Steve Cooper | We got what we wanted

Swansea City head coach Steve Cooper reckoned he “got what he wanted’ out of the club’s opening pre-season friendly.

The Swans left their Spanish base for the short trip across the Portuguese border to take on Mansfield Town and concluded a hard week’s training camp with a 2-1 win.

Nicky Maynard put the League Two side ahead in the 35th minute only for Wayne Routledge to equalise on the stroke of half time.

Barrie McKay then grabbed the winner two minutes from time to round off a good workout under the strong Portuguese sun.

It was an exercise that pleased Swansea’s new boss.

“There’s a greater good to the game,’’ explained Cooper.

“There were lots of things we wanted to get out of it. It was our first game and the boys wanted to get back into match rhythm. If you are doing that and winning, then we’ll take it.

“We got what we wanted out of the game. We implemented some of the work we’ve started doing on the training field, while the physical side of it is always a big part.

“I thought we played some good stuff as well. We created some good chances and what I liked about the ones we created was that’s how we wanted to play.

Wayne runs in behind, rounds the ‘keeper and scores. Barrie comes in off the line, plays a combination and a good finish. That was pleasing.’’

Cooper fielded different sides in the respective halves of the game, although one change was enforced as young Jordon Garrick limped off with a hamstring injury after 31 minutes.

“The plan was to get everybody on the pitch for 45 because you are still working physically,’’ added Cooper.

“There’s no better way to get physical work done than by playing a game.

“We got exactly the returns we wanted from the game. There were some really good bits and some bits we know we’ll get better at.

“But it’s 45 minutes in the bank and all in all a good day.’’

There was one negative to come out of the game with the loss of Garrick, who will be assessed further on his return to Swansea next week.

“We’ll get him checked out, but hopefully it’s not too serious that he’s out for too long," said Cooper.

“He was having a big impact in the game, but he is not on trial here. We will look forward to getting him fit again and working with him throughout the season.’’