Steve Cooper | We need to bring energy to our performance

Steve Cooper says Swansea City will need to be ready to match the enthusiasm of an “energetic” Barnsley side at the Liberty Stadium this afternoon.

The Swans host the Tykes in their final fixture before Christmas, a game that will end a relentless run of nine games in 28 days with the relative luxury of a seven-day gap until the Boxing Day match at QPR to follow.

Cooper and his side are looking to bounce back from a flat display in their midweek defeat at Derby, and to extend a six-match unbeaten streak in their own back yard.

They take on a Barnsley side who have won their last three games to climb into the top half of the table, just four points off the play-off spots.

But the Swans have made a habit of responding well to disappointment and adversity, and Cooper wants to see those qualities again.

“We know Barnsley have had some good wins, and won a lot of games since the change of manager,” said the Swansea boss.

“They have a lot of young players looking to play on the front foot and they have had good returns from that.

“They’ve had an extra day of rest than us, that’s the fourth time for us in this schedule. We have yet to have an extra day’s rest ourselves, but we won’t use that as an excuse although it is an important part of things.

“But we have to be ready as they are an energetic side, and we have to try and match that while putting our stamp on it.

“We do a lot of due diligence on the opposition, we watch a lot of games and will have seen a lot of games before we pick the team.

“We will also be focusing on what we do and trying to make sure that is the most important factor in the game.”