Steve Cooper Middlesbrough away

Steve Cooper | We are disappointed with the result and performance

2nd December
First team

Steve Cooper admitted his Swansea City side had turned in a disappointing performance as they were beaten 2-1 at Middlesbrough.

A Duncan Watmore brace – one via a deflection, the other at the end of a counter-attack – ensured the home side took the three points at the Riverside Stadium.

Yan Dhanda had pulled a goal back for the Swans with a deflected effort of his own, and the Swans had a good spell of pressure as they pushed for an equaliser, but it was not to be.

And the Swansea head coach gave an honest assessment of the display on Teesside.

“It was disappointing, from the start really I did not think we were ourselves,” said Cooper.

Steve Cooper

“In the end we did not manage to improve and we gave away two really poor goals.

“We probably did not create enough either, so there aren’t many positives to take out of the game.

“I am disappointed, the players are disappointed and they know we have dropped our standards tonight.

“If you don’t play anywhere near your level you are going to get punished.

“It was self-inflicted and we cannot blame anyone other than ourselves tonight.

“We were well short.”