasions compared to what is our normal style, and Barnsley have come here in good form, but we still expect to win the game.

“We are just disappointed we have not managed to score today.”